Draft-eligible linebacker Willie Taylor signs as an undrafted free agent with Jacksonville
ARLINGTON, TEXAS (May 17, 2023) – The XFL announced that three additional players from XFL teams have signed NFL contracts. D.C. punter Daniel Whelan, who signed with the Green Bay Packers, was named to the 2023 All-XFL Team on May 8. This brings the total number of players who have signed an NFL contract to 21, including seven who earned All-XFL Team honors.
Arlington linebacker Willie Taylor signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars as an undrafted free agent. Taylor, 23, was one of just three XFL players eligible for the NFL Draft, along with Seattle quarterback Harrison Frost and San Antonio defensive back Marco Domio. Taylor finished the season with four sacks and led the Renegades with eight tackles for loss.
To date, 58 players have either been invited to camps or have held individual workouts with NFL teams since the conclusion of the regular season. Monday, May 15, was the first day XFL players could officially sign NFL contracts. If the players return to the XFL, they will resume with their former teams.
The full list of players who have signed contracts as of 6 p.m. ET on their respective days are listed below in alphabetical order.
NAME | POSITION | XFL TEAM | NFL TEAM | 2023 ACCOLADES/STATS |
Announced on May 17 | ||||
Alize Mack | TE | San Antonio Brahmas | Tennessee Titans | 28 receptions, 230 yards, 1 TD, 8.2 yards per reception |
Willie Taylor | LB | Arlington Renegades | Jacksonville Jaguars | 16 total tackles, 4.0 sacks, 8.0 TFL, 1 INT, 2 FF |
Daniel Whelan | P | D.C. Defenders | Green Bay Packers | All-XFL Team, 29 total punts, 45.6 punting average, 8 punts inside the 20-yard line, 4 postseason punts, 53.8 postseason punting average |
Announced on May 16 | ||||
Luq Barcoo | CB | San Antonio Brahmas | Pittsburgh Steelers | All-XFL Team, 31 total tackles, 1.0 sack, 3.0 TFL, 1 INT, 1 FF, 1 FR |
Hakeem Butler | WR | St. Louis Battlehawks | Pittsburgh Steelers | All-XFL Team, 51 receptions, 599 yards, 8 TDs, 11.7 yards per reception |
Gary Jennings | WR | St. Louis Battlehawks | Carolina Panthers | 11 receptions, 149 yards, 3 TDs, 13.5 yards per reception |
Jaryd Jones-Smith | OL | St. Louis Battlehawks | Washington Commanders | All-XFL Team, 67.7 offensive grade from PFF |
Jacques Patrick | RB | San Antonio Brahmas | Denver Broncos | 115 rushing attempts, 443 rushing yards, 5 TDs, 30 receptions, 238 receiving yards |
Charleston Rambo | WR | Orlando Guardians | Philadelphia Eagles | 35 receptions, 430 yards, 3 TDs, 12.3 yards per reception |
Jordan Thomas | TE | Orlando Guardians | Carolina Panthers | 8 receptions, 148 yards, 3 TDs, 18.5 yards per reception; Also saw action on defense |
Announced on May 15 | ||||
CJ Brewer | DL | Houston Roughnecks | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 17 total tackles, 2.5 sacks, 2.0 TFL, 1 FR |
Lukas Denis | S | St. Louis Battlehawks | Atlanta Falcons | 37 total tackles, 1.0 sack, 2.0 TFL, 2 INT |
Ben DiNucci | QB | SeattleSea Dragons | Denver Broncos | 242-of-374, 2,671 passing yards, 20 passing TDs, 13 INTs, 305 rushing yards, 3 rushing TDs |
Austin Faoliu | DL | SeattleSea Dragons | Seattle Seahawks | All-XFL Team, 24 total tackles, 1.0 sack, 2.0 TFL, 1 FR |
Jack Heflin | DL | Houston Roughnecks | New Orleans Saints | All-XFL Team, 25 total tackles, 1.0 sack, 3.0 TFL, 1 FR |
Antwuan Jackson | DL | Seattle Sea Dragons | Carolina Panthers | 20 total tackles, 1.0 TFL, 54.0 defensive grade from PFF |
Niko Lalos | LB | Seattle Sea Dragons | New Orleans Saints | 35 total tackles, 1.5 sacks, 7.0 TFL, 1 FF, 1 INT |
LaCale London | DL | St. Louis Battlehawks | Atlanta Falcons | 33 tackles, 3.0 sacks, 5.0 TFL, 2 FF, 1 FR |
John Parker Romo | K | San Antonio Brahmas | Detroit Lions | All-XFL Team, 17 FG, 19 FGA, 2-3 from 50+ yards, 57-yard long FGM |
Bryce Thompson | S | Seattle Sea Dragons | Miami Dolphins | 34 tackles, 0.5 sack, 4 TFL, 2 INT |
Barry Wesley | OL | Seattle Sea Dragons | Atlanta Falcons | 83.4 pass blocking grade and a 68.9 offensive grade from PFF |
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Mark Perry, a devoted sports journalist and founder of XFL News Hub, has been a key figure in XFL coverage since its 2018 revival. Launching XFL News Hub soon after the league's return announcement, Mark has established the platform as a primary source for comprehensive XFL updates. Renowned for his in-depth knowledge and commitment to sports journalism, Mark actively engages the XFL community, welcoming interactions at mark.perry@xflnewshub.com.
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Delair Morgan Sr.
May 18, 2023 at 9:16 am
Mr. Perry
Im curious if Martavis Bryant has or is even eligible to play in the XFL? I read somewhere that Cam Heyward is trying to get the League to allow Bryant to eligible to return to the NFL and I seen that he played in the Canadian League and a couple others but didn’t see the XFL. Is that his choice or is there any rules in place that prevent him from signing and playing in the XFL? I appreciate the read and or response. Keep up the great work.