24 More Players Sign XFL Letters of Intent, Including Returning Players, Recap Of Each

ARL Darren Evans DB Louisiana St
Darren Evans transitioned to the XFL, playing as a defensive back for the Arlington Renegades and contributing to their 2023 championship win with notable performances like a game-sealing interception against San Antonio Brahmas​. Before the XFL, he played college football, initially at Nicholls State and then transferring to LSU, where in 2019, he tied for fifth in the FCS with 15 pass breakups and attained a career-high of seven tackles in a playoff win​​. In 2023, he signed with the NFL’s New York Giants as a defensive back​​.

DC Adonis Boone OL Louisville
Adonis Boone played as an offensive lineman for the University of Louisville, listed as a senior in their 2022 football roster​​. He hailed from Daytona Beach, Florida, and was a 3-star recruit from Mainland High School. During his freshman year in 2018 at Louisville, he saw action in four games, playing a total of 12 snaps, allowing one quarterback hit and no sacks​​. Boone’s performance hinted at growth with expectations of him elevating his game for the 2022 season​.

DC Jahlil Brown DB Central Connecticut St
Jahlil Brown, a 6-0, 183-pound defensive back from Baltimore, Maryland, had a notable stint at Central Connecticut State University (CCSU), especially in his senior year when he made the 2022 All-NEC Second Team​​. He was acknowledged as a standout defensive back and a potential 2023 NFL Draft prospect, with a focus on both safety and corner positions​​. In his junior year, he led his team in tackles and was recognized as a 2x all-conference player, drawing interest from NFL teams like the Giants, Chargers, Cardinals, and 49ers due to his remarkable defensive skills​. During a 2022 season game, he had 36 tackles in 11 games with two fumble recoveries, showcasing his defensive aptitude​​. Jahlil Brown has also recently signed with the XFL, indicating his professional football journey is continuing post-college​​.

DC Josh Hammond WR Florida
Josh Hammond played as a wide receiver for the D.C. Defenders in the 2023 XFL season, securing 34 receptions for 331 yards and a touchdown throughout the season​. His performance peaked in the 2023 XFL Championship Game, where he brought in six of 10 targets for 127 yards and scored two touchdowns, despite the Defenders’ loss to the Renegades​. One notable play during the championship was a 72-yard pass he received from Jordan Ta’amu, which resulted in a touchdown​​. Hammond’s contribution to the team was also evident in the early season, as reflected in the offensive depth chart during the second week, where he held a significant position​. His performance in the XFL earned him another opportunity in the NFL, as he was signed by the Denver Broncos post-XFL season​¹​.

DC Kelvin Harmon WR North Carolina St
Kelvin Harmon is a wide receiver for the DC Defenders in the XFL as of 2024. Before his stint in the XFL, he played for the Washington Redskins (now Washington Football Team) in the NFL from 2019 to 2021, and was part of the Philadelphia Stars in 2023 although marked as an offseason and/or practice squad member only​​. Harmon kicked off his college football career at NC State, recording 27 receptions for 462 yards and five touchdowns in his freshman year, 2016. His performance improved the following year, making 69 receptions for 1,017 yards and four touchdowns. By his junior year in 2018, he had 81 receptions for 1,186 yards and seven touchdowns, showcasing a consistent upward trajectory in his college football career​​. His NFL career stats as of 2021 show that he made 30 receptions for 365 yards during his tenure with the Washington Redskins​.

DC Dennis Johnson DL Grand Valley St
Dennis Johnson, a defensive lineman from Grand Valley State, had an impactful season in 2019, earning First-Team All-GLIAC and GVSU Defensive Lineman of the Year titles, alongside notable performances with 24 tackles and 7.0 tackles for loss. His involvement grew from a reserve role in 2017 to earning his third varsity letter by 2019. Standing at 6’2″ and weighing 310 lbs, Johnson’s physical prowess was recognized, hinting at a transition to professional football. A tweet from Grand Valley State Football’s official account suggested Johnson had an opportunity with the New York Giants, indicating his entry into a professional football camp.

