The 2023 XFL Regular Season is Officially Underway -- Here Are Some Players to Keep an Eye Out For

The 2023 XFL Regular Season is Officially Underway — Here Are Some Players to Keep an Eye Out For

The NFL might be gone until September, but that doesn’t mean we’ll be without football for the next six months – that’s right, the 2023 XFL regular season is officially underway and it has many in the football community excited for what’s in store. The league has come a long way since going bankrupt in 2020. 

Now under new ownership – which includes Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson – the 2023 XFL regular season began on February 18 and will continue until April 23. The 10-week regular season features eight teams (each of which play 10 games) with four of those teams advancing to the Division Finals on April 29-30. 

The winner of the South Division (either Houston, Arlington, San Antonio, or Orlando) will meet the winner of the North Division (either St. Louis, DC, Vegas, or Seattle) on May 13 for the XFL Championship – marking the end of the XFL’s third season. St. Louis is already off to a 2-0 start after the first two games.

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Notable Players to Watch During the 2023 XFL Regular Season

The 2023 XFL Regular Season is Officially Underway -- Here Are Some Players to Keep an Eye Out For
via Instagram (@ajmccarron)

In preparation for the 2023 XFL regular season, XFL personnel evaluated more than 6,000 players across the country at various showcases, camps, and tryouts. They eventually brought that number down to 1,700 players who were added to the player pool for the 2023 XFL Draft on November 15-17 of last year.

Of those players, 528 of them made their way to a preseason roster, with each team starting training camp with up to 80 players. Training camps began on January 8 and teams were tasked with bringing their roster down to 50 players by February 10. Eight days later, the regular season was underway. 

With roughly 400 players on an XFL roster, there’s a lot of talent out there and it’s already making for some exciting football. Most of these players are either college standouts who never got a chance in the NFL or former NFL players who are no longer in the league. Either way, these guys know how to ball!

Here are some of the most notable names to keep an eye out for during the 2023 XFL regular season – let’s see how many you recognize!

20. Luq Barcoo

Luq Barcoo is a 24-year-old cornerback who plays for the San Antonio Brahmas of the XFL. He spent two years at Grossmont Community College before transferring to San Diego State. In 2019 (senior), he had 9 interceptions and 16 passes defensed – both of which led the country. He went undrafted in 2020.

Over the past few years, Barcoo has played for five different teams – Cardinals, Jaguars, 49ers, Chiefs, and Jets. He only played in 3 games and made 1 start in the NFL, all with the Jaguars. He struggled to stay on a roster, but is hoping his time in the XFL will turn some heads and bring him back to the NFL.

19. Will Hill III

Will Hall III is a 32-year-old safety who plays for the Arlington Renegades of the XFL. He played three years of college football at the University of Florida under head coach Urban Meyer. He had 48 tackles and 2 interceptions his freshman year and helped Florida win the 2009 BCS National Championship. 

Hill went undrafted in the 2011 NFL Draft, but played for the New York Giants and Baltimore Ravens between 2012 and 2015. In the NFL, he played in 50 games and made 32 starts, totaling 221 tackles and 4 interceptions. He also played in the CFL, AAF, and was drafted by St. Louis in the 2020 XFL Draft.

18. P.J. Hall

P.J. Hall is a 27-year-old defensive tackle who plays for the Seattle Sea Dragons of the XFL. He played four years of college football at Sam Houston State and was First-Team All-Southland each year – he was even a finalist for the 2016 Buck Buchanan Award as a junior. He came into the NFL with a lot of promise.

Hall was drafted by the Oakland Raiders in the second round of the 2018 NFL Draft. Over the next three seasons, he played in 40 games and started 27 games, totaling 82 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, and 2.5 sacks. Injuries and off-the-field issues (including an arrest) resulted in him fading out of the NFL. 

17. De’Vante Bausby

De’Vante Bausby is a 30-year-old defensive back who plays for the Arlington Renegades of the XFL. He played high school ball at Hogan Preparatory Academy in Kansas City, MO and college football at Pittsburg State. Despite a good college career, the cornerback went undrafted in the 2015 NFL Draft. 

Bausby would end up playing in 26 games and making 6 starts in the NFL between 2016 and 2020 – he played for the Chicago Bears, Philadelphia Eagles, Denver Broncos, and Arizona Cardinals. He had 60 tackles and 8 passes defensed during his time in the NFL and is now looking for a second opportunity.

16. Sean Davis

Sean Davis is a 29-year-old free safety who currently plays for the Houston Roughnecks of the XFL. He played high school ball at Maret School in Washington D.C. and college ball at the University of Maryland. During his four-year college career, he totaled 319 tackles, 5 interceptions, and 2.5 sacks in 50 games.

Davis was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft and spent the next five seasons with the team. During that time, he played in 64 games and made 42 starts, totaling 5 interceptions and 259 tackles. He played for three teams in 2021 before fading out of the league. 

