With the 2025 UFL College Draft on Wednesday, it strikes me as an appropriate time to look back on the first XFL Rookie Draft, held last June, to see how those teams did in their selections. A couple of notes: First, these picks were made with the idea that the XFL and USFL would be separate entities in 2024. Had they stayed apart, more of these players likely would’ve gotten opportunities. Instead, with the reduction in the number of roster spots available across spring football, competition for those spots increased and many of these players were left on the outside looking in.
Secondly, the USFL’s version of the Rookie Draft, known as the College Draft, was held prior to its second season in 2023. They did not hold a draft between the end of their last year and the beginning of the UFL. Therefore, I’ll only be analyzing the XFL teams and the impact of the results of their draft on the 2024 season in this column.
Arlington Renegades
Player
UFL 2024 G/GS
Comments
WR Sy Barnett, Davenport
0/0
One of the final Renegades cuts in training camp, signed with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the CFL in May
QB Connor Degenhardt, New Haven
0/0
Arlington opted against bringing him in after acquiring Lindsey Scott and Holton Ahlers; went to Massachusetts Pirates of IFL
DL Ami Finau, Maryland
0/0
Was also a Houston Gamblers draft pick in 2023; signed by CFL’s Edmonton Elks in January
DB Jalen Green, Mississippi State
0/0
Signed late in 2023 USFL season by Gamblers, a day before being drafted by Arlington. Didn’t sign anywhere for ‘24
WR Charles Hall, Arizona State
0/0
Protected by Renegades in Dispersal Draft, Hall was released toward end of camp and hasn’t resurfaced
OL James Jackson, South Alabama
0/0
Surprising that Jackson has been idle for the last year
OL Jordan Rhodes, Arkansas State
0/0
Nothing of note on Rhodes’s career since being drafted by Arlington
LB Merlin Robertson, Arizona State
0/0
Another surprise that Robertson has been out of the game for a year
LB Chris Whittaker, Incarnate Word
0/0
Didn’t wait to see what would shake out with merger: Signed with Edmonton in December
LB Jordan Wright, Kentucky
0/0
Was not protected by Arlington in Dispersal Draft but signed in early February. Came to camp but was released in first cuts
Analysis: Not much to see here. Only three of the 10 even made it to training camp for the Renegades. Some of these selections seemed solid at the time but didn’t pan out. The uncertainty surrounding the merger led some to make the trek north to the CFL, and others to decide to hang up their cleats entirely. That must be taken into account when discussing each team’s draft picks.
Undrafted gems: Arlington inked six undrafted players following the draft, and they got more bang for their buck there. OT Noah Henderson turned out to be a worthwhile pickup as he started five games and played in three others. LB Noah Taylor was the only other undrafted player to get an invite to Arlington training camp.
D.C. Defenders
Player
UFL 2024 G/GS
Comments
P Paxton Brooks, Tennessee
10/0
Went through some growing pains in his first pro season, but ultimately performed well enough
G Matt Carrick, Michigan State
0/0
A Dispersal Draft protection of Defenders, Carrick made it to final cuts before he was released
OT Alex Jensen, South Dakota
0/0
Also drafted by Houston Gamblers in 2023; suited up for neither Houston nor D.C.
WR CJ Johnson, East Carolina
0/0
In camp with D.C. but couldn’t crack the receiver rotation and was let go in first cuts
LB Kaleb Oliver, Western Kentucky
0/0
Headed north and signed with Ottawa Redblacks after not being selected in UFL Dispersal Draft
OL Jack Plumb, Iowa
0/0
Protected by Defenders in Dispersal Draft but didn’t make it past first cuts
CB Bentlee Sanders, Nevada
0/0
Went to minicamp with the Tennessee Titans on a tryout basis in 2023. That was his last football sighting
LB Mohamed Sanogo, Louisville
9/5
Climbed his way up depth chart from healthy scratch in week one to starter by the latter part of the year
WR Ty Scott, Missouri State
10/3
Developed into needed big-play receiver for D.C.; consistency will be key in year two
WR Trea Shropshire, UAB
0/0
Signed by D.C. before camp after not being protected; failed to make the team
Analysis: No team got more out of its draft class than D.C. P Paxton Brooks was serviceable and will likely get brought back for a second season in 2025. Momo Sanogo and Ty Scott were both valuable contributors, with both working their way into the starting lineup toward the end of the season. They may get looks from NFL teams this summer. Others were at least brought to camp to compete for a roster spot
Undrafted gems: D.C. picked up just four undrafted players, and only one survived the merger. Louisville OL Adonis Boone couldn’t beat out others at the position for a spot on the 50-man roster.
