Thunder Acquire Former NFL Receiver Perez Ashford

Courtesy of Portland Thunder
Image © Portland Thunder

PORTLAND – The Portland Thunder have been assigned former NIU standout receiver and kick returner Perez Ashford, head coach Mike Hohensee announced on Thursday.

“Perez is a talented receiver with the knack to make great catches,” said Hohensee. “His return ability is an added asset that will provide us with depth at that position as well.”

Ashford (5-11, 182, Northern Illinois) arrives in Portland following offseason stays with three NFL clubs, including the Cleveland Browns, New England Patriots, and Seattle Seahawks. Perez also spent part of 2014 with the BC Lions of the CFL.

Perez will enter his first season in the AFL in a Thunder uniform following an impressive four year career with the Northern Illinois Huskies. Ashford was a prominent piece of the Huskies offense and special teams during what could be argued as the Chicagoland school’s most successful period, from 2009 to 2012. Ashford won back to back MAC titles in 2011 and 2012, and also appeared in NIU’s 2013 Orange Bowl loss to Florida State, which denied the Huskies a perfect 13-0 record that season.

In his 48 games for Northern Illinois, Perez hauled in 110 passes for 1,192 yards and four scores as the Huskies main possession receiver. Ashford also tallied 410 yards and one touchdown from 34 career kick returns.

A native of Shaker Heights, Ohio, Ashford was teammates with current Thunder receiver Martel Moore at NIU..