Former Linfield QB Brett Elliott Signs With AFL's SaberCats

After signing with the San Diego Chargers as an undrafted free agent in 2006, Elliott was allocated to NFL Europa’s Rhein Fire by the NFL club.

Quarterback Brett Elliott (4), who threw for 8,614 yards in two seasons at NCAA Division III Linfield College in McMinnville, Ore., attended camp with the San Diego Chargers. Photo courtesy: San Jose SaberCats

SAN JOSE, Calif. - Quarterback Brett Elliott, who threw for 8,614 yards in two seasons at NCAA Division III Linfield College in McMinnville, Ore., signed a free agent contract to play with the defending ArenaBowl champion San Jose SaberCats.

During his two seasons at Linfield, Elliott (6-3, 210) won 23 of his 24 starts and led the Wildcats to the Division III National Championship in 2004. He was a two-time first-team All-American and was twice named the Northwest Conference and West Region Offensive Player of the Year.

“Brett has all the tools to be an exceptional player in this league,” stated SaberCats head coach and general manager Darren Arbet. “We’re excited to have him and anxious to see how he progresses under (offensive coordinator) Terry Malley.”

After throwing for 4,019 yards and 49 touchdowns during his 2005 senior season, Elliott received both the Gagliardi Trophy and Melberger Award as the most outstanding Division III football player. He matched a D-III record with nine 300-yard passing games and twice threw for a school record 528 yards in a game.

During his junior year Elliott established an NCAA record for all divisions by throwing 61 touchdown passes and led the nation with 4,595 passing yards. In just two seasons he became Linfield’s career leader in passing yards (8,614) and touchdowns (110).

Prior to his transfer to Linfield, Elliott was the starter at the University of Utah before a broken wrist two games into the 2003 campaign shelved him for Alex Smith, who would become the No. 1 selection of the San Francisco 49ers in the 2005 NFL Draft.

After signing with the San Diego Chargers as an undrafted free agent in 2006, Elliott was allocated to NFL Europa’s Rhein Fire by the NFL club. He threw for 435 yards on 44 completions in seven games splitting time with former 49ers quarterback Cody Pickett.

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