Orlando Ocelots

Ocelots helmet and logo

The **Orlando Ocelots** are an American professional football team based in Orlando, Florida. They are members of the south division of conference two in the North American Continental Football League. The Ocelots appeared in Raven Bowl V against the Toronto Tracers but were defeated 21-28 and haven't reappeared in a Raven Bowl since.

The team was established in 2023 after the creation of the NACFL along with the El Paso Tigers, Montgomery Flames, Cancun Cavers, Rochester Magicians, Milwaukee Guardians, Toronto Tracers, and the Vancouver Astronauts.

## Roster

* **10** Trey Lance
* **54** Larentius Young

**Running Backs**
* **33** Jeff Woodstock
* **28** Derrick Henry

**Wide Receivers**
* **7** Jerry Jeudy
* **9** Courtland Sutton
* **5** Eden Mills
* **1** *Precariot Michaels*
* **11** Boston Elliot

**Tight Ends**
* **87** Kiev Jovic
* **85** Marquez Smith

**Offensive Linemen'**
* **89** Ali Marpet
* **99** *Samson Ezekiel*
* **67** David Pollard
* **72** *Michael Williams*
* **95** Trito Veen
* **64** Tristan Wirfs
* **92** *Oliver Huntley*
* **86** A.J. Howard
* **83** Christopher Johnson

**Linebackers**
* **15** Craig Ball
* **22** *Crowder Tholinson*
* **2** *Chris Evan*
* **19** *Thomas Creighton*
* **12** *Ethan Gregory*

**Defensive Backs**
* **23** Aaron Valeria
* **22** Carlos Crystal
* **37** DeVon Ball
* **26** DeCor Mankins
* **27** Dublin Jones
* **35** Olin Trent

**Special Teams**
* **8** Fox Woodwolf

**Practice Squad**
* Currently vacant

*Rookies in italics*
Roster updated March 1, 2022

## Team history

### Bryce Young era: 2023

#### 2023: 2-10, No. 1 overall draft pick

With Trey Lance opting out of the NFL to join the NACFL, the Ocelots bid $15,000,000 to get Lance. They succeeded and he was named the starter for the Ocelots' 2023 season. The team hired Bryce Young, a draft bust in the NFL, as their first head coach. Young played for the Alabama Crimson Tide successfully and appeared in a college football National Championship with the 2021 Crimson Tide.

Young quickly showed he was not ready for the head coaching job. He controversially called a QB Sneak play in the final 10 seconds on 4th and 9 in Week 1 against the Montgomery Flames, causing the Ocelots to lose 24-28. The Ocelots went on to get their only wins against the Milwaukee Guardians and El Paso Tigers, earning a 2-10 record, a league worst, and the No. 1 overall draft pick the 2024 NACFL draft.

After the season, head coach Bryce Young was fired just a day after Week 12 had ended. Young would never coach or be involved in gridiron in any way following the firing. He finished his coaching career 2-10 with no playoff appearances. The Ocelots hired Brian Flores, the man who filed a groundbreaking lawsuit against the NFL, citing racism. Brian Flores was regarded as an amazing hire by ESPN.

The Ocelots ranked dead last in the final NACFL official power rankings.

### Brian Flores era: 2024-present

#### 2024: 6-6, loss in playoffs

Brian Flores quickly introduced defensive masterminding to the NACFL. Following three weeks into the 2024 NACFL season, the Ocelot defense was ranked No. 1 by ESPN and Fox Sports. Even on the offensive side of the football, Trey Lance was making magic happen. He threw for 4,233 yards, 36 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. He finished fifth in the NACFL MVP race.

Even with the Ocelots' successes on both sides of the football, the team finished 6-6, narrowly earning a playoff berth against the Montgomery Flames. The Ocelots went on to lose that game 19-21.

Following the season, the Orcelots were ranked fifth in the final NACFL official power rankings.