San Antonio Brahmas
Player
UFL 2024 G/GS
Comments
TE Jahleel Billingsley, Texas
0/0
Spent a few days in the CFL in summer of 2023; wasn’t invited to camp by new San Antonio coaching staff
OT Brendan Bordner, FAU
0/0
Brought to Canada by Hamilton Tiger-Cats in January after being passed over in UFL Dispersal Drafts
WR Carlos Carriere, Central Michigan
0/0
Signed with Hamilton of CFL last summer but didn’t see game action
CB Darrious Gaines, Western Colorado
0/0
Former Denver Bronco undrafted free agent signing hasn’t popped up anywhere since this draft
S RJ Hubert, Utah
0/0
Has seemingly moved on from football when no UFL teams came calling after merger
LB Lorenzo McCaskill, Kansas
0/0
Protected by new staff in Dispersal Draft but didn’t end up making it to camp with so much roster turnover on team
G Dylan O’Quinn, Cincinnati
0/0
One of two Brahmas draft picks not to sign letter of intent with XFL before merger
WR JuanCarlos Santana, Tulsa
0/0
Like McCaskill, protected in Dispersal Draft and pass over for training camp opportunity; signed with Hamilton in CFL in February
RB Chris Smith, Louisiana
0/0
A third player protected by Brahmas but who did not receive a training camp invite
S Dillon Thomas, Missouri State
0/0
After failing to secure training camp invite following Dispersal Draft protection, Thomas signed with Ottawa in February
Analysis: Another team with a big swing and a miss, though obviously there are extenuating circumstances: These players were drafted by the previous San Antonio regime, and the new staff populated the roster with their own hand-picked players. Many of these draftees didn’t fit what they were looking for at those positions. The Brahmas made a bunch of claims and had their off-season roster at over 100 at one point as they continued to shuffle out the 2023 Brahmas. In the end, while some of these players were protected in the dispersal draft, they didn’t end up getting invited to training camp.
Undrafted gems: Only three players were claimed during this process, two of whom were protected, though neither traveled down to Arlington to participate in preseason practices.
St. Louis Battlehawks
Player
UFL 2024 G/GS
Comments
S Nico Bolden, Kent State
6/0
Waived at final cuts but brought back in late April when injuries hit defensive backfield
WR James Bostic, Ohio
0/0
Protected in Dispersal Draft, released on March 10 among first set of camp cuts
LB Johnny Buchanan, Delaware
0/0
Another protected in Dispersal Draft, Buchanan was injured early in training camp and placed on IR March 4
WR Darion Chafin, Incarnate Word
0/0
Signed in late February around the start of training camp, was one of the last receivers released before the season
C Jacob Gall, Baylor
0/0
Promising offensive lineman did not sign letter of intent with XFL before merger, indicating a lack of interest in playing
TE Kemore Gamble, UCF
0/0
Dispersal Draft protection brought in to compete at TE in training camp but didn’t make team
DE Matthew Jester, Princeton
0/0
Wasn’t brought to camp by Battlehawks; got a tryout at FB in Denver Broncos rookie minicamp this May
RB Kevon Latulas, Missouri State
1/0
Cut in camp, re-signed when Mataeo Durant went on IR; generally a weekly inactive as third RB
DE Jadrian Taylor, UTEP
0/0
Battlehawks protected a lot of their rookie draft picks in Dispersal Draft, including Taylor, though he was released in first cuts
CB Anthony Witherstone, Merrimack
0/0
Had a few stints with Kansas City Chiefs last summer, then went to Battlehawks training camp where he was cut, eventually landing in Winnipeg with CFL
Analysis: Head Coach Anthony Becht spoke highly of Johnny Buchanan before he suffered an injury in training camp. He may be a name to watch for 2025. Bolden and Latulas were only brought back due to injury, as Becht’s preference was to fill roster spots during the season with players that had experience in the system from camp. In Bolden’s six games, all of his snaps came on special teams.
