It appears more Quarterbacks will be making their final appearances on our weekly Quarterback rankings at XFL News Hub. While Three Quarterbacks made their 2023 debut it appears, two may be done for the remainder of the season due to injury. With three games left in the regular season, Quarterbacks like AJ McCarron, and Jordan Ta’amu have cemented themselves as the league’s most elite passers, while others continue to plague themselves with turnovers, preventing them from taking the next step.
Honorable Mention:
Kevin Anderson and Nick Tiano both pick up honorable mentions after their week 7 performances. Anderson came in, after Drew Plitt injured his knee, completing One pass for 5 yards, with Nick Tiano doing the same due AJ McCarron having headset issues, after falling hard on his shoulder. While Anderson is a veteran of the AAF, and Spring League, Tiano made his professional debut after having stints with the Houston Texans (NFL), Toronto Argonauts (CFL), and Montreal Alouettes (CFL).
10. Jawon Pass San Antonio Brahmas Previous Ranking #8
Stats: 2/6 32 Passing Yards 0 TD 0 INT 0 Rushing Attempts 0 Rushing Yards
Pass came into spell Kurt Benkert, after the newly signed QB, continued to take a beating and simply couldn’t continue for the Brahmas final drive. Pass put together an admirable performance in his short sample while getting thrusted into a seemingly unwinnable situation. With Benkert now out for the season, and Jack Coan still nursing a lower body injury it appears Pass will now be the favorite to lead San Antonio to the playoffs for the final 3 weeks of the 2023 XFL season.
9. Drew Plitt Arlington Renegades Previous Ranking #9
Stats: 19/29 213 Passing Yards 0 TD 1 INT 4 Rushing Attempts 29 Rushing Yards
Plitt becomes the 2nd Renegades QB to have his season completed, as the team placed the Ball State Alum on the XFL reserve list. Plitt was originally ranked at #12, and never really got comfortable throughout the season finishing the season with a 1-2 record over his 3 starts. Plitt continued to struggle pushing the ball down field throwing to his check down early, if 1st option wasn’t open instead of reading his progressions fully. With his 2023 season complete, hopefully Plitt returns for the XFL’s 2024 season to continue developing in hopes of earning an NFL opportunity.
2023 Final Stats: 63/99 (63.6%) 668 Passing Yards 3 TD 4 INT 14 Rushing Att 57 Rush Yards 3 Fumbles
8. Cole McDonald Houston Roughnecks Previous Ranking #4
Stats: 15/32 106 Passing Yards 1 TD 1 INT 8 Rushing Attempts 40 Rushing Yards 1 Fumble
McDonald took a giant step back in his first professional start during week 7. After an electric week 6, The Houston Offense only managed to put together one touchdown, with McDonald at the helm. McDonald finished the day with under 50% completion pct, missing easy throws and often looking frazzled while in the pocket getting sacked twice, and turning the ball over twice. With the status of Brandon Silvers unknown for week 8 as of Monday, the Roughnecks may have to ride the volatile play of McDonald in hopes of clinching the South Division.
7. Kurt Benkert San Antonio Brahmas Previous Ranking #12
Stats: 22/31 179 Passing Yards 1 TD 1 INT 2 Rushing Attempts 7 Rushing Yards 1 Fumble
“Don’t be happy that it’s over, be happy that it happened”, is the best way I’d describe the Kurt Benkert experience in the XFL. After being with the team for about two weeks, Benkert broke 3 ribs and appears to be done for the rest the season per his twitter. After finally looking comfortable, and seeing the Brahmas beginning to gel, Benkert would labor for the majority of the game, due to injury which despite his best efforts could not get the Brahmas a much-needed win. With Jack Coan’s status still in question, it appears Jawon Pass will now be QB1 for week 8, as the Brahmas still remain active for a playoff spot in the Southern division.
