Every XFL Team's Most Exciting Draft Pick in the 2023 Rookie Draft
By Pat Rifino
On Friday, June 16th the XFL made a bit of history by conducting their first Rookie Draft throughout the three iterations of the league. After seeing 30 of its players so far earn NFL contracts, XFL coaches and executives quickly got to work, by replenishing their roster with not new talent, but also due to the fact rosters have expanded from 51 to 90 in the offseason. With this new crop of talent now joining the XFL, I decided to go through all the draft picks of each team and decide which players I am most excited about going into 2024.
Arlington Renegades
Quarterback Connor Degenhardt New Haven
I did a full breakdown on Connor Degenhardt on YouTube, so as you could imagine I was extremely excited to see the 6-6 signal caller get an opportunity in the XFL. Degenhardt performed well in two seasons at New Haven throwing for 3,907 yards and 43 touchdowns to just nine interceptions. He also ran for 193 yards and 19 touchdowns in two total seasons. Degenhardt was named Second Team Northeast-10 All-Conference in 2021. He participated in Kansas City Chiefs rookie minicamp this spring. Prior to New Haven Degenhardt spent three seasons at Holy Cross throwing for over 2500 yards and 16 Touchdowns. Degenhardt certainly has an opportunity to make a run at the starting job in Arlington, especially for a team that wants to push the ball downfield which was an aspect of the Renegades’ game that was missing last year. For a “League of Opportunity,” Degenhardt is certainly in line to take advantage of it.
DC Defenders
Defensive Back Bentlee Sanders Nevada
A physical Defensive Back with the last name Sanders, and under 5’10? Sounds like something football fans have seen before. Sanders shows versatility as not only a Defensive Back but also as a Kick Returner earning All-Conference Honors at USF in 2018. Sanders can play the Nickel, and play Safety as well, however does have issues sometimes making tackles, though not for a lack of physicality. Overall, Sanders’ speed, versatility, and ball skills set him up in line to be an impact Defender for Greg Williams Defense in 2024. For those looking for an XFL pro comparison, think Will Likely of the Houston Roughnecks.
Houston Roughnecks
Quarterback Lindsey Scott Jr. Incarnate Word
The drafting of Scott begins a series of questions regarding what Houston wants to do at QB. In 2022, Scott set a new FCS record for passing touchdowns with 60, and also added 11 touchdowns on the ground to bring his total to 71. Prior to his time at UIW, Scott had a long journey through several different levels of college football, starting at LSU in 2016. After one year with the Tigers as a redshirt freshman, he transferred to East Mississippi Community College (EMCC) in 2017, where he threw for 3,481 yards and 29 touchdowns. From there, he signed with Missouri, but was only a part of the scout team and later used another redshirt for injury. In 2019, he once again transferred to Nicholls State, putting him back home in Louisiana. Scott finally began to see some action, throwing for over 2,000 yards and scoring 25 total touchdowns in 2021.
While he could have ended his playing days there, Scott made one final move over to Texas for his seventh collegiate season, a move that would prove to be worthwhile. On top of his 71 total touchdowns, Scott threw for a whopping 4,686 yards and rushed for another 712. After making history, he took home the Walter Payton Award, given each year to the most outstanding player at the FCS level. Additionally, he was also named the Southland Conference Player of the Year. Having just turned 25, Scott is definitely on the older side for a rookie, but still has plenty of interest at the pro level. He was invited to minicamps hosted by the New York Jets and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, while also being selected by the USFL’s Pittsburgh Maulers in their college rights draft.
Orlando Guardians
Offensive Tackle Jarrett Horst Michigan State
The number #1 overall pick in the USFL Draft goes to the 5th round in the XFL draft and provides instant stability for the Guardians who struggled mightily at that position in 2023. Horst split time at Ellsworth Community College, Arkansas State, before finishing up at Michigan State in 2021, and 2022. Horst does have great footwork and is an extremely physical blocker with a plethora of experience after playing in over 50 games over his college career. While Horst does have all the physical traits and passes the “eye” test as a Tackle his biggest Achilles heel is that he doesn’t do the best job of bending at the hips and oftentimes bends his waist too much which can expose him against some of the XFL’s better Pass Rushers. Overall, Horst serves as an immediate upgrade for what the Guardians currently have at the Tackle position currently.
San Antonio Brahmas
Wide Receiver Carlos Carriere Central Michigan
T.J. Vasher was supposed to be the Brahmas’ big-bodied receiver in 2023, but after only putting up 16 receptions and 1 Touchdown, San Antonio may have started looking for an upgrade for a big red zone threat. Carriere is a 6’5 Receiver hosting decent speed at 4.5 and an average vertical of 33” inches, Carriere could easily be a surprise star in 2024 after recently getting released by the Giants. In college, he totaled 83 Receptions for 1000 yards while playing in 26 games at Maryland and Central Michigan.
Seattle Sea Dragons
Wide Receiver Chadarius Townsend Texas Tech
The Sea Dragons haven’t “lost” any receivers to the NFL yet, but that doesn’t mean OC June Jones isn’t already prepping for a departure or two. Townsend started his college career at the University of Alabama before transferring to Texas Tech in 2020. Townsend’s college career was riddled with injuries limiting him to 16 games while in college. While injuries are never easy to come back from, Townsend’s ability to play Running Back, Wide Receiver, and return Kicks makes him a valuable asset for June Jones’ offense in 2024.
St. Louis Battlehawks
Linebacker Johnny Buchanan Delaware
Buchanan became a starter and, for the next three years, became one of the FCS’s most dominant Linebackers earning multiple 1st and 2nd Team All-CAA Honors. In 2022 Buchanan would set career bests in tackles for a loss (8.5), sacks (1.5), and tackles (150) leading the FCS in tackles, earning 1st Team All-American on six lists, making him a finalist for the Buck Buchanan Award, given to the best defender in the FCS.
Quoting XFL News Hub writer Dusty Wilson he put it best “He plays with a bulldog attitude of latching onto the ball carrier and refusing to let go until he wins. He’s also a complete menace playing in the zone. That kind of tenacity has the capacity to make someone a star in the XFL”. Look for Battlehawks Linebacker Coach Chris Claiborne to have a lot of fun with this former Blue Hen, who seems to have a nose for always being around the ball at the right time.
Vegas Vipers
Offensive Line Nick Amoah UC Davis
I have a soft spot for intelligent Offensive Linemen, and Amoah fits that mold. Amoah, who is an engineering major, not only shows intelligence in the classroom but also on the field as the UC Davis alum played both Tackle and Guard in college. With the Vipers seemingly going all in with QB Jalan McClendon, the Vipers went all in drafting 4 Offensive linemen in this rookie draft, Amoah possibly being a budding star out of the bunch.
