Tag Archives: topps aaf 2019

AAF, Arena, CFL, NFL

Donahue, Dylan

CARD: Topps AAF 2019
ACQUIRED: TTM 2025, C/o Home
SENT: 3/31 RECEIVED: 11/17 (231 days)
FAILURE: TTM 2020, C/o Home

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • Dylan Donahue was an intriguing tweener who played JUCO at the University of Montana- Western, and Palomar.
  • He transferred to West Georgia in 2015 and was immediately a starter at DE.
  • In 2016, Dylan earned the Gulf South Conference Defensive Player of the Year recording 67 tackles, including 20 for a loss, and 13.5 sacks. 
  • Posted 25.5 sacks and 37.5 tackles for loss over two years with the Wolves, demonstrating some great tools and quickness.
  • Donahue was selected in the 5th round of the 2017 NFL Draft by the New York Jets.
  • He honed his game on special teams and made 5 tackles and a blocked punt his rookie year, playing in only 4 games.
  • Donahue ended the season on IR after injuring his elbow against Jacksonville.
  • Waived by the Jets during cut downs in 2018.
  • Signed with the Atlanta Legends of the AAF in 2019.
  • As part of the league’s leading defense, he posted 3.5 sacks, 7.5 tackles and 1 fumble recovery in 6 contests.
  • In 2020, he spent about 4 months on the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the CFL.
  • Continued to chase his football dreams, playing for the Billings Outlaws of the CIF.
  • Suffered an ACL injury in 2023 and was placed on IR after just 5 contests.
  • Returned to Outlaws after team joined the Arena Football League in 2024.

NOTES:

Cool card here of Dylan. I had tried previously in 2020 after Mark’s Signing Bonus had scored an autograph from him but never got a response, so after 5 years, I thought I’d give it another shot. When the envelope arrived in the mail postmarked from MT I knew it was him without even opening the envelope. Dylan’s father Mitch played in the NFL from 1991-1994.

AAF, CFL, NFL, XFL

Grant, Doran

CARD: Topps AAF 2019 Certified, Topps AAF 2019
ACQUIRED: Private Break, 2019. Consignment, 2020

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • Doran Grant played college ball at Ohio State from 2011 to 2014.
  • At DB/CB he tallied 140 total tackles, 4 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 19 pass deflections, 9 interceptions for 146 yards and a TD.
  • Selected in the 4th round of the 2015 NFL Draft by the Steelers.
  • Over the next few seasons, Doran was on and off the Practice squad of the Steelers, Bills, Giants, Jaguars, and Bears.
  • Late in 2018 signed with the Atlanta Legends of the AAF.
    • Finished with 12 tackles, 1 tackle for loss and 4 pass deflections in 8 contests.
    • Played for the Defenders of the XFL in 2020 starting one contest.
    • Posted 7 tackles and 1 pass deflection for DC in 5 games.
    • He’d sign with the Blue Bombers after the XFL folded due to COVID.
    • After the CFL cancelled the season due to COVID, he opted out of play.
    • Grant went into coaching where he has been coaching at the high school level.

NOTES:

My friend Seth helped me get Doran way back when he joined the DC Defenders. He said all the players were excited to sign their cards at the team meet and greet. The certified is basically a zoomed up version of his base card. Still it looks good and I am fortunate Seth was kind enough to help me out.

AAF, NFL

Owusu, Francis

CARDS: Topps AAF Certified 2019, Topps AAF 2019
ACQUIRED: Ebay, 2019
TTM 2025, C/o Home
SENT: 4/17 RECEIVED: 5/8 (21 days)
FAILURE: TTM 2019, C/o Home

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • Francis Owusu played WR for Stanford from 2013-’16.
  • He posted 34 receptions for 482 yards and 3 TDs.
  • Signed as an UDFA in 2017 by the Miami Dolphins but didn’t make the roster.
  • Signed to a futures contract in 2018, eventually landing on the practice squad.
  • Joined the AAF San Diego Fleet for the 2019 season.
  • He’d start 2 of 8 contests, catching 7 passes for 80 yards and a TD.

NOTES:

Shoutout to my partner in crime Joe, who helped me get this one. He had a success and so he was kind enough to provide me with the correct address. No clue what the one was I sent to in 2019, but I don’t blame him if he was tired of signing and wanted to take a break. Francis was kind enough to take his time to give me his full autograph in 2025, as opposed to the stack he probably signed shorthand back in ’19.