2023 Final Stats: 23/37 (62.2%) 181 Passing Yards 1 TD 2 INT 4 Rushing Att 12 Rush Yards 2 Fumbles
6. D’Eriq King DC Defenders Previous Ranking Honorable Mention
Stats: 1/1 12 Passing Yards 1 TD 0 INT 3 Rushing Attempts 20 Rushing Yards
While King’s imprint on the stat sheet may be minimal, his presence was felt throughout the game. King threw one of the most acrobatic Touchdown passes in Football history, while also rushing for 20 yards, and running routes apart of a package that had him with Ta’amu both on the field. Through the seven weeks of the season, it’s clear King is a change of pace/gadget QB for DC, however he continues to make in impact each week, earning a spot on our ranking especially with high flying touchdown pass to Briley Moore.
5. Jalan McClendon Vegas Vipers Previous Ranking Unranked
Stats: 21/31 264 Passing Yards 2 TDs 0 INTs 8 Rushing Attempts 25 Rushing Yards 1 Fumble
With his mother in attendance McClendon gave her and the rest of his family a memory that they’ll have for the rest of their lives. McClendon who prior to week 7, had only recorded 4 professional pass attempts (all with the 2020 LA Wildcats), dazzled and showed the poise of an experienced veteran leading the Vipers to their 2nd win of the season. Despite the Vipers now being eliminated from Playoff Contention, McClendon seems to have full control of the Vegas offense, and could play spoiler to the Battlehawks, Roughnecks, or Sea Dragons in the final three weeks of the season.
4. Ben DiNucci Seattle Sea Dragons Previous Ranking #5
Stats: 21/32 266 Passing Yards 1 TD 1 INT 9 Rushing Attempts 52 Rushing Yards
Despite leading the Sea Dragons to their 5th straight win, DiNucci still managed to make a mistake throwing an interception giving him 14 turnovers on the season. While the Sea Dragons were able to defeat the anemic Renegades, it appears DiNucci continues to “follow the script” by dialing up some beautiful throws while mixing in some head scratching decision making as well.
3. Quinten Dormady Orlando Guardians Previous Rankings #6
Stats: 27/34 328 Passing Yards 3 TDs 0 INTs 8 Rushing Attempts 22 Rushing Yards 3 TDs 1 Fumble
Dormady had possibly one of the greatest games in Alt-Football history totaling 350 Yards and 6 Touchdowns, between the air and ground. Dormady who I’m sure you’ve heard was a part of QB controversy, that at one point took him off the Guardians roster, paving the way for Paxton Lynch, Quinton Flowers, and Deondre Francois, to lead a sputtering Guardians offense. With Shane Matthews now calling plays and Dormady given another week to take control of the offense, the former Chippewa is playing his best football of the season, giving Orlando fans a reason to tune in for the final weeks of the season.
2. Jordan Ta’amu DC Defenders Previous Ranking #2
Stats: 21/29 285 Passing Yards 3 TDs 0 INTs 2 Rushing Attempts 23 Rushing Yards
Back-to-back weeks at the #2 ranking, Ta’amu has continued to progress and elevate his profile as a Quarterback with another strong performance, despite the Defenders getting upset by the Guardians. Ta’amu has found a deadly connection with Chris Blair as the pair connected for 139 yards over the weekend. Despite the loss Ta’amu played one of his best games in 2023, and continues to limit mistakes having not thrown an interception in the past six weeks.
1. AJ McCarron St. Louis Battlehawks Previous Ranking #1
Stats: 26/34 222 Passing Yards 3 TDs 0 INTs 4 Rushing Attempts 5 Rushing Yards
Another week, another top ranking for AJ McCarron. With the Battlehawks in “playoff” mode, McCarron put together another solid performance, driving the Battlehawks Offense to 24 points and a victory against the South Division’s leading team. McCarron who opened the season as the XFL’s #3 ranked Quarterback is a leading candidate for MVP honors and is one touchdown pass away from tying Tommy Maddox (2001 LA Xtreme) for most Touchdown Passes in an XFL season.
For a more in-depth breakdown of this week’s Quarterback rankings check out the video below:
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