University of Tennessee Athletics
Bullard, Palardy Play For Brooklyn In FXFL
October 07, 2014 | Football
A pair of Vols are set to suit up for the Brooklyn Bolts of the new Fall Experimental Football League (FXFL). Alex Bullard and Michael Palardy will debut in the new professional football league, which kicks off this week.
The Brooklyn Bolts will play at MCU Park, home of the minor league baseball Brooklyn Cyclones, located on the historic boardwalk at Coney Island. Brooklyn is one of four teams in the league, joining the Boston Brawlers, Omaha Mammoths and the Blacktips, a traveling team. The Bolts open vs. Boston on Oct. 15 in Brooklyn.
Bullard played in preseason games with the Detroit Lions while Palardy was in a camp with the Oakland Raiders.
At Tennessee, Bullard played in all 12 games and started 11 at left guard in 2013. After transferring home to play at Tennessee in 2011, Bullard played in all 36 games, making 25 starts. The Nashville native was a versatile lineman, who also saw time as a tight end in 2012. As a senior, Bullard helped the Vols to 2,261 rushing yards in 2013, the most by UT since 2004. With Bullard, the Vols' offensive line allowed just 23 sacks over the last two years, including just eight in 2012, the fourth fewest in the NCAA at 0.67 per game.
Palardy was a standout specialist for the Vols in 2013 handling all three kicking duties (one of only seven in the FBS to do so). He was named an All-SEC honorable mention punter after posting a 44.5 average on 63 punts in 2013. A Ray Guy Semifinalist, Palardy led the nation in punts inside the 20-yard line with 33. He also had 19 punts of 50 or more yards, the most by a Vol in 10 years. As a kicker, Palardy made 14-of-17 field goals and 34-of-35 extra points for 76 points.
The Coral Springs, Fla., native finished second in career punting average at Tennessee with 42.9 mark. He was third in field goal percentage, making 37-of-50 for 74.0 percent. His 37 made field goals ranked seventh all-time at UT.
