22 Players Sign Letter Of Intent With XFL, Complete Breakdown Of Each Player

The following players have signed letters of intent with the XFL. Here is a complete break down of each.

DC Paxton Brooks P Tennessee
Paxton Brooks played as a punter for the University of Tennessee, earning recognition as a 2023 NFL Combine Invitee and securing Academic All-American Second Team honors in 2022. Standing at 6-foot-6 and weighing 201 pounds, Brooks improved his punting average across three seasons, peaking at 44.0 yards per punt in 2021 before it fell to 39.1 yards in 2022. He also had an NFL tryout with the Indianapolis Colts, showcasing his ambition for a professional football career.

DC Josh Falo TE USC
Josh Falo had a collegiate football career at USC, where he played as a tight end. Throughout his tenure, he made 18 catches for 246 yards with an average of 13.7 yards per catch, and scored 3 touchdowns. He also managed 2 tackles, participated in 36 games, and started 5 times​​. Standing tall at 6-foot-6 and weighing 255 pounds, he was known for his capability as an effective downfield pass catcher despite facing some setbacks during his college career which saw him off the radar for a while before making a notable comeback by scoring two touchdowns in a game against Utah​​. Falo played five seasons (2017-2021, 2022-2023) for the USC Trojans and was a 2017 Under Armour All-America Game selection coming out of high school​.

DC Bentlee Sanders DC Nevada
Bentlee Sanders, a defensive back from the University of Nevada, stands at 5-foot-9 and weighs 179 pounds. He initially played for the University of South Florida before transferring to Nevada. Over his six-year collegiate career, he amassed 200 tackles, 12.5 of which were for a loss, and recorded seven interceptions, six forced fumbles, two sacks, and two defensive touchdowns. His senior season at Nevada was particularly noteworthy as he led the team with 82 tackles, alongside five interceptions, three forced fumbles, and a defensive touchdown. Despite being Nevada’s top prospect in the NFL draft for that year, he went undrafted but later received rookie minicamp invitations from the Philadelphia Eagles and Tennessee Titans​.

DC Enrique Yenny Romero PK Tecnológico de Monterrey
Enrique Yenny Romero, known as Enrique Yenny, is a skilled kicker/punter from Mexico, noted for his strong leg and leadership on the field while playing for Tecnológico de Monterrey Campus Toluca. He has a height of 6-foot-2, and weighs 220 pounds (100 kg)​​. Enrique won a national championship in 2017 during his college football tenure with ITESM Toluca​​. He later played professionally as a gridiron football kicker for the Reyes de Jalisco in the Liga de Fútbol Americano Profesional (LFA). Enrique Yenny has garnered attention in the football realm to the extent of being discussed in NFL draft circles, but no tryouts.

HOU Elijah Blades DB Buffalo
Elijah Blades, a defensive back, played for the University at Buffalo in 2022, where he appeared in eight games and made three starts. During this time, he recorded 27 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, and four pass breakups. Notably, Blades had six tackles and a pass breakup in games against Maryland and Miami (OH)​​. Before his time at Buffalo, Blades transferred from Texas A&M to the University of Florida, although his tenure there was brief and marked by a tumultuous season where he appeared in only three games​​.

HOU Christian Morgan SS Baylor
Christian Morgan is a notable safety from Baylor University with a height of 6-1 and weight of 211 pounds. During his football career at Baylor, Morgan was recognized on the Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll four times and was named to the 2022 Second-Team Academic All-Big 12​​. His performance statistics in recent times include 3 interceptions, 3 passes defensed, 48 tackles, and 28 solo tackles​​. He’s also clocked a 40-yard dash time of 4.52 seconds, displaying his speed and agility which are critical for his position​​. He spent time with the Green Bay Packers.

HOU Kevin Toliver II CB Louisiana St
Kevin Toliver II is a proficient cornerback who played college football at LSU before transitioning to the NFL. Born on November 24, 1995, in Jacksonville, Florida, Toliver stands at 6-foot-2 and weighs 199 pounds​​. He commenced his NFL journey as an undrafted free agent, signing with the Chicago Bears on May 10, 2018, and made his first NFL start on September 30, 2018, against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. However, he was waived by the Bears on September 5, 2020. Following his stint with the Bears, he had associations with the Denver Broncos, and the Indianapolis Colts, showcasing his skills as a reliable cornerback in the league​​.

