Gary (5-10, 205, Idaho), who played two seasons with the SaberCats (1998-99), spent the 2000 season away from football. His two-year Arena Football League career totals include 44 receptions for 584 yards and eight touchdowns. He also totaled 33 tackles, three fumble recoveries, two pass break ups and a pair of interceptions on defense. Gary played collegiately at the University of Idaho, where he was a two-time All-League selection and led the Big Sky Conference in receiving with 65 catches for 1,132 yards and 11 touchdowns as a senior in 1994.
He signed with the NFL Atlanta Falcons as an undrafted free agent in 1995 but as released prior to the start of the season. He also signed with the Canadian Football League's B.C. Lions in 1997 but was released during training camp.
Rookie Adrian Luster (6-1, 310, The Citadel) is a powerful young lineman that should add size and strength to the Cobras' offensive and defensive line. He was a two-year starter at defensive tackle for The Citadel and finished his four-year career (1994-97) with 146 tackles, 18 tackles for loss and six sacks. He totaled a career-high 56 tackles and four sacks to go along with a team-high 10 tackles for loss and four forced fumbles as a senior in 1997.
Luster was also the strongest player on the Bulldogs roster, bench pressing 610 pounds and inclining 550 pounds. He posted a vertical jump of 31 inches and was featured in Bigger, Stronger, Faster magazine. He has recently been training in an attempt to set a new power clean world record. Luster went to training camp with the Cincinnati Bengals (NFL) in 1998 but was injured during camp and released prior to the start of the season.
Lytle played in six games for the Cobras in 2000 and totaled seven tackles and a pass break up on defense. He also added three receptions for six yards and a touchdown on offense. Lytle attended Humboldt State University (Arcata, Calif.) and resides in Chico, Calif. in the off-season.
Training camp is set to kickoff on March 19. Carolina opens the preseason with a match-up with the Oklahoma Wranglers on Monday, March 26, 7:30 p.m. at Cumberland County Crown Coliseum in Fayetteville, N.C. The Cobras conclude their preseason slate on Thursday, April 5, 7:30 p.m. with a home game against the San Jose SaberCats at the Entertainment and Sports Arena. Carolina opens the regular season at New Jersey on April 15. -COBRAS-
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