15. Kyle Sloter

Kyle Sloter is a 29-year-old quarterback who currently plays for the Arlington Renegades of the XFL. He played high school ball at Mount Pisgah Christian School and college ball at Southern Miss (two years) and Northern Colorado (two years). He threw 2,656 yards and 29 TDs as a senior for Northern Colorado.

Sloter went undrafted in the 2017 NFL Draft, but signed with the Denver Broncos several weeks later. Over the next five seasons, he spent time with the Broncos, Vikings, Cardinals, Lions, Bears, Raiders, and Jaguars, but never played in a single game. He spent a year as a starter in the USFL last season. 

14. Ryquell Armstead

Ryquell Armstead is a 26-year-old running back who currently plays for the DC Defenders of the XFL. He played high school ball at Millville High School in New Jersey and four years of college ball at Temple University – where he totaled 2,812 rushing yards, 175 receiving yards, and 34 total touchdowns. 

Armstead was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the fifth round of the 2019 NFL Draft. He has played for four teams – Jaguars, Packers, Saints, and Giants – over the past three seasons, making just 1 start in 18 games. He had 188 rushing yards, 160 receiving yards, and 2 touchdowns in his NFL career. 

13. Ben DiNucci

Ben DiNucci is a 26-year-old quarterback who currently plays for the Seattle Sea Dragons of the XFL. He played high school ball at Pine-Richland High School and college ball at the University of Pittsburgh (two years) and James Madison University (two years). At James Madison, he started a total of 29 games. 

DiNucci was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the seventh round of the 2020 NFL Draft and spent the next two seasons with the team. He only played in 3 NFL games and made 1 start for the Cowboys in 2020. In those games, he totaled 219 yards, 0 touchdowns, and 0 interceptions. Now, he’s in the XFL. 

12. Johnny Townsend

Johnny Townsend is a 28-year-old punter who currently plays for the Orlando Guardians of the XFL. He played high school football at Boone High School in Orlando and college ball at the University of Florida. His younger brother, Tommy Townsend, recently won the Super Bowl with the Kansas City Chiefs. 

Townsend was drafted by the Oakland Raiders in the fifth round of the 2018 NFL Draft. He played for seven teams over the next four seasons, only playing in 21 games during that span – he was the Raiders’ starting punter in 2018. He hasn’t played since 2021, but is now playing in the XFL for his hometown.

11. Eli Rogers

Eli Rogers is a 30-year-old wide receiver who currently plays for the Orlando Guardians of the XFL. He played high school ball at Miami Northwestern High School and four years of college ball at the University of Louisville. He didn’t receive a lot of attention out of college and went undrafted in the 2015 NFL Draft. 

After the draft, he was signed by the Pittsburgh Steelers and spent the next four seasons with the team. During that time, he had 78 catches for 822 yards and 4 touchdowns – including 594 yards and 3 TDs in 2016. He played in the XFL in 2020, the CFL in 2021, and the USFL in 2022. Now, he’s back in the XFL. 

10. Jordan Ta’amu

Jordan Ta’amu is a 25-year-old quarterback who currently plays for the DC Defenders of the XFL. He played high school ball at Pearl City High School and college ball at the New Mexico Military Institute (two years) before transferring to Ole Miss for two seasons. He threw for 3,918 yards and 19 TDs as a senior.

Ta’amu went undrafted in the 2019 NFL Draft, but quickly signed with the Houston Texans. He spent 2020 in the XFL with the St. Louis Battlehawks before returning to the NFL, where he played for the Chiefs, Lions, Commanders, and Panthers for the next two seasons. He spent a year in the USFL in 2022. 

9. Cody Latimer

Cody Latimer is a 30-year-old wide receiver and tight end who currently plays for the Orlando Guardians of the XFL. He played high school ball at Jefferson Township and three years of college ball at Indiana University – where he had 135 catches, 2,042 yards, and 17 touchdowns in 32 games played (24 starts). 

Latimer was drafted by the Denver Broncos in the second round of the 2014 NFL Draft and spent the next seven seasons in the NFL with the Broncos, Giants, and Commanders. He recorded 70 catches for 935 yards and 6 touchdowns in the NFL and won a Super Bowl title with the Broncos in Super Bowl 50 (2016).

8. Marquette King

Marquette King is a 34-year-old punter who currently plays for the Arlington Renegades of the XFL. He played high school ball at Rutland in Georgia and college ball at Fort Valley State. He was a wide receiver until his junior year, when he started to practice punting. He shined at the position during his senior year. 

King went undrafted in the 2012 NFL Draft, but quickly signed with the Oakland Raiders and spent five years as the team’s starter between 2013 and 2017 – he played 80 games and punted the ball 426 times during that span. After a brief stint with the Broncos, he played for the XFL in 2020 and is now back. 