SA Robert Barnes LB Colorado
Robert Barnes, a linebacker from the University of Colorado, has played in 53 career games with 17 starts, amassing 145 career tackles, five tackles for loss, three interceptions, five pass breakups, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery, indicating his well-rounded defensive skills​. Before his tenure at Colorado, Barnes transferred from Oklahoma, adding versatility and experience to Colorado’s linebacker group​​. Born on December 3, 1998, and standing with a 40-time of 4.64 seconds, Barnes showcases a solid combination of speed and agility which is instrumental in his performance on the field​.

SA Brendan Bordner OT Florida Atlantic
Brendan Bordner, an offensive tackle from Florida Atlantic University, joined the Owls in January 2022, transitioning as a graduate transfer and making an impact on the field by drawing the start in some games during the 2022 season​. Standing at a height of 6-foot-5 and weighing 305 pounds, he showcased his athleticism and versatility, not only playing as an offensive tackle but also having the ability to play center, offensive guard, and defensive tackle positions​​. Before his time at FAU, Bordner was associated with Rutgers, and post his tenure with the Owls, he declared for the 2023 NFL Draft, reflecting his aspiration to transition to a professional football career​.

SA Luke Ford TE Illinois
Luke Ford, a tight end from the University of Illinois, is recognized as a blocking specialist​. The 6-foot-6, 265-pound player has played in 32 career games with the Fighting Illini, during which he caught 27 passes for 217 yards and scored two touchdowns. In the 2022 season, Ford made 10 receptions for 88 yards, and was also listed on the Senior Bowl watch list indicating his prospects in the football arena​​.

Ford is known for his significant pass-blocking ability, with a grade of 74.2, making him the second-best on the team among players who had at least 30 pass-blocking snaps. His run-blocking grade stands at 48.2, reflecting his balanced skills on the field​​. The tight end, born on September 23, 1999, is seen as an underrated prospect who showcased great potential during the 2022 season, hinting at a promising career ahead​.

SA Matthew McKay QB Elon
Matthew McKay, born on October 21, 1999, is a quarterback who had a dynamic college football journey, starting his career at North Carolina State, then transferring to Montana State, and finally landing at Elon​. His notable performance was seen in a game with Montana State, where he threw three touchdown passes, went 19-of-25 passing for 256 yards with no interceptions, and added eight carries for 61 yards, showcasing his passing accuracy and versatility on the field​. In 2022, while at Elon, McKay completed 61% of his passes for 2,690 yards with 21 touchdowns and four interceptions, displaying a strong passing game and a knack for finding the end zone​​.

Post college, McKay had a stint with the Dallas Cowboys, having been invited for a tryout at their rookie minicamp, indicating his transition towards a professional football career although he went undrafted​.

SA Najee Reams CB North Carolina A&T
Najee Reams, a formidable cornerback from North Carolina A&T, showcased his athletic prowess both on the football field and in track and field during his high school years at Hillside, where he notably finished third in the state of North Carolina Class 4A in the 400m event​​. His college football career at North Carolina A&T was marked by strong defensive performances, including breaking up passes, intercepting passes, recovering and creating fumbles, and making significant tackles, which highlighted his defensive acumen on the field​​. Over the span of 2017-2021, Reams played in 39 games, recorded 106 combined tackles, made one interception, broke up nine passes, and forced four fumbles, reflecting his substantial contribution to the team’s defense​.

Post-college, Reams explored professional football opportunities by attending a rookie minicamp with the Detroit Lions and later made a transition to Canadian football, joining the BC Lions, where his hard work continued to earn him recognition on and off the field​​.

SA JuanCarlos Santana WR Tulsa
JuanCarlos Santana was a prominent wide receiver during his time at the University of Tulsa. Over his collegiate career, he played in 47 games and made 34 starts. Santana achieved over 2,000 career receiving yards, with his total career stats amounting to 2,325 yards and 15 touchdowns on 157 receptions, averaging 14.8 yards per catch. Notably, he had six career games where he achieved over 100 receiving yards, indicating his capacity to perform in high-pressure situations​​.

