10 XFL Players We Want to See Return
by Patrick Rifino
The XFL is set to return in 2023, and the idea of the “premier” spring league in the minds of many alt-football fans has gotten the minds racing of XFL, AAF or other spring football leagues alike in imaging who they would like to see return to the field when the XFL 3.0 arrives, 2020 was a strange year for many of us, and even stranger for professional athletes. Many XFL athletes already transitioned from the AAF to what seemed to be a stable business operation only to get ravaged and destroyed by a global pandemic. With the XFL 3.0 set to come back with an even stronger business plan in February 2023, many of these athletes could find their way back in the familiar uniforms many football fans fell in love with. So here are Ten XFL Standouts we’d love to see back in the spring of 2023 under the management of Redbird Capital, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Dany Garcia.
Luis Perez QB
Luis Perez came to prominence when he took the field for the AAF’s Birmingham Iron in 2019. After being cut by the Rams in 2018, Perez used his time with the Iron to garner contracts with the Lions, and Eagles before joining the XFL in 2020 with the New York Guardians. The former Harlon Hill winner and DII National Champion ended up starting two games after former NFL vet Matt McGloin was benched before the league ceased operations due to COVID-19. Perez recently played in The Spring League for the Jousters and is currently unsigned. A folk hero of sorts, Perez seems that he will continue to try to play football and would be a welcomed addition to the XFL 3.0.
Shawn Oakman DL
Oakman’s career has certainly not lacked controversy or excitement. After being dismissed from Penn State, Oakman turned out a prolific career at Baylor. However, a sexual assault allegation derailed his pro career as he went from a possible first round pick to becoming undraftable. Oakman would go on to play in the AAL, CIF, TSL, and the XFL before winning a championship in the Fan Controlled Football League. Oakman was able to join the Toronto Argonauts in the CFL becoming an All-Star in 2021. With Oakman’s CFL contract set to expire in 2023, the time frame lines up perfectly for him to return to the XFL for another opportunity.
Quinton Flowers QB/RB
Flowers was originally drafted by the Tampa Bay Vipers as running back but was utilized as QB due to Taylor Cornelius' struggles. Flowers went undrafted in the 2018 draft after a record setting career at USF and was able to spend 2018 with the Bengals before getting cut by the Colts in 2019. After the XFL ceased operations in 2020, Flowers joined the FCFL in 2021 were he led the league in rushing TD and passing TD leader. Flowers, who is a bit of a local legend, could be extremely welcomed if a South Florida team returns to the XFL in 2023.
Reece Horn
If there is a football league, Reece Horn has most likely played in it. The 2016 UDFA out of the University of Indianapolis has played in the NFL, Italian Football League, Austrian Football League, AAF, XFL, and TSL. Horn continues to find himself employed and was most recently with the Bengals before getting cut in 2021. If history tells us anything Reece Horn will most likely find himself employed in both the USFL and XFL and whatever other spring leagues come around in the future.
Taylor Russolino
Recently worked out by the Panthers last week the Division III Millsaps college alum has also had a well traveled career. The Louisiana native has played in the CIFL, AFL, IFL, China Arena Football League, CFL, XFL and was most recently on the Denver Broncos in 2020. Despite his success in college and in the XFL Russolino hasn’t been able to find something permanent. In a recent interview he stated that he would like to continue playing Football and that Saint Louis needs a professional team. Could a reunion be in the works if the BattleHawks return in 2023?
Kony Ealy
This may come as a surprise to some but I welcome Kony Ealy making a return to the XFL. Ealy, is a local Missouri guy who had an extremely successful career at Mizzou. Though his NFL career did not work out it’s extremely possible that playing for the local XFL Battlehawks could put fans in the stands (looking at you Drew Lock). Ealy is currently playing in the CFL with the Toronto Argonauts (with Shawn Oakman) and is also a free agent in 2023.
Kenneth Farrow
A two-time spring football league alumnus Kenneth Farrow was considered a top running back in the AAF and XFL. Since last playing for the Seattle Dragons in 2020, he hasn’t garnered much interest in the NFL. Still relatively young it would not be a surprising transition for Farrow to bring in the new league in 2023.
Nelson Spruce
Nelson Spruce has also bounced around several leagues, most recently the CFL with the Montreal Alouettes. After being in the top-5 in receiving in the AAF and being selected to the XFL’s mid-season team, Spruce can once again solidify himself as a top target in the new XFL, and bring stability for younger less experienced QBs.
PJ Walker
Walker was considered the MVP of the league at one point while playing for the Houston Roughnecks and though he’s never lost a start as a professional QB, his starts in the NFL have been less than stellar. I think Walker is a great QB however, I believe he is a bit limited and may not be able to have sustained success in the NFL. Walker coming back to the XFL will allow him to continue his career for years, and will allow to be “the guy” for whichever franchise selects him.