DC Abram Smith RB Baylor
Abram Smith was the first player selected in the “offensive skills” portion of the XFL draft, playing for the DC Defenders and averaging 86.3 rushing yards per game. He amassed 788 yards and seven touchdowns during the 10-game regular season of the XFL. Before the XFL, Smith had a standout collegiate career at Baylor, notably running for over 1,500 yards in his senior season. Post college, he was picked up by the New Orleans Saints but was released before the season commenced. Smith’s performance in the XFL led to his signing with the Minnesota Vikings, showcasing his journey from collegiate football, to the XFL, and then to the NFL.

HOU Marvin Pierre LB Kent St
Marvin Pierre, a linebacker from Kent State, went undrafted in the 2023 NFL draft but was signed by the Arizona Cardinals shortly after. However, his stint with the Cardinals was brief, and he was released on June 8, 2023​​. Following his NFL experience, Pierre was selected by the Houston Roughnecks in the XFL Rookie Draft conducted on June 16, 2023​​. Despite his brief NFL experience, Pierre garnered attention from the Green Bay Packers, who signed him following a successful workout on August 21, 2023​. His journey from going undrafted in the NFL, to being signed and released by the Cardinals, then drafted to the XFL, and eventually working out successfully for the Packers showcases a pathway of perseverance and talent recognition across different football leagues​​.

HOU Tristen Wallace TE Prairie View A&M
Tristen Wallace was acquired by the Houston Roughnecks during the XFL Combine rights draft in August 2023, transitioning to the league from college football​​. He played his college football at Prairie View A&M primarily during the 2018-2019 seasons, thriving as a tight end with a total of 1,114 receiving yards and six touchdowns​​. Although he was technically a wide receiver during his time at Prairie View, he transitioned to the tight end position in Houston for his XFL stint. The interest he received from multiple organizations during the XFL Combine suggests a recognition of his talent in the professional football arena.

SA Armonti Carey DL Midwestern St
Armonti Carey, a defensive lineman from Midwestern State, transitioned to the XFL, signing a letter of intent with the San Antonio team on October 19, 2023​​. Prior to this, he had an established career in indoor football, being signed by the Northern Arizona Wranglers of the Indoor Football League (IFL) in October 2022​​. Known as “The Big General” in the indoor game, Carey played for the Bismarck Bucks of the IFL in 2022, showcasing his defensive skills​​. His professional indoor football career began in 2015 with the San Jose Sabercats in the Arena Football League (AFL). The XFL acquisition on August 11, 2023, marked a new chapter in his football career, transitioning from indoor football to the XFL’s traditional format​​.

SA Carlos Carriere WR Central Michigan
Carlos Carriere had a productive college football career, initially playing at Maryland before transferring to Central Michigan. In his final year at Maryland, he caught 24 passes for 316 yards and five touchdowns, and at Central Michigan, he led the team with 45 receptions and 520 receiving yards in 2022​​. Post-college, he was invited to the New York Giants rookie camp and subsequently signed as an undrafted free agent by the Giants​. His professional journey took a new turn when he was selected by the San Antonio Brahmas in the XFL Rookie Draft on June 16, 2023​.

SA Marcus Cooper RB USC
He might have played for Incarnate Word. There is no information on a Marcus Cooper RB from USC.

SA Malik Dorton DL USC
Malik Dorton, a former USC defensive lineman, showcased his football skills both in high school and during his tenure at USC, accumulating notable stats like 35 tackles, 5 for losses with 3.5 sacks, and 6 deflections​​. Post-college, he had brief stints with the then-Oakland Raiders and the Edmonton Eskimos of the CFL, but his CFL journey was halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He also joined the Major League Football venture with the Alabama Airborne, though the league faced financial difficulties and didn’t commence. Dorton found a new opportunity with the Panthers of the Indoor Football League (IFL) in March 2023, with the team’s General Manager and Head Coach commending his great hands, power, and speed​​. This transition to the IFL represents Dorton’s continued pursuit to showcase his football talent and possibly advance his professional football career.

