As the XFL gears up for their third season, I think it’s important to take a look back on the past a bit. 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. 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. Today we are covering the Offensive Side of the Ball in this where are they now segment.
Quarterbacks:
Jordan Ta’amu- Ta’amu has quite the adventure since 2020. Ta’amu has hands stints with the Chiefs(x2), Lions(x2), WFT, and Carolina Panthers before being taken 2nd overall by the USFL to the Tampa Bay Bandits. Ta’amu led the USFL in touchdowns and yards before being “assigned” to the DC Defenders for the XFL 3.0.
Nick Fitzgerald- Appeared in three games for the Battlehawks and would later link up with the Blues and Sea Lions of the 2021 Spring League. Since then, Fitzgerald has not appeared with any pro teams. He’s most known for shot gunning Seltzer’s with Taylor Heinicke after a Battlehawks win.
Taylor Heinicke- Heinicke burst back in the NFL due a couple injuries and ineffectiveness, in the Washington Football Team organization since leaving the Battlehawks Heinicke has started 24 games going 12-11-1 with 33 TDs 21 INTs and 5415 Passing yards for the Washington Commanders with a playoff loss in 2020 to Tom Brady.
Running Backs:
Sherman Badie- Badie never played a game with the Battlehawks but did have AAF experience coming from the Memphis Express. After an injury landed him on IR, Badie was able to sign with the Edmonton Elks in 2022 and was able to appear in four games for them in 2022.
Keith Ford- Ford had a cup of tea in the NFL before joining the Battlehawks. In a limited role with St. Louis he scored twice, on ten carries before the XFL ceased operations. Ford was recently drafted by the Arlington Renegades for his first pro-opportunity since 2020.
Matt Jones- An accomplished NFL running back for the Washington Redskins before bouncing around with the Colts and Eagles. Jones was an All-XFL Running Back in 2020, however would only garner one pro-opportunity with The Spring League Sea Lions. Jones would be drafted by the Vegas Vipers in 2022, however was cut January 21st.
Wide Receivers:
Carlton Agudosi– Agudosi was able to latch on with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the CFL after his time with the Blue Bombers. He won a Grey Cup with the team in 2021, and is most known for blocking a punt against the New York Guardians in 2020. Agudosi has totaled 6 Receptions for 70 yards and two touchdowns in his CFL career.
Keith Mumphrey– Mumphrey reunited with Ta’amu in 2022 with the USFL’s Tampa Bay Bandits. Mumphrey goes into 2023 as a member of the Showboats after totaling 6 receptions for 57 yards in 2022.
De’Mornay Pierson-El- DMPE was one of the Battlehawks top receivers in 2020, after dominating the AAF with the Salt Lake Stallions. After the season DMPE garnered training camp invites with the Raiders (2020) and Broncos (2022) before signing with the New Jersey Generals of the USFL for 2023.
Alonzo Russell- Russell left the Battlehawks and went straight to the CFL. After a failed stint with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, Russell would latch on with the Redblacks for a month before getting cut in July of 2021.
La’Damian Washington- Washington jumped straight into coaching after the 2020, getting a job at Middle School in Columbia, Missouri close to his alma mater. In 2022 Washington was hired as the Wide Receivers coach for the Oklahoma Sooners, before recently getting hired as the Offensive Coordinator at WKU.
Tight Ends:
Connor Davis- Davis was able to spend time with the Jets and Browns from 2020 to 2021. He’d get picked up by the USFL’s Michigan Panthers where he’d win the award for best Hair in 2022. He’s set to remain with the Panthers for the 2023 season.
Wes Saxton- Saxton is a veteran of four leagues and nine pro teams in his football career. After the Battlehawks folded in 2020, Saxton was a late season signing by the New Jersey Generals in 2022 of the USFL and remains with the team for 2023.
Gabe Holmes-Originally a Team 9 allocation Holmes joined the Battlehawks in the 11th hour of the XFL season. After the league folded, Holmes joined The Spring Leagues Alphas before earning opportunities with the Dolphins and Titans. He’s been out of football since August 2021.
Offensive Linemen:
DeJon Allen- Allen was traded from the Battlehawks to the Guardians before the league ceased operations in 2020. Allen would sign with the Toronto Argonauts in 2021 earning an All-Star Selection and a Grey Cup with the Argos in 2022.
Brian Folkerts- Folkerts is another well-traveled veteran whose played with 8 teams across the NFL, AAF, XFL, and AFL. Folkerts remained unemployed since the Battlehawks ceased operations in 2020, however was drafted by the Arlington Renegades in the November 2022 Draft.
Kent Perkins- Perkins came to the Battlehawks after one NFL appearance with the Bengals. After spending 2020 with the Battlehawks, Perkins spent time with The Spring League Alphas (2020) and then signed a contract with the BC Lions in 2021. Perkins was recently extended two years with the Lions to remain with the team till 2024.
Bruno Reagan- We can’t talk enough about Bruno, and neither can he. The Part-Time Radio host joined Ta’amu in the USFL with the Showboats before a season ending injury took him off the field in 2022. Reagan remains in the USFL with the newly named Showboats for 2023.
Closing Thoughts:
The 2020 Battlehawks was dynamic and coming into its own before the XFL ceased operations. With the XFL 3.0 sent to start in about three weeks, the 2023 Battlehawks are set to continue the foundation from three years ago and maybe a send a couple guys to the NFL along the way.
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