Each XFL Team’s Most NFL Ready Player
By Pat Rifino
A big form of advertising for any Alt-Football League is the ability to transition their players to the world's highest form of football, the NFL. Each player that leaves the XFL or USFL, tells the story of struggle, dedication, and perseverance, to battle through the trials of Spring Football, and make their way back to the mecca of the major sports. With the XFL already going into Week 4, of their season several players have already begun making their claim to return back to the NFL, below are each team’s most NFL-ready players so far this season.
***For the sake of not being boring Quarterbacks are being excluded from this list***
Arlington Renegades: Darnell Sankey LB
Sankey was a late signing, in the XFL and made his debut in Week 3. Sankey, who started as an undrafted in the NFL, bounced around 5 franchises earning over 300k, before coming up North to the CFL. The career move would end up working out for Sankey, as he earned a CFL All-Star Nod in 2021. Sankey made headlines in February as the Linebacker decided to forgo a contract from the Roughriders that would have made him one of the highest paid Linebackers in the CFL to join the Renegades. Sankey made his debut in week 3 for the Renegades, and was an immediate contributor totaling 8 Tackles, 0.5 sacks, and 2 TFL’s.
DC Defenders: Abram Smith RB
Abram Smith was an All-Conference Running Back at Baylor before going undrafted in 2022. After a failed attempt to latch on with the Saints, Smith was the first overall pick by the Defenders, and hasn’t disappointed. He’s totaled 187 All-Purpose Yards in three games and is currently second in the XFL in Rushing Yards. If Smith continues his consistent level of production, look for Smith to have his number called, once the XFL season is finished.
Houston Roughnecks: Max Borghi RB
Despite being a UDFA in 2022 out of the late Mike Leach’s Washington State, Borghi has already been a member of three NFL teams but unfortunately did not spend any time on an NFL Active Roster, or Practice Squad. None of that matters to Borghi, who has excelled in AJ Smith Houston Roughnecks Offense, totalling over 250 All-Purpose Yards in the XFL. For NFL teams that are looking for versatile options who run, catch, and play special teams, Borghi checks all those options and should have some NFL interest come his way this May. At a minimum NFL teams may want to bring him in just to mimic Christian McCaffrey on the scout team.
Orlando Guardians: Lance Lenoir WR
On an Orlando team that doesn’t have many bright spots, the recent signing of Lance Lenoir should bring a smile to fans of Alt-Football. Lenoir spent 2022 with the USFL’s Michigan Panthers leading the league in receptions and placing second in receiving yards. Lenoir latched on with the Rams in late 2022, however, was not offered a futures deal after the season. A great special teams option, and a veteran of Eight NFL games, look for Lenoir to garner another opportunity in an NFL camp, for a team looking for a special teams contributor, who can pick up a playbook real quick.
San Antonio Brahmas: Kameron Kelly DB
Another CFL vet, Kelly, a Texas native returned home after putting together an All-Star performance in 2022. Kelly, who is still only 26 was thrown into action after signing with San Antonio on February 15th, and has already appeared in two games for the Brahmas. As the season continues to progress, look for Kelly’s impact to increase as he grows as a leader for San Antonio and finds his way back in an NFL training camp.
Seattle Sea Dragons: Josh Gordon WR
I was skeptical about seeing Josh Gordon come to the XFL, as I felt his window had completely closed. Well, after three weeks of the 2023 season, Gordon has emerged as a Top-5 WR, making Ben DiNucci look like Pat Mahomes in this young season. Though he’s 31 years Old, Gordon is primed to get another NFL opportunity as the former All-Pro has consistently been a threat for opposing defenses the past three weeks with no signs of slowing down.
St. Louis Battlehawks: Hakeem Butler WR
Butler had to send Coach Anthony Becht a DM, in an effort to gain some traction for his XFL career. The 2019 4th-Round Pick went to the CFL in 2022 with limited success, before finding his way to St. Louis. With a big body, and the ability to fight for the football, Butler easily is one of the Battlehawks’ more pro-ready skill players and looks to be on his way to compete for an NFL job.
Vegas Vipers: Jeff Badet WR
It blows my mind that Jeff Badet hasn’t recorded a reception in an NFL game but injuries have definitely limited his opportunity. After putting together a solid showing in the 2020 XFL season, Badet bounced around with Washington, Atlanta, and Las Vegas in the 2020 and 2021 NFL seasons. After being primed to be a contributor for the USFL’s Michigan Panthers in 2022, the former Oklahoma WR, once again got bit by the injury bug and found himself released in May. Now finally healthy, Badet joins Butler and Gordon as the league's top echelon of WRs, and with QB Brett Hundley getting comfortable does not appear to be slowing down this season, looking to go straight from an XFL roster to an NFL training camp.
Over the 2020 and 2021 NFL seasons, the XFL has sent almost 70 players to NFL Training Camps, Active Roster, and Practice Squad. While PJ Walker and Taylor Heinicke certainly lead this bunch of Alt-Football “Heroes” it appears that the 2023 rosters brings the next wave of talent moving forward. With the USFL assisting 57 players transition to the NFL, the football wars of talent are in full effect and for players looking for an opportunity to showcase their skills as it doesn’t look like either of these leagues are going anywhere any time soon.
