Arlington, TX – May 4, 2023 – Vegas Vipers linebacker Pita Taumoepenu has been named the 2023 XFL Defensive Player of the Year. All of the 2023 XFL awards were voted on by each team’s head coach and/or Director of Player Personnel.
Taumoepenu led the XFL in forced fumbles with four. He was also No. 2 in the XFL in sacks, racking up 7.5, including three sacks in a game vs. the Orlando Guardians in a 35-32 Vegas victory. Taumoepenu was tied for No. 6 in the XFL in tackles for loss with eight, while also tallying 26 total tackles throughout the regular season.
In addition to Taumoepenu’s award, the XFL previously announced DC Defenders head coach Reggie Barlow as the 2023 XFL Coach of the Year and St. Louis Battlehawks wide receiver Darrius Shepherd as the 2023 XFL Special Teams Player of the Year. The 2023 XFL Offensive Player of the Year will be announced Friday. The 2023 All-XFL teams will be announced Monday, May 8.