Standing at 6-foot-0 and weighing 183 pounds, Santana’s physical attributes contributed to his effectiveness on the field. He hailed from Katy, Texas, and his football journey traced back to his high school days at Katy High School​​.

In the 2022 season, Santana made significant strides with 53 receptions for 859 yards, and 7 touchdowns, averaging 16.2 yards per reception, which showcased his ability to make substantial gains per catch and contribute to his team’s offensive prowess​​.

SA Dillon Thomas FS Missouri St
Dillon Thomas, a standout defensive back, initially played for Northern Illinois before transferring to Missouri State University, where he further showcased his football skills​​. At Missouri State, Thomas, standing at 6-foot-2 and weighing around 189 to 195 pounds, had a notable presence in the defensive lineup during the 2022 season, playing in all 11 games and making 8 starts​​. He was honored as the Missouri Valley Football Conference (MVFC) Newcomer of the Week on September 26, and was named the MAC West Defensive Player of the Week on October 4, reflecting his significant contributions on the field​​.

Earlier in his collegiate career at Northern Illinois, Thomas was one of seven Huskies to start all six games on defense in 2020, and in 2019, he appeared in all 12 games on defense, making 38 tackles. He earned his first career interception at Ball State as part of a five-tackle performance, indicating his potential in defensive plays​​.

STL James Bostic WR Ohio
James Bostic had a significant impact as a wide receiver during his tenure with the Ohio Bobcats in 2022, where he played in all 14 games and made 21 receptions with a total of 434 receiving yards, and scored one touchdown. He notably achieved a career-high 136 receiving yards in one of the games, showcasing his capacity to deliver in high-stake situations​​. Standing tall at 6-foot-3 and weighing 230 pounds, his physical attributes were a significant factor in his performance on the field. He hails from Fort Lauderdale, FL, and showcased his abilities right from his high school days​​.

Bostic’s versatility on the field was also highlighted in 2022 as he became a crucial weapon for Kurtis Rourke during the Bobcats’ division title run, demonstrating his capability not only as a receiver but also in other potential positions on the field, enhancing the team’s offensive strategies​​.

Growing up in a football-centric household, Bostic was no stranger to the sport’s demands and expectations. His father, also named James Bostic, was a third-round draft pick in the 1994 NFL Draft and played as a running back for two seasons in the NFL, which likely played a role in nurturing his football aspirations and understanding of the sport from a young age​.

With a background rooted in a competitive football environment and a notable college football career, James Bostic Jr. has laid a solid foundation for his football journey, displaying both potential and performance on the field.

VGS Dwayne Boyles LB South Florida
Dwayne Boyles, a linebacker from the University of South Florida (USF), stands at 6-foot-3 and weighs around 227 to 230 pounds, showcasing his physique as a substantial asset on the field​​. During his time at USF, he emerged as a do-it-all playmaker, notably tallying 67 tackles (4.5 for loss), two interceptions, and two forced fumbles in his last season, reflecting his defensive prowess and ability to disrupt offensive plays​​. Boyles’ playing style is characterized as athletic, aggressive, and smooth, with a keen ability to quickly diagnose plays, take proper angles to the action, and demonstrate a closing burst to effectively tackle opponents​​.

Born on December 7, 1999, in Miami, FL, Boyles has football running in his family, with a cousin who played cornerback at UCF. He also achieved academically, earning his degree in integrated public relations and advertising in 2021, and securing a spot on the USF Athletics Honor Roll in both 2020 and 2021​. Though there isn’t specific information available about his NFL experience, his collegiate performances and football acumen have laid a solid foundation for his professional football aspirations.

VGS Anthony Cioffi DB Rutgers
Anthony Cioffi, born on August 26, 1994, had a diverse college football career at Rutgers University, transitioning through different defensive back positions over his four years. He started as a cornerback during his freshman and sophomore years, moved to free safety in his junior year, and played as a strong safety in his senior season, displaying his versatility and adaptability on the field​​. Standing at 6-foot-0 and weighing around 200 to 205 pounds, his physique complemented his multi-faceted role on the defensive line-up​.

