![]() ![]() LB Donald Payne - The former Stetson Hatter can also play DE, but he starred as an inside linebacker in the USFL. He is a first generation American, as his parents immigrated to the U.S. He played collegiately at Texas A&M from 2014-17 and led team with 79 tackles and 14.5 TFL as senior. LB Otaro Alaka - Made the Ravens initial 53-man roster out of training camp as an UDFA in 2019, marking the 16th straight year for an UDFA to make the Ravens opening roster. “Slow Your Roll.” – Key players on defense Plitt gets the first bite of the apple this weekend in the opener. He’s been first-team all-USFL but now at the age of 28 this could truly be his last opportunity to really bloom. His competition, Sloter, is no stranger to spring football. His most recent NFL experience was in 2022 preseason with his hometown Cincinnati Bengals. QB Drew Plitt - the Ball State product was selected during QB Selection Show in November and was duking it out with veteran Kyler Sloter for the starting job. On the field, he’s made his mark with the Bills as a back-up in 2018, then moved on to the practice squads of the Colts and Packers before playing for Jonathan Hayes’ XFL BattleHawks in 2020. Ford has spent time as an amateur MMA fighter and was ranked as high as number 24 on the list of amateur men’s welterweights in Texas. RB Keith Ford - “Ford Tough” had gone undrafted in 2018 after playing in college at Oklahoma and Texas A&M. That part of his life is shelved for now as he’s emerged as the team’s #1 receiver. The Oklahoma native works as an online personal trainer and is passionate about personal wellness, supporting multiple supplement and skin care brands. ![]() Look for a bigger role in this Renegades high-speed offense. WR Jordan Smallwood - Coach Stoops loves those Sooners and there’s plenty to love about Smallwood’s potential: the stats haven’t quite matched his talent yet since he was stuck on the practice squads of the Chiefs and Chargers, but in the XFL he averaged 5 receptions per game for the LA Wildcats in 2020. ![]() “Can’t Take My Eyes Off Of You.” – Key players on offense They will each be on the headsets Saturday, with Long and co-defensive coordinator Tim Lewis coaching from upstairs. Jon’s brother Jay is also on the Renegades staff as co-defensive coordinator. His son, Jaxson, was a star basketball player at the University of Texas and selected by New Orleans in the 1st round (8th overall) of the 2019 NBA Draft. He was a standout TE as a player for Bob Stoops at Oklahoma and had a 12-year NFL career with the Chiefs and Steelers. Hayes his XFL coaching experience as coach of the 2020 St. Former Hawkeyes Chauncey Golston and Anthony Hitchens have been welcomed to DFW by the Cowboys, so why not Long, Hayes and Stoops. Jonathan Hayes - The co-offensive coordinator is part of the great Iowa Hawkeye migration to the Metroplex. Week 1 kicks off on his 60th birthday this Saturday. He was also an excellent analyst for the Big Ten Network for several years. A College Football Hall of Famer, Long was an assistant coach at Iowa and Oklahoma before serving as the head coach at San Diego State. “The Wind Beneath (His) Wings” – Notable assistant coachesĬhuck Long - the co-offensive coordinator has known Coach Stoops since they were college teammates: Long was a Rose Bowl QB in college at Iowa for Haden Fry, then professionally with the Lions and Rams. I want this to be a fun, watchable team on both sides of the ball, and I know our fans expect that.” I really believe I got an incredible coaching staff on both sides of the ball, so you know we’re going to put a good product on the field. All these guys have had great energy at every practice, and they have been a really tight group for having just come together. One thing I do know though is this team will be exciting. I’d love to be able to compare this team to some others that people may be familiar with, pro or college, but this is going to be taking shape differently as we go. “What Does The Fox Say?” – Quotes from the Coachīob Stoops: “Nothing’s fully formed yet. The others fire it up Saturday, so let’s get you ready… San Antonio is the South Division’s only team that must wait until Sunday, with its home game vs. Do the Renegades have a built-in advantage because they only get on an airplane three times all regular season? Seattle, for example will do so (Ben Stein voice from Ferris Bueller’s Day Off) nine times. Such are the quirks of the XFL, which kicks off this weekend. Bus trips are expected to Houston and San Antonio and Arlington means home games for all concerned. Three Texas teams and one in Orlando comprise the XFL South. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |