ERIE, Pa. – Former Gannon tailback/returner Tyler Batts (Homestead, Pa./Penn-Trafford) has signed a professional contract to play for the Cedar Rapids Titans of the Indoor Football League (IFL).

Batts is expected to play as a slot wide receiver for Cedar Rapids which opens its inaugural IFL season in February. The league's schedule is slated to be released in November and will feature games that run from February through July.

Originally a student-athlete in the Gannon basketball program for two seasons (2008-09 and 2009-10), Batts switched his sights to football where he excelled during 2009 and 2010 campaigns. The former Gannon standout still holds the school record for career kickoff return average (21.40). He ranks 11th all-time at Gannon in rushing yards (1,250), 11th in all-purpose yards (2,144) and 19th in points (60) despite playing only 22 career games during a two-year span.

In addition to 10 career rushing touchdowns, Batts was capable of catching passes out of the backfield. He finished his career with 34 receptions for 310 yards. Along with his 21.1 average on 21 career kickoff returns, Batts averaged 10 yards on 14 career punt returns.

Batts' best season came as a senior in 2010 when he was Gannon's leading rusher with 763 yards and six touchdowns, as well as the leading receiver with 32 catches for 279 yards. He recorded the 10th-highest single-season rushing total in school history and the 11th-most receptions in a season. His 82-yard kickoff return against Mercyhurst stands as the third-longest return in school history.

The Homestead, Pa., native was a jack of all trades during his two seasons on the football field. Batts' 1,083 all-purpose yards during the 2010 season represent the fifth-highest total in school history while his 1,061 all-purpose yards in 2009 rank sixth.

The official Cedar Rapids Titans Web site can be found at http://www.cedarrapidstitans.com/home. The official IFL Web site can be found at http://goifl.com.