This week the IFL announced rule changes that will take effect during the 2023 season. The first change is related to the Deuce; in the past, a Deuce was a kickoff that went through the goalposts and was worth 2 points during the last two minutes of either half. This year the Deuce can be scored on any kickoff. Also, related to kicks, in the past, if a kick hit the goal post during a kickoff, it was considered a dead ball, but now the ball will still be live and therefore played off of the goal post or upright. The league will have a 25-second play clock starting when the officials set the ball. To end games, teams can now use the “Victory formation” to kill the clock when leading at the end of a game.
Let’s review what the teams of the IFL have done this week to prepare as 2023 approaches.
Massachusetts Pirates
The Pirates announced that they selected ten players during the free-agent draft. Those players are defensive linemen Justin Alexandre and James Folston, offensive linemen Keenan Forbes and Malcolm Bunche, wide receivers Tabari Hines and Kendrick Rodgers, linebacker Cassanova McKinzy, running back Kelvin Taylor, defensive back Devin Hafford, and defensive lineman Chris Rice. Massachusetts has also signed linebacker Caleb Carter who played at Southern University and participated in the Indianapolis Colts rookie mini-camp in 2022.
Frisco Fighters
The Fighters have re-signed wide receiver Spencer Tears; Tears contributed on offense and defense in 2022. In addition, Frisco has added offensive lineman Netori Johnson and has activated offensive lineman Tyrin Arceneaux. Arceneaux was a late cut by the XFL’s Seattle Sea Dragons. On defense, the Fighters signed defensive lineman Julian Rochester. Rochester is a 6’5″, 300-pound defender from the University of Georgia. In addition, Frisco signed defensive lineman JD Griggs; Griggs has professional experience with the Spokane Eagles, Winnipeg Blue Bombers, and the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Tulsa Oilers
The Tulsa Oilers signed linebacker/defensive end Jordan Jones. The 6’1″, 250-pound Jones was named the CIF Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2022 while playing for the Omaha Beef, and he also played in two games for the Green Bay Blizzard. Also, on defense, the Oilers signed defensive back Britto Tutt, who played college football at Arkansas. In 2022, Tutt played six games for the Frisco Fighters and produced 25.5 tackles, two interceptions, and five pass deflections.
Bay Area Panthers
The Bay Area Panthers signed offensive lineman Kyle Davis. Davis is a 310-pound blocker that played at Grambling State. The Panthers also added Andrew Dela Cruz as their new strength and conditioning coach.
Iowa Barnstormers
The Iowa Barnstormers signed quarterback Zach Reader. Reader played college football at Upper Iowa University, where he played in 15 games; during those games, he produced 121 completions on 210 pass attempts and scored 12 touchdowns. He also had 54 carries for 103 yards and a rushing touchdown. On defense, the Barnstormers signed defensive back Freddie McGee III. Iowa also signed offensive lineman Cam Johnson, the 6’6″, 325-pound Johnson who played at the University of South Carolina.
Northern Arizona Wranglers
The Wranglers signed offensive linemen Brandon Grady and Jaylin Hendrix this week. Grady played for the Rapid City Marshals in the CIF in 2022. Northern Arizona has also signed linebacker Justin Whisenhunt. Whisenhunt played college football at Troy University and UNC-Charlotte. During his four seasons, he produced 176 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, four sacks, three forced fumbles, one interception, and one pass breakup. Also on defense, the Wranglers signed defensive back Komotay Koffie, the 6’1″, 200-pound Koffie participated in rookie mini-camps for the Kansas City Chiefs and Denver Broncos in 2022.
Quad City Steamwheelers
The Steamwheelers re-signed offensive lineman Joe Krall, a 2022 IFL All-Rookie selection. Quad City also signed quarterback Damion May who had a successful college career at Alabama A&M. In 2021, the 6’0″, 200-pound May produced 54 completions on 88 pass attempts for 489 yards and 16 touchdowns with just one interception. He also accumulated 122 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns. Also, head coach Cory Ross announced that his coaching staff is complete for the 2023 season.
Odds and Ends
The Vegas Knighthawks announced that they re-signed wide receiver Frank Brown Jr. In 2022, he produced 23 catches for 241 yards and five touchdowns. Sioux Falls signed Wide Receiver Deyon Hill; Hill played college football at the University of West Alabama. The Green Bay Blizzard signed defensive back Jakoby Papillion, who played at LSU. Papillion produced 128 tackles, 11 pass breakups, 7.5 tackles for loss, seven interceptions, 2.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery for the Tigers.
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