While the XFL off-season has seen a lot of movement and news, the communications department posted a series of tweets over the past 48 hours. The XFL announced that 46 players have signed Letters of Intent with the XFL for the 2024 season, with Five of those players having their rights acquired by the Battlehawks.
DB, Nico Bolden, New Mexico/Kent State:
Bolden signed with the Carolina Panthers after the 2023 NFL Draft only to be released with an injury designation on May 16th. Bolden started his career at the University of New Mexico (17-20) before playing his last two seasons at Kent State where he led the Golden Flashes with 64 solo tackles in 2022 (2nd-most in the MAC). During his senior season at Kent State Bolden was selected to the 2nd-team All-MAC Defense. Bolden was selected by the Battlehawks in the XFL’s Rookie Draft on June 16th.
TE, James Bostic III, Vanderbilt/Ohio:
Bostic was announced as the first wave of XFL prospects to sign their letters of intents to play in the league in 2024. The Vandy/Ohio Alum participated in rookie mini-camp with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this May after grabbing 21 catches for 434 yards and a touchdown at Ohio in 2022. A 2x Academic All-MAC while working on his master’s in management, Bostic was a senior Co-Captain at Vanderbilt before transferring to Ohio. Bostic’s father James Bostic Jr. also played professional football spending time with the Rams, Packers, and Eagles of NFL, while also spending a season with the Birmingham Thunderbolts of the XFL 1.0.
LB, Johnny Buchanan, Delaware:
Buchanan was a tackling machine at Delaware where he mentored by future NFL Linebacker Troy Reeder his freshman year. In 2022 Led the FCS with 150 tackles while earning All-CAA First Team and a Buck Buchanan Award finalist. After going undrafted in 2023, Buchanan earned an invitation to try out for the Pittsburgh Steelers however was not signed.
DL, Jadrian Taylor, Kilgore College/University of Texas-El Paso:
Known as “Kamo” by many Taylor had a quick stint with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the CFL before being released on May 17th, Taylor led Conference USA with 9.5 sacks in 2022 and finished with 81 tackles and 16 sacks in two seasons at UTEP. Prior to his time at UTEP, Taylor two season at Kilgore College (JuCo) before playing for the Miners.
LB Marcus Cushnie UMass
Cushnie spent time at Alabama A&M, and Florida State before spending his 2022 season at UMass. While at Alabama A&M, Cushnie earned All-SWAC honors helping lead the team to a SWAC Championship in the spring of 2021. While at UMass his senior year Cushnie, totaled 47 tackles and 5.5 sacks in 2022. Cushnie had his rights obtained by the Battlehawks several days after the XFL Rookie Draft.
With a merger with the USFL imminent, XFL teams have continued to operate normally until more details arise. While not official some Battlehawks players have went to social media to announce that they are now free agents and looking to sign with a team. With USFL roster set to 60 during the off-season it may be safe to assume that XFL rosters may be transitioning to a similar model rather than the original 90, that was announced after the season.
To learn more about how Coach Becht plans to build his roster in the off-season check out the video below:
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