The St Louis Battlehawks continue to retool their roster as the XFL Communications Department announced a trade this Saturday. The Battlehawks traded supplemental draft pick Charlie Taumoepeau, TE, to the Seattle Sea Dragons in exchange for Kai Absheer an Offensive Tackle who recently spent 2022 with the New Orleans Breakers of the USFL. The Battlehawks also released Seth Walter, an Ivy-League Alum from Dartmouth who was a defensive lineman.
Charlie Taumoepeau may have been the odd man out in the Battlehawks Tight End room. With Jaylen Smith, Jared Thomas and Jake Sutherland seemingly all filling out their own role for the Tight Position, Taumoepeau most likely was an afterthought for the Battlehawks. Taumopeau comes to the Sea Dragons bouncing around the practice squads of the Colts and 49ers.
Taumoepeau was injured in a car accident and waived during training camp 2021 with the Lions and has been a free agent since. As covered during the analysis of the Battlehawks Supplemental Picks Taumoepeau is a bit small for a Tight End (6’2) and may have questions with his blocking. With the Sea Dragons using a June Jones offense look for the Portland State alum to be utilized for his pass catching abilities in 2023.
Absheer joins the Battlehawks after four seasons at Florida International University, appearing in 44 games (35 starts) at offensive tackle for the Panthers. His presence at FIU can be contributed to the success of the FIU Panthers running game and the success of Quarterbacks James Morgan and Alex McGough. While at FIU the Panthers set multiple school records, including the 3rd most rushing yards in school history (1,783) (2016), the most passing yards in school history (3,031) (2017), and a school record low of 8 sacks allowed as a unit all season (2018).
After FIU went undrafted in the 2019 NFL Draft and later signed with the CFL’s Ottawa RedBlacks in 2020 however did not play due to the season being canceled due to the covid-19 pandemic. In 2022, Absheer signed with the USFL’s New Orleans Breakers, helping the team earn a 6-4 record and a playoff berth in the team’s first season.
The Battlehawks also released Defensive Lineman Seth Walter. Walter was an All-Ivy League player while in college appearing in 22 college games totaling 40 tackles, 10 for loss, 4 sacks, and 1 forced fumble. Walter is the prototypical Alt-League prospect who should be picked up by another XFL team or possibly the USFL.
Closing Thoughts:
With the season less than three weeks away, the acquisition of Kai Absheer could allow for the Battlehawks to cement him in a guard position. With Steven Gonzalez looking like he’ll be taking reps at Center, Absheer could fill into a Guard spot right away. With a USFL season under his belt the Battlehawks have a collection of players on Offense with NFL, USFL, AAF, and XFL experience going into the 2023 season.
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