WHEELING – The Wheeling Miners have released their 2026 roster ahead of the American Arena League professional indoor football season opener Saturday against the Columbus Lions in Columbus, Ga.

The 25-player roster includes several players from Ohio Valley Mountain East Conference rivals Wheeling University and West Liberty University. A total of seven players have ties to those schools, with Wheeling having four.

Former Cardinals are linebackers Jake Parry (6-0, 235) and Jayvon Johnson (5-11, 195), along with offensive linemen Justin Nelson (6-4, 290) and Isaiah Lewis (6-1, 315). Parry played his high school football at Buckeye Trail, while Lewis is also listed as a defensive lineman.

The former Hilltoppers trio is led by placekicker Josh Wilson (6-0, 180), wide receiver Isaiah Robinson (6-3, 180) and fullback Charles Westbrook (5-11, 212). Wilson is a Wheeling Central graduate and Martins Ferry native, while Robinson hails from nearby Washington, Pa.

The roster is completed with quarterback Darryl Clark (6-5, 225) who played four seasons at Penn State where he started the last two seasons, passing for more than 3,000 yards and two dozen touchdowns in his final campaign with the Nittany Lions. He finished his career 444 of 738 (60.2 percent) for 5,742 yards, 43 touchdowns and 16 interceptions. He played his high school football at Ursuline in Youngstown.

In addition to three-year veteran Robinson, other wide receivers are Alex Coleman (5-10, 200, Capital University), Rainius Daramola (6-1, 195, Mary Hardin-Baylor) and Tylin Oden (6-5, 220, Virginia State). Oden is also listed as a quarterback.

Other offensive linemen are Kam Wright (6-5, 355, Ohio University), Cayden Burger (6-4, 320, Elmhurst University) and Douglas Tucker (6-6, 305, San Diego State).

Defensive lineman include Dioh Desuah (6-2, 275, Seton Hill University), Shaun McGee (6-3, 230, University of Georgia/Tuskegee University), Raymond Cutts (6-4, 238, Troy University), Colton Ryan (6-4, 260, Cortland State) and Cameron Dixon (6-0, 255, Lackawanna College/Clarion University). McGee is also listed at defensive back.

In addition to Parry and Johnson, another linebacker is Andy Plowden (5-9, 230, Thiel College). He is also listed at fullback and defensive line.

The defensive secondary features safety Dante Mason (5-8, 165, Delaware Valley University), along with defensive backs Joseph Taylor (6-2, 185, William Patterson University), Myron Mounds (5-9, 185, Akron University), Devonte Tinsley (6-0, 178, Averett University) and Kendrey Thurmon (5-7, 175, Southern California).

On the exempt list for the season opener are linebackers Arrington Woodard (6-3, 205) and Keller Papillon (6-0, 220, Thiel College).

The Miners are entering their third season in Wheeling and their second in the AAL. They previously competed in the AAL2 (Nov. 2023 to July 2024) with an undefeated season and league championship. They also were members of the National Arena League (NAL) in the 2025 season. Following that season, the Miners joined the AAL.

Wheeling will make its home debut on Saturday, May 2 when the defending AAL champion Jersey Bearcats visit WesBanco Arena.