Jordan Ta’amu is returning to the XFL. However, he will be playing quarterback for the D.C. Defenders instead of the St. Louis Battlehawks.
The XFL hasn’t officially announced this QB assignment as of press time. It was expected to arrive at some point this week. The confidential information has been kept off the record by Newshub for several weeks now. But thanks to D.C. Defenders offensive coordinator Fred Kaiss. The cat has been let out of the bag on Coach Kaiss’s Instagram account.
The XFL’s league leader in completion percentage (72%) in 2020 for St. Louis is coming off a season of playing for the Tampa Bay Bandits in the United States Football League. In 2022, Jordan Ta’amu led the USFL in passing yards (2,014) and scores (14). He also led the Bandits with 365 yards rushing in ten games.
D.C. Defenders Assigned Former XFL 2020 Quarterback Jordan Ta’amu
Jordan Ta’amu is the third quarterback to join the D.C. Defenders. He joins University of Miami rookie D’Eriq King and another former XFL 2020 player Eric Dungey.
All three D.C. quarterbacks have similar skill sets as mobile dual-threat passers.
The 25-year-old six-foot-three, 221-pound Ta’amu spent his first two collegiate seasons at the New Mexico Military Institute, earning Conference Player of the Year honors, before transferring to Ole Miss for his final two seasons of eligibility.
Ta’amu took over as the Rebels’ starter halfway through his junior campaign and held onto the full-time job for his final year, passing for 3,918 yards and 19 scores while rushing for 342 yards and six touchdowns in 12 games.
While his time in Oxford was short-lived, Ta’amu owns single-season school records for yards-per-attempt (9.37), 300-yard passing games (9), and 400-yard passing games (3).
Ta’amu signed with the Houston Texans as an undrafted free agent in 2019 but was released at final cuts. As a pro rookie, he immediately transitioned from an NFL camp onto an XFL roster.
Ta’amu’s starring turn with St. Louis opened the door for more NFL opportunities. Since 2020, he’s had six different stints on four other NFL team’s practice squads. However, he has yet to throw a pass during an NFL regular season game.
The Defenders’ offense should be an exciting fit for Jordan Ta’amu. Offensive coordinator Fred Kaiss and head coach Reggie Barlow figure to incorporate a run-heavy attack with RPO elements. All three D.C. quarterbacks should be a perfect fit for the scheme.
D.C.’s staff promises an open competition at QB during training camp this month in Texas. But it’s logical to assume that Jordan Ta’amu will be the favorite to emerge as the team’s opening-day starter based on his experience level.
XFL fans are eagerly awaiting the release of the league’s 2023 schedule. The Defenders will open the season at Audi Field on February 18th, and Jordan Ta’amu may get the nod against his former XFL team, St. Louis.
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