Last week we did overall recap of the 2020 season, this week we are looking back on what happened to some of the players from the 2020 team. After covering the majority of Offensive Players who went on to continue their careers, now we cover what happened to many of the Defensive Players who extended their careers. With several of them set to return to the XFL in 2023 (See Arlington Renegades), many have moved on to other leagues and teams throughout North America.
Defensive Line:
Will Clarke- Clarke came to the Battlehawks after spending 2014 to 2018 with the Bengals and Bucs. After the XFL Clarke had stints with the Lions and Saints before getting Drafted by the Renegades in the 2022 November XFL Draft.
DeWayne Hendrix- Hendrix is another Battlehawk who made the journey up north. Hendrix joined the Toronto Argonauts after his time with The Spring Leagues Alphas (2020) and would win a Grey Cup championship with the team in 2022.
DeVontae Lambert- After play with the Bucs in 2016 and 2017, Lambert joined the Battlehawks after taking 2 years off from football. He’d earn one more opportunity with the Carolina Panthers in 2020 however, would be cut in the end of August.
Casey Sayles- Sayles was an AAF vet before joining the Battlehawks, and earning accolades from PFF during the season. Sayles ventured up north and joined the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in 2021 winning the Grey Cup in 2021 and starting 18 games in 2022.
Linebackers:
Andrew Jackson- Not the President but the Linebacker, Andrew Jackson came to the XFL after a short stint in the NFL (2014 Colts) followed by a stint in the IFL and AAF. Jackson would be drafted by the Roughnecks only to be cut and signed with the Battlehawks in February of 2020. Upon the league ceasing operations, Jackson has spent 2021 and 2022 with the Duke City Gladiators of the CIF.
Dexter McCoil- McCoil was one of the leading tacklers for the Battlehawks in 2020 when the league ceased operations. Since then, McCoil spent one season with the Argos, until going full time into coaching were he current works with Defensive Backs at Texas State. Prior to the XFL McCoil was a Grey Cup Champion, CFL Rookie of the Year, and two-time CFL All-Star
Defensive Backs:
Joe Powell- Powell became the first XFL player to return a Kickoff Return for a touchdown of the second iteration of the league. Prior to the XFL bounced between five arena teams, two NFL teams, and the AAF. Since the XFL Powell joined the CFL’s Hamilton Tiger-Cats and was recently drafted by the Arlington Renegades in the 2023 XFL Supplemental Draft.
Will Hill- Will Hill was one of the more accomplished NFL vets that came over to the Battlehawks in 2020. Hill’s career since the XFL has been extremely quiet since departure, however like many 2020 Battlehawks he was drafted by the Arlington Renegades in 2022’s XFL Draft.
Robert Nelson- Nelson was originally drafted by the Roughnecks however traded to the Battlehawks in exchange for Juwann Bushell-Beaty and Charles James. After the XFL Nelson spent a month with the Montreal Alouettes of the CFL, until being drafted by the Arlington Renegades in the Supplemental Draft.
Kenny Robinson- Robinson was one the main storylines, in the XFL, joining the Battlehawks while being eligible, for the 2020 NFL Draft. After the XFL season, Robinson was drafted in the 5th round of the 2020 NFL Draft by the Carolina Panthers where he remained on and off the Practice Squad for three seasons. Recently he was signed to a futures contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers for 2023.
Specialists:
Marquette King- King was one of the NFL’s top punters before coming to the XFL. While with the Battlehawks King continued to succeed being in the top 3 of punters in the XFL. Recently King was drafted by the Arlington Renegades (surprisingly) in 2022’s XFL November Draft.
Taylor Russolino- Prior to the XFL, Russolino spent time in the CIFL, AFL, af2, CAFL, and CFL. After the XFL folded Russolino made his lone appearance in the NFL with the Broncos, before joining the Marquette King and the Arlington Renegades in November of 2022.
Closing Thoughts:
The 2020 Battlehawks Defense and Special Teams, had some of the more memorable fixtures of the XFL 2.0. With several of the players still signed to teams in the NFL, CFL and returning for the XFL 3.0, it’s great to see some of the original members of the BEST St. Louis football franchise, continue to leave their mark on football all over North America.
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