After college, Cioffi pursued a professional football career, notably playing in the Canadian Football League (CFL) for the BC Lions, and later in the USFL where he was selected in the 2022 USFL Draft. His time in the CFL saw him making 23 tackles in a season, reflecting his continuous contribution on the defensive end​​. Although there isn’t extensive information on his NFL experience, Cioffi briefly signed with the New York Jets, which was a notable milestone in his professional football journey​.

VGS Ryan Davis WR Auburn
Ryan Davis was a wide receiver at Auburn University, where he made a significant impact as a reliable pass-catcher during his collegiate career. He set a school record with 178 career receptions and was known for his ability to make defenders miss in the open field, which contributed to his team’s offensive success. Standing at 5-foot-10 and weighing around 189 pounds, his agility and speed were notable aspects of his game.

After college, Davis pursued a professional football career and signed as an undrafted free agent with the New England Patriots in 2019. However, his stint with the NFL was short-lived as he was released during the final roster cutdowns before the season started.

VGS Jamare Edwards DT James Madison
Jamare Edwards, born in Miami, FL, and a product of Carol City High School, transitioned to James Madison University (JMU) for his final college season in 2022 after spending five years at Marshall, three of which he was a starter. At Marshall, he was honored as a two-time All-Conference USA selection, showcasing his football skills at a high level. He was known for his versatility on the field, aligning along the defensive line in various positions and even standing up as an outside linebacker when needed​​.

During his tenure at JMU, he played in all 11 games with 10 starts as a defensive tackle in 2022 and earned Second Team All-Sun Belt Conference and Virginia accolades due to his commendable performance on the field. His contributions were vital in helping JMU transition successfully to the FBS from the FCS, finishing with a notable 8-3 record in their first season at the higher level​​.

Upon concluding his collegiate career, Edwards was drafted by the Vegas Vipers in the 2023 XFL Rookie Draft, marking the start of his professional football journey​​.

VGS Robert Mitchell C NC Central
Robert Mitchell, a notable offensive lineman from North Carolina Central University (NCCU), stands at 6-foot-3 and weighs 305 pounds, showcasing his above-average size and athletic build which are considered significant assets on the field​​. In his senior year at NCCU, Mitchell received an invitation to attend a rookie minicamp from the Cleveland Browns, a milestone that speaks to his potential and the recognition of his skills at the professional level​​. Notably, he was voted as the 2022 MEAC (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) Offensive Lineman of the Year, an accolade that underscores his dominance and exceptional performance on the offensive front, particularly his impressive 90.2% grade on blocking assignments​​.

Mitchell’s football journey took a further positive turn when he was selected by the Vegas Vipers in the XFL Rookie Draft on June 16, marking the commencement of his professional football career beyond college​​.

VGS Darrius Nash S Utah Tech University
Darrius Nash, a former defensive back for Utah Tech University, was chosen by the Vegas Vipers in the 2023 XFL Rookie Draft. During his remarkable senior season in 2022, Nash accumulated 49 total tackles, two tackles-for-loss, and one sack. His college career concluded with 217 total tackles, 13.5 tackles-for-loss, 5.5 sacks, four interceptions, and 18 pass breakups, marking a significant imprint on the program’s history​​.

VGS Brandon Outlaw RB USC
Brandon Outlaw, a multi-talented athlete from Moorestown, New Jersey, showcased his abilities on both the football and track teams during his high school years. He was recognized as a senior wide receiver and running back, making the 2016 NJ Super 100 team, and earning spots on the Philadelphia Inquirer All-South Jersey second team and the Courier Post All-South Jersey second team. Additionally, he won the state’s Mini-Maxwell Award and excelled in track, securing a New Jersey title​.

Upon advancing to college, Outlaw initially enrolled at the University of Virginia before transferring to the University of Southern California (USC). Standing at 5-foot-11 and weighing 175 pounds, he continued his football journey at USC, although his statistics from the 2022 season indicate a lack of recorded rushing or receiving yards over two games played​​.