SA Nigel Harris LB South Florida
Nigel Harris showcased his football skills at South Florida from 2013 to 2016, making notable contributions each year. In his first year, he recorded 18 solo tackles, 17 tackle assists, and forced a fumble among other stats, later setting a school single-season record with six forced fumbles in 2014​​. Harris transitioned to professional football as an undrafted free agent signing with the Los Angeles Chargers in 2017 and went on to have stints with several NFL teams including the New York Giants, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Tennessee Titans, among others​​. His NFL journey saw a moderate success with a total of 12 tackles across his time in the league. The next chapter in his football career began with his transition to the XFL, signing with the San Antonio Brahmas, where he continues his football journey as an outside linebacker​.

SA R.J. Hubert DB Utah
R.J. Hubert had a commendable college football career at the University of Utah, particularly shining in 2022 as a strong safety, earning a Pac-12 All-Conference Honorable Mention and becoming a semifinalist for the 2022 William V. Campbell Trophy​​. However, his college journey saw a setback with season-ending knee injuries in 2019 and 2020, limiting his playtime during the latter year​​. Transitioning to professional football, Hubert was drafted to the San Antonio Brahmas in the XFL Rookie Draft on June 16, 2023³​. Prior to this, he was invited to the Miami Dolphins rookie mini camp on May 9, 2023​​. His high school football and track performances were notable, earning him several accolades including the 2015 Nevada Division 1A Offensive Player of the Year and showcasing his athleticism across multiple disciplines​.

SA Trey Morrison DB Oklahoma
Trey Morrison, standing at 5’9″ and weighing 189 pounds, transferred to the University of Oklahoma (OU) for his fifth year, having previously played for the University of North Carolina​​. Morrison declared for the NFL Draft, signaling his intentions to pursue a professional football career after his time at OU​. In the lead-up to the 2023 NFL Draft, Morrison was listed among the Oklahoma seniors, with projections placing him between the 7th round and undrafted status​.

His transition to OU was motivated by an admiration for Brent Venables’ defensive success at Clemson, hinting at his aspirations to grow under notable defensive coaching and make a mark in professional football. The move to OU was finalized on January 17, indicating his readiness to take on new challenges and enhance his football career.

SA Micahh Smith DB Incarnate Word
Micahh Smith had a notable college football career, initially with the University of Arkansas, where he contributed as a defensive back and on special teams, especially during his Redshirt Junior year in 2019 where he recorded 22 tackles, 13 solo, with notable performances against Western Kentucky​​. He later transferred to the University of the Incarnate Word for further education and football experience, although his detailed stats from this period weren’t available​​. Before his college transition, Smith was a three-star recruit out of Marshall High School in Texas, leading his team with 123 tackles during his senior campaign​¹​. His professional football journey began with the XFL, signing a contract with the San Antonio Brahmas, marking his entry into the professional football realm​. Additionally, Smith was recognized as a 2023 Pro Prospect, indicating his potential for a professional football career​.

STL Nico Bolden DB Kent St
Nico Bolden began his college football career at the University of New Mexico, later transferring to Kent State where he excelled, notably leading the team with 64 solo tackles in 2022. His performance at Kent State was highlighted in games against Washington and Oklahoma, showcasing his defensive skills​​. Post-college, Bolden declared for the 2023 NFL Draft and was briefly signed by the Carolina Panthers, but was released due to an injury​​. His professional journey continued in the XFL when he was picked by the St. Louis Battlehawks during the XFL Rookie Draft​​. This transition to the XFL represents a new chapter in Bolden’s football career, providing him a platform to further demonstrate his defensive prowess.

