2021 IFL Playoffs Are Full of Former XFL, TSL, and FCF Players

The 2021 Indoor Football League season has been arguably the best we have seen from an arena style league in a long time. There could also be a debate about the talent level is something before unseen.

Of the 8 playoff teams, 7 have players that were either recently in the XFL, The Spring League, or the Fan Controlled Football League. Some also have previous NFL and CFL experience.

Now you could say the talent had always been there, these other alternative leagues finally gave more eyes to it. It is definitely a myth that if you’re not in the NFL or CFL that you’re not talented, that’s been proven over the last few years.

Situations determine success more than talent does. These alt leagues give many players the situations they need, and since the AAF folded and XFL was lost to the pandemic, The Spring League and these arena-style leagues are all that’s left stateside at the moment.

We won’t even begin to talk about all the talent internationally.

The following is a list of all the 2021 IFL playoff teams by their seed, with the former XFL/TSL/FCF/AAF players that at least spent some time this season on their rosters (the 4th seeded Iowa Barnstormers were the only team without a player who fit the criteria):

1. Arizona Rattlers

• T.J. Edwards QB FCF Beasts
• Troy Pelletier WR AAF Atlanta Legends
• Dillion Winfrey WR/DB FCF
• Ernesto Lacayo K XFL Seattle Dragons
• Boogie Roberts DL XFL LA Wildcats

2. Massachusetts Pirates

• Aarion Maxey-Penton DB TSL Generals
• Ahmad Dixon DB XFL LA Wildcats
• Alejandro Bennifield QB AAF Memphis Express
• Da’Sean Downey DL Arizona Hotshots
• Dontez Byrd WR AAF Memphis Express, XFL Seattle Dragons
• Jordan McCray OL XFL Tampa Bay Vipers
• Justin Stockton RB AAF Arizona Hotshots, XFL NY Guardians
• Marquis Lucas OL AAF Orlando Apollos, XFL Tampa Bay Vipers
• Martez Carter RB XFL LA Wildcats
• Santos Ramirez DB XFL Seattle Dragons
• T.J. Barnes DL XFL NY Guardians
• Toby Johnson DL XFL NY Guardians

3. Frisco Fighters

• Damarcus Wilson DB TSL Blues
• Sione Teuhema DE AAF Arizona Hotshots
• Jerrod Heard QB/WR XFL Dallas Renegades
• Alonzo Turner DB TSL Alphas
• Maea Teuhema OL AAF San Antonio Commanders, XFL Dallas Renegades and NY Guardians
• Octayvius Miles WR XFL NY Guardians
• Tyrell Thompson OL XFL Dallas Renegades

5. Duke City Gladiators

• Jestin Kelly RB TSL
• Gionni Paul LB Seattle Dragons
• Donte Rumph DL FCF
• Taylor Tappin OL TSL Aviators

6. Spokane Shock

• Troy Evans Jr WR FCF Beasts
• Dwayne Wallace OL XFL LA Wildcats, TSL

7. Bismark Bucks

• Lawrence Omolayo OL TSL

8. Souix Falls Storm

• Alonzo Moore WR XFL Seattle Dragons

So if this year is the first that you have watched arena-style football, you’re seeing something special. If you’re not watching, you’re missing out.

Or has everyone who hasn’t been watching all this time been missing out on this kind of talent?

I’d argue the ladder.

The IFL Playoffs kick off next weekend, 8/28.