7. Matt Elam

Matt Elam is a 31-year-old safety who currently plays for the Orlando Guardians of the XFL. He played high school ball at William T. Dwyer in Palm Beach Gardens and three years of college ball at the University of Florida – he had four interceptions as a junior and was a top-rated safety in the 2013 draft.

The Baltimore Ravens would end up selecting Elam with the 32nd overall pick in the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft. He had an impressive rookie year, but struggled the following season and eventually faded out of the league. He also had stints in the CFL and IFL, as well as the XFL in 2020 and now 2023.

6. Kalen Ballage

Kalen Ballage is a 27-year-old running back who currently plays for the San Antonio Brahmas of the XFL – he’s one of the better-known running backs in the league right now. He played four years of college ball at Arizona State, where he totaled 1,984 rushing yards, 684 receiving yards, and 29 total touchdowns. 

Ballage was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the fourth round of the 2018 NFL Draft. He played in 52 games and made 8 starts over the next four seasons – also playing for the Jets, Chargers, and Steelers. He recorded 665 rushing yards, 293 receiving yards, and 7 total touchdowns in his NFL career (so far).

5. Paxton Lynch

Paxton Lynch is a 29-year-old quarterback who currently plays for the Orlando Guardians of the XFL. He played high school ball at Trinity Christian Academy and three years of college ball at the University of Memphis. He threw for 8,863 yards and 59 TDs and added 687 rushing yards and 17 rushing TDs.

Lynch was drafted by the Denver Broncos with the 26th overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft. He only started four NFL games over the next two seasons, throwing for 4 touchdowns and 4 interceptions for the Broncos. He eventually faded out of the NFL and had stints in the CFL and USFL before joining the XFL.

4. Martavis Bryant

Martavis Bryant is a 31-year-old wide receiver who currently plays for the Vegas Vipers of the XFL. He played high school ball at T.L. Hanna in South Carolina and three years of college ball at Clemson University. He finished his college career with 61 receptions for 1,354 yards and 13 TDs in 37 games. 

Bryant was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the fourth round of the 2014 NFL Draft. He spent the next four years with the team, but was suspended for the entire 2016 season – he also spent the 2018 season with the Raiders. In 44 NFL games, Bryant recorded 145 catches for 2,183 yards and 17 touchdowns. 

3. Josh Gordon

Josh Gordon is a 31-year-old wide receiver who currently plays for the Seattle Sea Dragons of the XFL. He played high school ball at Lamar High School and two years of college ball at Baylor University. He didn’t play during his junior year after transferring to the University of Utah, but was still highly sought-out.

Gordon was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the second round of the 2012 NFL Draft. He led the NFL in receiving yards in his second season with the team – he had 1,646 yards. Unfortunately, he struggled to receive consistent playing time due to his marijuana use, despite having the raw talent to succeed. 

2. AJ McCarron

AJ McCarron is a 32-year-old quarterback who currently plays for the St. Louis BattleHawks of the XFL. He played high school ball at St. Paul’s Episcopal School and four years of college ball at the University of Alabama – where he was a three-time BCS National Champion, twice as the starting quarterback.

McCarron was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the fifth round of the 2014 NFL Draft. Despite his success at the collegiate level, he only made four starts during his seven-year career in the NFL. His last completion was in 2020 and, while his NFL career is likely done, he now finds himself in the XFL. 

1. Vic Beasley

Vic Beasley is a 30-year-old linebacker who currently plays for the Vegas Vipers of the XFL. He played high school ball at Adairsville in Georgia and four years of college ball at Clemson University. As of today, he holds a Clemson record for the most career sacks with 33.0 – he led the nation with 13.0 in 2013.

Beasley was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons with the No. 8 overall pick in 2015. While he only had 4.0 sacks as a rookie, he led the league with 15.5 sacks in his second year with the team – helping to lead his team to a Super Bowl appearance. He has 37.5 career sacks in the NFL, as well as 37 tackles for loss. 

NFL Stars React to XFL Opening Weekend

The start of the 2023 XFL season was a major success, especially considering the history of the league – let’s not forget, the XFL went bankrupt just a few years ago. While it still has a long way to go, it received a lot of positive reviews and feedback from some worthy NFL stars since the regular season began. 

For example, two of the NFL’s best wide receivers – Tyreek Hill and A.J. Brown – took to Twitter to voice how pleased they were with the league. Hill tweeted “XFL lit though,” while Brown admitted, “Can’t even lie, XFL is really entertaining’ – adding a popcorn emoji. That’s some worthy praise from some of the best.

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That’s not all. Former NFL wide receiver Chad ‘Ochocinco’ Johnson also chimed in – saying “Really enjoying the XFL & the opportunity for these fellas to get to or return the big stage on Sundays.” It’s great to see the XFL back in action and it’ll be interesting to see where the league goes from here. 

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