Arlington, TX – May 5, 2023 – D.C. Defenders quarterback Jordan Ta’amu has been named the 2023 XFL Offensive Player of the Year. Ta’amu helped lead the Defenders to a 9-1 regular season record and a berth in the XFL Championship Game. All of the 2023 XFL awards were voted on by each team’s respective head coach and/or Director of Player Personnel.
Ta’aumu finished the regular season 143-of-229 passing for 1,894 yards and 14 touchdowns with just three interceptions. His interception total was the lowest among XFL quarterbacks with more than 150 passing attempts, while his passing yardage and touchdown totals both ranked No. 3 in the league. Ta’amu was also effective rushing the ball, ranking No. 7 in the XFL with 298 rushing yards and three touchdowns. He ranked No. 2 in the XFL in total offense (215.2 yards per game).
The D.C. offense, with Ta’amu at the controls for much of the season, ranked No. 1 in scoring offense (29.6 points per game), No. 1 in rushing offense (140.8 yards per game) and No. 2 in total offense (343.2 yards per game) in the regular season.
Ta’amu and the D.C. Defenders will face the Arlington Renegades in the 2023 XFL Championship Game. The 2023 XFL Championship Game will be played at 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT Saturday, May 13 at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas and will air nationally on ABC.
In addition to Ta’aumu’s award, the XFL previously announced D.C. Defenders head coach Reggie Barlow as the 2023 XFL Coach of the Year, St. Louis Battlehawks wide receiver Darrius Shepherd as the 2023 XFL Special Teams Player of the Year and Vegas Vipers linebacker Pita Taumoepenu as the 2023 XFL Defensive Player of the Year. The 2023 All-XFL teams will be announced Monday, May 8.