The Arlington Renegades have been making multiple signings over the past week to add more to their roster, but the team made their first trade of the season Monday.
News of the trade was announced by the XFL on Twitter Monday afternoon. The Renegades were trading defensive back Cam Lewis to the DC Defenders for receiver Zimari Manning.
Manning was a star receiver in college for Tarleton State where he holds school records. During his two seasons at Tarleton State, he recorded 112 catches for 2,409 yards and 34 touchdowns between 2018 and 2019. In the 2019 season, he was a Harlon Hill Trophy finalist which is given to the best football player in Division II.
He went undrafted in the 2020 NFL Draft where he would sign with the Denver Broncos before being released. After the NFL, he spent the 2021 season playing for the Arizona Rattlers of the Indoor Football League. The XFL came calling when he was drafted by the Defenders in the open phase of the XFL Draft back in November.
Manning becomes the second receiver brought in by the team after the start of training camp. Rannell Hall was signed to the team last week after being released by the USFL. Hall was showcased during the open practice the team hosted at Choctaw Stadium Saturday as a receiver despite also playing defensive back.
Including Hall who is listed as a defensive back on the Renegades’ roster on the XFL website, the team has nine receivers fighting for at least five roster spots. Manning is coming into camp late after spending the last two weeks learning the Defenders’ offense. He might have a long way in earning a roster spot, but he should make things competitive at the receiver position.
As for Lewis being traded, the move is not all that surprising. Cre’Von LeBlanc was just signed to the team which gives the team more depth in the secondary. It’s getting to the point where it will become tough for the team to hold on to good talent. Lewis is an example of someone who has a shot at making the roster somewhere else, but not with Arlington. The trade is a win-win for both teams looking to improve in the next 20 days before the week one kickoff games.