STL Johnny Buchanan LB Delaware
Johnny Buchanan showcased his football skills at the University of Delaware, excelling as a linebacker and making a significant mark in 2022 by leading the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) with 150 tackles. His exceptional performance earned him a spot on the All-CAA First Team and made him a finalist for the Buck Buchanan Award. Over his college career, Buchanan accumulated 326 tackles, showcased various defensive skills like pass breakups, interceptions, and forced fumbles, highlighting his well-rounded defensive ability​​. After college, he declared for the NFL Draft in 2023, and although undrafted, he was invited to local pro days for the New York Giants, New York Jets, and Philadelphia Eagles, displaying his potential to NFL teams​​. His professional football journey continued as he was drafted by the St. Louis Battlehawks in the 2023 XFL Rookie Draft, marking a new chapter in his football career​​.

STL Marcus Cushnie DL UMass
Marcus Cushnie showcased his defensive skills across multiple colleges, starting at Alabama A&M, transitioning to Florida State, and finally landing at the University of Massachusetts (UMass) for his 2022 season where he accrued 47 tackles and 5.5 sacks. His performance at Alabama A&M earned him All-SWAC honors and contributed to the team’s SWAC Championship win in the spring of 2021. At 6’2″ and 250 pounds, Cushnie’s notable pass-rushing ability made him a valuable player on the field. Following his senior year at UMass, he declared for the 2023 NFL Draft, marking his aspiration to transition into professional football. His swift move to UMass, facilitated by coach Don Brown who reached out to him within an hour of entering the transfer portal, highlighted the demand for his defensive prowess.

STL Jadrian Taylor DL UTEP
Jadrian Taylor showcased his defensive skills at the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP), particularly shining in his senior year in 2022 with 42 total tackles, 21 solo, and 9.5 tackles for loss. Before UTEP, he began his college football journey at Kilgore Junior College, later transitioning to play at a higher level. Post his college career, Taylor declared for the 2023 NFL Draft, reflecting his aspiration to transition into professional football​¹​. Although the outcome of the NFL Draft regarding Taylor isn’t detailed, his football journey continued as he was drafted by the St. Louis Battlehawks in the XFL, providing him a new platform to demonstrate his defensive prowess​​. Through these transitions, Taylor exhibited a trajectory of growth and adaptation in his football career.

VGS Lorenzo Fauatea DL BYU
Lorenzo Fauatea contributed significantly to BYU’s defensive line from 2017 to 2022, participating in 46 games and making notable impacts, especially in his senior season with 22 tackles, 2.5 sacks, and a forced fumble among other stats​​. His cumulative college career at BYU resulted in 64 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, and a display of defensive versatility. Post-college, Fauatea declared for the 2023 NFL Draft, showcasing his aspirations for a professional football career​. Although the details regarding his NFL draft status weren’t available, his football journey found a new avenue when he was drafted by the Vegas Vipers in the XFL Rookie Draft on June 16, 2023, marking the beginning of his professional football career in the XFL​​.

VGS Kevin Toote OL Pace
Kevin Toote excelled as an offensive lineman at Pace University, with a notable performance in 2022 that earned him several accolades including the NE10 First-Team All-Conference and NE10 Offensive Lineman of the Year awards​​. His prowess also led to invitations to the FCS National Bowl and the Tropical Bowl USA. Post-college, Toote’s football career saw a promising turn as he was recognized in the XFL Combine Rights Draft. Subsequently, his rights were acquired by the Vegas Vipers in the XFL, marking the beginning of his professional football journey.

VGS Naasir Watkins OL Liberty
Naasir Watkins transitioned to Liberty University from Kentucky, continuing his collegiate football career as an offensive tackle. At Liberty, he was part of the 2022 recruiting class, indicating the team’s interest in bolstering their lineup with his inclusion​​. Following his college career, Watkins aimed for professional football and was selected by the Vegas Vipers in the XFL Rookie Draft conducted on June 16, 2023, marking the beginning of his professional journey​​.