Undrafted gems: Former Harvard RB Aidan Borguet took an early retirement and did not sign a letter of intent with the league last year. Of the seven undrafted claims, only TE Kemari Averett, originally listed as a receiver, made an impact. Averett was on the roster all season as a backup to Jake Sutherland. He ended up being one of the team’s highest-graded special teams players per Pro Football Focus and played 172 offensive snaps across 10 games.
Players drafted by teams that were shuttered in the merger found homes elsewhere in the UFL. Here’s an update on them.
Houston Roughnecks
Player
UFL 2024 G/GS
Comments
DT Jayson Ademilola, Notre Dame
0/0
Signed, along with his twin brother, Justin, by Montreal Alouettes of the CFL in February
LB Austin Ajiake, UNLV
0/0
Currently an Indianapolis Colt, Ajiake was part of four NFL teams’ practice squads in 2023
LB Michael Ayers, Ashland
0/0
Former Seattle Seahawk, signed by Winnipeg for rookie camp in April
OT Quinton Barrow, Grand Valley State
0/0
Also picked by Stallions in 2023 USFL College Draft, but ended up north of the border in Hamilton
DT Momar Fall, CSU-Pueblo
0/0
Doesn’t appear as if his pro football journey has continued
C Ahofitu Maka, UTSA
0/0
Thought to be a decent center prospect, Maka hasn’t shown up anywhere since his NFL tryout last spring
S Alijah McGhee, Minnesota State-Mankato
0/0
Played two games for Ottawa in the CFL in 2023
G Marcus Minor, Pittsburgh
9/9
Selected by Arlington in the Dispersal Draft, Minor held down the LG spot all season
LB Marvin Pierre, Kent State
0/0
Went to camp with Brahmas after being taken in Dispersal Draft, but was let go in first cuts
QB Lindsey Scott, Jr., Incarnate Word
8/0
Joined Marcus Minor in Arlington where he backed up Luis Perez and was put on the field in special packages
Analysis: My guess is the new staff in San Antonio, formerly of Houston, was upset they weren’t able to get QB Lindsey Scott, Jr. in the Dispersal Draft. Instead, he went to Arlington and played sparingly. Another pick here went to the Renegades in the Dispersal Draft, G Marcus Minor. He played a pivotal role on the team’s line.
Undrafted gems: Houston claimed eight players. S Christian Morgan was a third Dispersal Draft selection of Arlington from this group of Roughneck rookies, though he didn’t make it as far as Minor and Scott. Houston’s coaches in San Antonio drafted WR Cody Chrest with the final Super Dispersal Draft selection, but he was cut in camp.
Orlando Guardians
Player
UFL 2024 G/GS
Comments
G Jeremy Cooper, Cincinnati
0/0
Has gone the indoor route, signing with the Massachusetts Pirates of the IFL
LB Kosi Eldridge, Texas Tech
0/0
Is on Abilene Christian’s coaching staff as a defensive assistant
DT Terry Hampton, Arkansas
0/0
Strong as a Hog, but still waiting on a call from a team
DT KD Hill, Mississippi
0/0
Involved in car crash last summer; had right leg amputated below knee
OT Jarrett Horst, Michigan State
8/5
Top pick in the USFL Draft by the Michigan Panthers, Horst was up-and-down as Michigan’s starting LT
S Darius Joiner, Duke
0/0
Signed with CFL’s Toronto Argonauts in February
LB Jacquez Jones, Kentucky
0/0
Not much to be found on his current football whereabouts
CB Keyron Kinsler, Jr., Alcorn State
0/0
Would’ve been a bit of a homecoming for Kinsler, who grew up not far from Orlando
DE Brock Martin, Oklahoma State
0/0
Signed with Raiders after 2023 NFL Draft, but lasted to just mid-May and hasn’t been signed since
C LaQuinston Sharp, Mississippi State
0/0
Joined the IFL’s Bay Area Panthers in February
Analysis: Based on the post-merger interest, or lack thereof, in this group, it’s hard to say Orlando would’ve gotten substantially better had the franchise stuck around. Only Horst found a home, and through the end of the regular season, he was the lowest-graded offensive player on the Panthers according to Pro Football Focus.
