The Fever is pleased to welcome linebacker Derek Nicholson to the Tri-Cities. Derek is a 2005 graduate of Mt. Tabor High School in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Nicholson was a USA Today All-American second team selection and was regarded as one of the top prep linebackers in the country. He finished his high school career with over 600 tackles which broke the school record which was held by his brother A.J. He was also give a four star rating by Rivals.com and listed as the 30^th best overall player in the country. Nicholson was a member of the North Carolina Shrine Bowl team and was named MVP in that game. He also played for the East squad in the Army All-American game in which he led the East team in tackles. 

Nicholson went on to star at Florida State University playing as a true freshman and later leading the Seminoles in tackles for three consecutive years 2007-2009. He was named all ACC in 2008 and 2009. Nicholson also signed a free agent contract with the Atlanta Falcons in 2009.

The Tri-Cities Fever is proud to announce the signing of Running Back Tyson Thompson.

Thompson played high school football at Irving High School (Texas). As a senior, he rushed for 2,418 yards on 358 carries and was a semi-finalist for the 1999 Texas Class 5A Player of the Year award. He also rushed for 525 yards in a single game against L. D. Bell High School (Hurst, Texas) in 1998, third most in Texas high school history and the most ever by a runner in UIL Class AAAAA (which houses the state's largest schools).

In two seasons at Garden City Community College in Garden City, Kansas, he saw limited playing time but still rushed for 1,063 yards on 159 carries and 12 touchdowns. In his final game at the junior college level, he rushed 25 times for 323 yards and three touchdowns against nationally-ranked Glendale Community College. Thompson closed his collegiate career at San Jose State University, playing in all 11 games with eight starts at running back while also seeing action as a kickreturner. His 811 rushing yards led the team and his five touchdowns were third best.

Thompson was signed by the Dallas Cowboys in 2005 as a reserve running back and kick returner. Although he has been third on the running back depth chart (behind Julius Jones and Marion Barber), he rushed 20 times for 75 yards and was named NFL Rookie of the Week in Week 5 of the 2005 season. He finished the 2005 season with team records for kickoff returns (57) and kickoff return yardage (1,399) while finishing ninth in the NFL with a 24.5 average. His 2006 season was ended after breaking his left ankle in week 8.

On February 28, 2008, Thompson was not tendered a contract as a restricted free agent, therefore becoming an unrestricted free agent.

The Tri-Cities Fever are pleased to announce the signing of Oregon State University standout Jeremy Perry. The offensive lineman stands 6'3" and 324 lbs.

OSU recruited Perry in 2004 out of Hawaii where he was named Offensive Player of the year in the state and was considered the most sought after college recruit out of Hawaii. While at OSU, Perry received a long list of honors. His honors include:

•  2005 Freshman Of The Year in the Pac 10
•  2005 1st team freshman All American
• Lombardi and Outland Trophy watch list
• 3 time All Pac 10
• 2008 Athlon sports Second team All American
• Sporting News named Perry the best athlete in the nation wearing #62

• IFL Transaction Journal