Day Two of the XFL draft consisted of the Battlehawks finishing up the special teams room, in addition to adding ten more players to other position groups. The Battlehawks added a developmental QB in Nick Tiano, in addition to three Receivers, a Tight End, a Running Back, and Four Defensive players.
Specialist:
3rd Overall: Sterling Hofrichter Punter Syracuse
The Battlehawks are getting a stud at punter, who’ll probably be back to kicking on Sundays if he puts together a good season in the XFL. Hofrichter was a three-time all-conference player at college and even earned All-American honors his senior year of college. His collegiate success led to him being drafted by the Falcons in 2020, however injuries in 2021 derailed his promising rookie season. After stints with the Bucs, and Dolphins Hofrichter comes to the XFL with 62 career punts with an average of 42.0 Yards per punt.
14th Overall: Donald Hageman Kicker San Diego State
Hageman is a an AAF alumni, who was a part of Boller and Becht’s team the San Diego Fleet. After graduating from San Diego State, Hageman spent time the LA Kiss of the Arena League, before recording 14 of 19 Feild Goals with the Fleet.
19th Overall: Billy Taylor Long Snapper Rutgers
Taylor was considered a top Long Snapper, in college before graduating from Rutgers. After his only opportunity was with the Jets in minicamp post the NFL draft, Taylor will be earning his first pro football experience with the Battlehawks.
Open Round:
6th Overall: Allie Green DB Missouri
A transfer from Tulsa, before finishing up at Mizzou. Green’s performance at Mizzou earned him an opportunity with the Bears as an UDFA in 2022. Despite being cut before camp, the former Mizzou Tiger was given a 5,500-signing bonus from the Chicago franchise.
11th Overall: George Campbell Wide Receiver West Virginia
Campbell comes to the Battlehawks after spending time at Florida State and West Viriginia. Despite a large 6’4 frame Campbell has never really lived up to the potential which garnered him a 4-star rating coming out of high school. Campbell recorded only 32 receptions for 675 and 7 touchdowns over 34 games played. Despite an underwhelming college career, Campbell has managed to procure opportunities with the Jets and Calgary Stampeders, most recently getting released with the Stamps in 2021. For Campbell the XFL is an extraordinary opportunity for him find himself in the right system and right coaching staff the Battlehawks may have found a steal in the open rounds.
22nd Overall: Damion Daniels Defensive Linemen Nebraska
Daniels was a recent cut of the Texans in mid-August of the 2022 NFL season. After only 15 starts at Nebraksa, Daniels is considered a raw prospect who needs a bit more seasoning but could prove to be a solid rotational piece for the Battlehawks.
27th Overall: Steven Mitchell Wide Receiver USC
Mitchell was with USC from 2014-2017 earning an honorable mention for the PAC-12. Mitchell would spend 2018-2020 in NFL with the Rams and Texans totaling seven receptions for 97 yards for his NFL career, until being released by Texans in 2021.
38th Overall: Leddie Brown Running Back West Virginia
Brown comes to the Battlehawks by way of West Virginia, after spending his 2022 camp with the Chargers. Brown put together two back-to-back 1,000 rushing campaigns in 2020, and 2021 enroute to earning a contract with the Chargers as a UDFA. Despite limited opportunities in the pre-season Brown did show promise as a pass catching option and could be a nice change of pace/3rd down back for the Battlehawks.
43rd Overall: Silas Kelly Linebacker Coastal Carolina
Kelly looks to be a fan favorite for Battlhawks already. The Coastal Carolina alum was an All-Sun Belt selection multiple times, totaling 339 tackles before getting an opportunity with the Browns. After getting spending time with the Browns in August Kelly would end up on injured reserve before getting waived on August 16th.
54th Overall: Jake Sutherland Tight End Morehead St
Big Suthey, out of Morehead State, comes back for his 2nd act in the XFL. After spending time with the Atlanta Legends, and New York Guardians, the power lifting Tight end, looks to be an enforcer for the Battlehawks in 2023. Not known for his pass-catching Sutherland is asset for the Battlehawks in run game as he’s essentially as strong as another tackle on the offensive line. His NFL comparison reminds me a lot of Eric Tomlinson on the Denver Broncos, a talent run blocker who can also make a play in the passing attack if left unchecked.
59th Overall: Gary Jennings Wide Receiver West Virginia
The Battlehawks picked up another West Virginia Receiver grabbing Gary Jennings Jr. Jennings recroded 22 starts and had 168 receptions for 2,294 yards and 17 touchdowns while WVU before being drafted in the 4th round in the 2019 draft. Since then, Jennings has bounced Seven NFL teams most recently being in camp with the Chiefs in 2022. He appeared in one game for the Dolphins in 2019.
70th Overall: Taniela Tupou Defensive Linemen Washington
Another San Diego Fleet Alumnus comes back to Dave Boller and Anthony Becht. Tupou is a well-traveled Defensive Linemen, who was actually a part of the earliest seasons of Brian Woods’ Spring League. After spending some time with the Cardinals, Seahawks, and Falcons (bird-nation), Tupou would transition to the AAF joining the San Diego Fleet and becoming an exceptional fun-stuffer. Though he was drafted by the XFL 2.0’s Seattle Dragons, Tupou did not appear in a game and like his teammate Galen Robinson has been playing Professional Rugby for the past couple years.
Open QB Allocations:
Nick Tiano Quarterback Tennessee-Chattanooga
Tiano is already a well-traveled QB prospect before coming to the XFL. Like many on this list Tiano comes from multiple schools as he originally enrolled at Mississippi State before transferring to UT-Chattanooga. While in college, Tiano put up decent number however, struggled with accuracy issues leaving college with a 57.1 completion percentage. Despite less than dynamic numbers in college, Tiano managed to spend time with the Texans, Argos, and Alouettes, through 2020 and 2021. Tiano does sport a good arm, and great size and is considered a developmental prospect which is why he’ll most likely end up as QB3 for the Battlehawks coming into the season.
Currently the Battlehawks have 51 players on their roster, with the supplemental draft set in January, look for the Battlehawks to continue to add to this championship roster. As you can see the Battlehawks continued to find players with NFL resumes as well as ties to Coach Becht and Dave Boller’s days with the San Diego Fleet. Though many are willing to begin ranking these rosters, as with every Alt-League there are many unknowns. Despite these unknowns it definitely is a great day knowing that the Battlehawks have continued to grow their team, and fans can begin putting a face to the beloved franchise.
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