What might have been if Luis Perez had started the year with the Renegades? OFFENSIVE LINE C: Michael Maietti, D.C. It’s almost a crime that he didn’t score a single touchdown during the regular season. However, it felt like Arlington never fully maximized his skill set. Salvatore Canella had a strong season with 42 receptions for 415 yards. Latimer was a matchup problem for opposing XFL defenses all season long. Veteran WR Cody Latimer found a new home in the XFL as an on-the-move tight end. Honorable mention: Sal Canella (Arlington Renegades) TE: Cody Latimer, Orlando Guardians (50 receptions, 593 yards, four touchdowns) But you know the league had excellent receivers when Josh Gordon (38-540-4tds) didn’t make the list. Not having both members of the Defenders’ deadly duo of Chris Blair (524 yards, 22.8 yards per catch) and Lucky Jackson (573 yards, five touchdowns) on the first team seems like a criminal act. Shepherd’s route running and hand-eye coordination was top-notch. McCarron and was one of the most reliable players in the league. If not for a highly crowded and talented Battlehawks receiving corps that went seven deep, Hakeem Butler could have been an even bigger monster than he already was during the season.ĭarrius Shepherd came on late in the season he developed a great connection with A.J. You get the feeling that the 4.2 diminutive speedster only scratched the surface in 2023. Jahcour Pearson was an exciting player to watch for Seattle all year long. He scored five touchdowns in his first four games in the XFL. The XFL had several standout receivers, one of whom, if not being injured, Jontre Kirklin, would have been an all-league player. Defenders), Josh Gordon (Seattle Sea Dragons), Juwan Green (Seattle Sea Dragons), Jeff Badet (Vegas Vipers), Blake Jackson (Seattle Sea Dragons), * Jontre Kirklin (Houston Roughnecks) WIDE RECEIVERS Jahcour Pearson (60 receptions, 670 yards, four touchdowns) Hakeem Butler (51 receptions, 599 yards, eight touchdowns) Darrius Shepherd (48 receptions, 519 yards, six touchdowns) Lucky Jackson (36 receptions, 573 yards, five touchdowns) It wasn’t always pretty, but he tied for the league lead with seven rushing touchdowns. A slimmed-down and heavily motivated De’Veon Smith ran hard all season for Arlington. Patrick closed the season with 219 yards rushing in his final three games, 171 after contact, ten forced missed tackles, and four touchdowns.īrian Hill was arguably the most well-rounded halfback in the league. Jacques Patrick, a standout from the XFL three years ago, who has spent time with several NFL teams leading into 2023, finally started to break through later in the season after Kalen Ballage went down to injury. As the fifth leading rusher in the nation in 2021, all Abram Smith needed was the same chance to shine that he got at Baylor. The first-overall selection in the XFL Draft by D.C. The writing was on the wall that Abram Smith would be a superstar in the XFL. Louis Battlehawks), Max Borgi (Houston Roughnecks), De’Veon Smith (Arlington Renegades) Honorable mention: Jacques Patrick (San Antonio Brahmas), Brian Hill St. Defenders (790 yards rushing, 5.0 yards per carry, seven touchdowns) Ta’amu has evolved as a player and leader with his added playing experience. Finished as the second-highest-graded quarterback by PFF and posted the second-best big-time-throw-to-turnover-worthy play ratio (9-to-2) on deep passes. He completed 62 percent of his passes, with a 14 to 3 touchdown to interception ratio, while rushing for 298 yards and three touchdowns. The 25-year-old signal caller was highly efficient and clutch for the 10-1 Defenders, not only as a runner but as a passer. Jordan Ta’amu got better with each passing week this season. Despite the high number of turnovers (18 in 10 games), DiNucci was unstoppable when he was on his game. And he delivered.īen DiNucci, who led the league in passing yards (2,671), deserves much credit for his prolific season captaining the June Jones ship in Seattle. The XFL afforded him the chance to be at the forefront again as a quarterback. McCarron didn’t have an opportunity to be the lead dog in the NFL after doing nothing but win on the college level. His leadership as a defacto coach on the field also stood out significantly.Ī.J. (24) in nine games while completing nearly 70 percent of his passes and throwing for only six interceptions. McCarron also set the record for most touchdowns by a QB in XFL history. Pro Football Focus had McCarron as the highest-graded quarterback in the league. McCarron was arguably the most efficient quarterback in modern-day Spring Pro Football league history. Defenders), Ben DiNucci (Seattle Sea Dragons)Ī.J. Louis Battlehawks (2,150 yards passing, 68.8% completion percentage, 24 touchdowns, six interceptions 30 players receiving the honors, along with some of the league’s best coaches and employees.
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