Atlanta Hustle announce their 2024 Roster
Tuba Benson-Jaja returns for his 2nd season as head coach of the Atlanta Hustle. Coach TBJ notched 10 wins and a regular season title in his first go round. With his first full offseason under his belt and a team that knows what to he is expecting, coach TBJ has the boy in purple primed for another big step forward.
George Summers is returning as defensive coach. As the leader and architect of the Hustle's defensive schemes, coach Summers has built a clever and stingy group. They will be building on their league leading 2023 performance with some new innovative sets and the same relentless effort.
Skyler Pitts has been promoted from assistant coach to Offensive lead. Coach Pitts takes over a group of seasoned veterans stacked with talent. He is tasked with harnessing that potential by building cohesion and belief so that they will play for each other. That will steady them through a very challenging Hustle schedule. Expect his offense to share the ball, dictate the pace, exploit the full width of the field, and put a premium on executing fundamentals. Coach Pitts will also have a strong hand in guiding the Hustle defensive offense in collaboration with Coach Summers. The emphasis for that group is turning up the conversation rate.
Ishaan Dave, who splits time with UGA's Jojah men's team, is returning to assist with the Hustle offense. Ishaan is intelligent and even keel. His has the calm and steady energy you want in offensive huddles.
New to the Hustle in 2024 is coach Abbie Roberts. She will be assisting coach Summers with our defense. Coach Roberts has extensive elite ultimate experience with Atlanta Ozone and has been coaching Tanasi, a men's club team, for several seasons. Coach Roberts is cerebral and puts an emphasis on sports psychology concepts to facilitate player's being at their best.
Bradley Seuntjens returns as captain after serving the team in the same role in 2023. Seuntjens is well respected for his professionalism, his quiet intensity, and his toughness. Seuntjens does a great job of connecting with teammates outside of practice to ensure they are supported and engaged. Seuntjens also leads by example on the field where he is known to make timely plays to catalyze his defensive group.
Brett Hulsmeyer takes another step in his fast rising career by becoming a team captain. Hulsmeyer landed on the national stage through game changing defensive play. In 2023 he successfully flexed between offense and defense on the way to putting up top of the league stat production. Most recently Hulsmeyer was selected to represent the red white and blue on Team USA Mixed. In 2024, for the Hustle, Hulsmeyer will anchor the offense, one that he had a lot of input in structuring.
Dean Ramsey is another first year captain for the Hustle. Going into 2023 Ramsey was known for being one of the best deep defenders in the association. Last season his high pointing talents were put to use on offense as well. His elite play making ability in the air paired perfectly with the big armed backfield of Atlanta. In 2024, with Hulsmeyer focusing on O, Ramsey will take on a bigger role in the Hustle defense. Ramsey is out front driving the Hustle to be one of the South's top conditioned groups.
New additions
This year's rookie class includes just four players: Ryan Flick (UGA), Walter Ellard (Berry College), Cam Copeland (Spring Hill College), & Franky Fernandez (Harvard). Returning to the Hustle after a season off are UGA stars Adam Mlller & Aidian Downey
Notable Departures
JP Burns, Matthew Knowles, Max Thorne, Liam Haberfield Miranda Knowles
"O" Line
Back to the Hustle from the 2023 offensive unit are: Austin Taylor, Brett Hulsmeyer, Bobby Ley, Matt Smith, Christian Olsen, & Karl Ekwurtzel. With the departures of Thorne and Haberfield, we will see more of Hayden Austin-Knab and Jeremy Langdon on offense this year. Both are elite two way talents that will make big plays in the midfield and to get possession back. Dean Ramsey & Trip Crowley will play more defense this season.
Welcome Baby Hustlers
We are fortunate to have four new babies join the Hustle family since last year. The Smiths, Ekwurtzels, & Langdons each had a child. Additionally, color commentator and Hustle alum Taylor Minch also had his first child. Congrats to these families. We look to see them on the sideline for years to come.