DB Tanner Varner

Last off-season the Soul made a huge splash by signing All-Arena DB Tanner Varner away from his hometown team the Iowa Barnstormers. Varner did not disappoint as he instantly made an impact on the defensive side of the ball.

After suffering an injury during a Week 8 victory over the Barnstormers, Varner did not suit up again for the rest of the season. In only 7 games, Varner registered 45.0 total tackles, 4 pass break-ups and 5 interceptions--returning two of those for touchdowns. Despite only playing in 39% of the Soul's regular season games, Varner still ranked second on the team in interceptions, third in pass break-ups and fifth in total tackles. He also returned a kickoff back for a touchdown.

Varner was on pace to record 13 interceptions and 116 total tackles which would have put him among the league's leaders in both categories. With Varner on board, the Soul went 2-5 in their first 7 games played. The Soul lost those 5 games by a margin of 10.6 points with Varner. Without him, the Soul lost by a margin of 13.1 points per game in those remaining 7 loses. It may not seem like a world's of difference between the two, but being that the Soul lost 6 games by 7 points or less (three of those loses were by 3 points or less) every little bit would've helped the Soul's cause.

After attending Ellsworth Community College for two years, Varner transferred to the University of Northern Iowa where he flourished. His senior season with the Panthers, Varner record 85.5 total tackles, 13.0 tackles for a loss and 3 interceptions in 2005. Varner received First Team All-American, All-Gateway Conference and  team Defensive MVP honors for his impressive senior campaign.

With little interest from the NFL, Varner was introduced to the sport of Arena Football by former Northern Iowa great John Gregory. Gregory recruited Varner to play for him with the Arkansas Twisters of the AF2 in 2007. Coach Gregory was also responsible for recruiting AFL and NFL great Kurt Warner to play for the Iowa Barnstormers of the AFL from 1995-1997. Gregory's hunch paid off as Varner flourished in his rookie season with the Twisters. He recorded 83.5 total tackles (third on the team), 2 forced fumbles, and finished first on the team with 9 interceptions. Varner was named an All-League Defensive Back for his defensive efforts.

When the Iowa Barnstormers dropped down from the AFL to the AF2 in 2008, both Gregory and Varner left for their home state. Varner would play for the Barnstormers the next two seasons in the AF2 while building off his impressive 2007 campaign. In 2008 Varner led the Barnstormers in total tackles with 91.0 while also adding 7 interceptions and 2 forced fumbles. Then in 2009 Varner led the AF2 in total tackles with 119.5 while recording 8 interceptions and 2 forced fumbles.

The AFL reemerged in 2010 and invited the Iowa Barnstormers to join the newly reformed league. Varner stayed with his roots and continued to produce at an elite level. Varner again led the league with 129.5 total tackles (113 solo tackles) and picked off 8 passes and was later named First Team All-Arena and the Barnstormer's Defensive MVP.

If Varner can stay healthy enough for the season's entirety, he'll really be able to show the Soul and their fans why he was brought in to begin with. Varner's talents and skill set automatically make him a candidate for the Defensive Player of the Year award. Varner's a big part to what the Soul would like to accomplish in 2012 and producing is essential for the AFL veteran in season two with the Soul.