Undrafted gems: The most interesting name among the seven claimed after the draft is that of LB Bo Bauer. After UFL teams passed on his services, Bauer worked out at Notre Dame’s pro day this spring, showing off newfound long snapping skills. His work was enough to convince the Washington Commanders to sign him, so he’s now on an NFL roster.
Seattle Sea Dragons
Player
UFL 2024 G/GS
Comments
DT Sam Burt, Kansas
0/0
Hasn’t played a down of football since attending Buccaneers minicamp last May
OT Des Holmes, Arizona State
0/0
Signed by Ottawa of CFL in February, but released in May
DE Malcolm Lee, Kansas
0/0
Edge defender hasn’t found a football home
DT Wes Moeai, Rocky Mountain College
0/0
Hasn’t been able to make the jump from NAIA to the pros
LB Colby Reeder, Iowa State
0/0
Currently working in real estate
RB Titus Swen, Wyoming
10/1
Signed by Memphis in training camp, managed to stick during season as backup
CB Destin Talbert, North Dakota State
0/0
Another player to ply his trade up north, signing with Hamilton in January
WR Chad Townsend, Texas Tech
0/0
The RB/WR hybrid has yet to secure a spot on a pro roster
OT Jazston Turnetine, FSU
0/0
Picked in Dispersal Draft by St. Louis but failed to make it past first cuts
LB Payton Wilgar, BYU
0/0
Cougar team captain has been off pro radar since XFL Rookie Draft
Analysis: Swen would’ve been fun to watch in the run-and-shoot offense Seattle would’ve employed in 2024. Instead, he found himself with Memphis and their struggling offense. His playing time was limited mostly to special teams, playing about 12 snaps per game on offense. Only one other of the 10 even made it to a UFL training camp.
Undrafted gems: Seattle claimed seven, and a few of them were really interesting names that I could’ve seen making noise in Sea Dragon training camp. Alas, none ever showed up on UFL radars.
Vegas Vipers
Player
UFL 2024 G/GS
Comments
G Nick Amoah, UC-Davis
0/0
A Toronto signing in March after spending last spring with the Chicago Bears
OT Desmond Bessent, Buffalo
0/0
Signed a letter of intent with XFL, but not selected in dispersal draft. Picked up by Edmonton in May
LB Dwayne Boyles, UCF
0/0
Another LOI signing passed on by UFL squads
WR Stacy Chukwumezie, Northern Arizona
0/0
Worked out for New York Giants in August after being drafted by Vipers; didn’t lead to signing
DE Jamare Edwards, James Madison
0/0
In his first CFL game, had a strip sack then broke his finger
DT Lorenzo Fauatea, BYU
0/0
Has seemingly moved on from football per his LinkedIn profile
RB TJ Green, Liberty
0/0
The only TJ Green to make it into the UFL is the safety from Clemson
OT Robert Mitchell, North Carolina Central
0/0
One of nine Vipers draft picks to sign LOIs before the merger, though none were brought to UFL camps
S Darrius Nash, Utah Tech
0/0
Found a home with the Rhein Fire in the European League of Football (ELF)
OT Naasir Watkins, Liberty
0/0
Signed with Renegades during training camp but lasted just nine days before being cut
Analysis: It was a big o-fer for Vegas here. That’s not due to a lack of interest on the player side: All but one of the draftees signed a letter of intent with the XFL, theoretically making them available in the Dispersal Draft for the UFL, yet Watkins was the only one to get a bite from a team.
Undrafted gems: It’s worth noting that Vegas head coach Rod Woodson was dismissed days before the Rookie Draft. Therefore, draft picks were made and undrafted players claimed without knowing what system they’d be fitting into. Just three players were claimed post-draft, and none advanced into the UFL.
Final Analysis
Fans always look forward to when their favorite teams have the opportunity to get an infusion of new talent. That’s the exciting part of drafts. The reality, however, is that few of the players drafted in 2023 were difference-makers on their teams in 2024. It doesn’t figure to change much this year. Drafted players will come from the same place as they did in 2023, likely those who were invited to minicamp tryouts with NFL teams but who were not signed.
They’ll have to compete, if they make it to training camp (which, by the way, the rosters for camp could be smaller for 2025 than even in 2024), with returning players and other new players, many of whom will be those that were in training camp with NFL teams throughout the summer, released and not signed to practice squads. Unlike in NFL drafts, where most picks end up making teams, UFL draft picks won’t have that same pedigree.
