Like any other startup league, the XFL had to fill its teams with players. QBs were assigned to teams based on the coach’s decisions. They were able to pick the ones they wanted, and then the league applied the QBs to those teams. The rest was broken down into different phases:
Phase 1: Skill Players
Phase 2: Offensive Linemen
Phase 3: Defensive Linemen and Linebackers
Phase 4: Secondary
Phase 5: All Positions
Each Phase had its own lottery to decide who would pick first. But we’re here just to talk about 1 player.
The #1 Overall pick, former James Madison University WR Rashard Davis.
Davis has been in several camps, signing first with the Eagles, then Raiders, and the Chiefs before being drafted #1 by the DC Defenders. Then the Titans came calling.
He decided not to join the XFL because he felt like he could make it on an NFL roster, and he hasn’t given up on that yet. Not that being in the XFL is quitting, Davis just chose to bet on himself. Because he felt the Titans could give him that real shot.
Davis finished his career at JMU in 2016, with a record-setting 4 punt returns for TDs. Adding 42 receptions for 530 yards, and 3 TDs. Named the CAA Special Teams Player of the Year, 2nd Team AP FCS All-American, and playing in the FCS championship game, where he would score a TD in a winning effort against Youngstown St. Davis knows how to ball.
His agent, Sean Stellato had this to say about Davis’ decision:
“He was humbled and honored to be the first pick of the XFL Draft and, let’s face it, there have been a lot of great football players to come out of non-NFL leagues-Kurt Warner, Jeff Garcia, Warren Moon,”
Rashard Davis’s Agent, Sean Stellato
But it wasn’t enough. Davis decided to skip the chance at being a superstar in the XFL, to try to make it on an NFL roster in Tennessee.
In 2019, Davis played in one game for the Titans catching 1 pass for 16 yards. He also returned two punts in that game. He’s doing well, but will it be enough to keep his roster spot.
If not, and the XFL comes calling again, what will he do then?
We’d love to see him shine in the XFL
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