2023 XFL San Antonio Brahmas Punter Brad Wing (XFL)
The following is a team-by-team recap of UFL free-agency signings from Feb. 6.
Arlington Renegades
LB Jordan Wright
CB Duron Lowe
Jordan Wright spent his six-year collegiate career at the University of Kentucky and was a three-year starter. In 54 career games, Wright totaled 168 tackles, 25 tackles for loss, 15 pass breakups, 9.5 sacks, and five forced fumbles. He was elected one of seven team captains for his super-season campaign with the Wildcats in 2022. He went undrafted in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Duron Lowe, who started his collegiate career at Butler Community College,was a two-time All-C-USA honorable mention selection at UTEP before transferring to Liberty for his final season of eligibility in 2021. Lowe totaled 31 tackles, six passes defended, and two interceptions during his only season with the Flames. He went undrafted in the 2022 NFL Draft and has since spent time with the Los Angeles Rams and Kansas City Chiefs.
Outlooks: Wright and Lowe are both young players who can be depth pieces on the Renegades’ defensive unit. Lowe also provides value on special teams – having been a return specialist in college.
Memphis Showboats
WR Josh Vann
Josh Vann spent five seasons at the University of South Carolina – totaling 108 career receptions for 1,352 yards and 10 touchdowns in 57 games. On 19 career punt returns, Vann averaged 12.6 yards per attempt. He earned Fourth-Team All-SEC honors for his performance in 2021 – the most productive season of his collegiate career, which saw him lead the team with 43 receptions for 679 yards and five touchdowns. He went undrafted in the 2023 NFL Draft and signed with the Carolina Panthers for training camp.
Outlook: Vann is a deep threat with tons of potential out of South Carolina. He joins a Showboats’ receiving corps consisting mainly of returning players from last year and former New Orleans Breakers receivers with John DeFilippo taking over.
Michigan Panthers
OT LaColby Tucker
LaColby Tucker was a standout at the XFL Combine last summer before earning an opportunity with the Atlanta Falcons during training camp. He was later released. Tucker started his collegiate career at Garden City Community College, where he was a JUCO All-American and ranked the 12th-best JUCO offensive tackle. He transferred to Missouri Southern State for his final collegiate season in 2020 before declaring for the NFL Draft – going unselected.
Outlook: Tucker will need to use his towering 6-9 313 lbs frame to his advantage to secure a roster spot on the Panthers for the upcoming season.
San Antonio Brahmas
RB Anthony McFarland
DT Jacob Sykes
P Brad Wing
Anthony McFarland was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL Draft. Unfortunately, he struggled with injuries over his run with the Steelers – seeing action in just 17 games over four seasons. Injuries also hindered much of his collegiate career at the University of Maryland. Regardless, he put together 1,648 yards and 12 touchdowns on 245 carries as a two-year starter with the Terrapins.
Jacob Sykes was a First-Team All-Ivy League honoree before transferring to UCLA for his final season of collegiate eligibility. With the Bruins, he recorded 29 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, and one sack in 13 games (six starts). He spent time with the Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted free agent in 2023.
Brad Wing was the XFL punting average leader in 2023 before earning an opportunity with the Pittsburgh Steelers over the summer. Wing, 33 years old, has punted 336 times in his NFL career – averaging 44.7 yards per attempt and landing 103 punts inside the 20.
Outlooks: Barring injuries, McFarland can be a key piece in the Brahmas’ offense at tailback. Sykes will have to prove himself during training camp if he wants a spot in San Antonio’s stacked defensive line rotation. Wing is currently unopposed at his position.
