Ranking the “Reported” Allotted XFL 2023 QBs
by Pat Rifino
On September 29th, XFL News Hub’s Mike Mitchell graced us with another bit of information. The XFL Insider graced us with the eight quarterbacks who have already been allotted a team moving forward to the 2023 season. With the XFL QB allotment draft set for the 15th of November and the draft on the 16th and 17th, it’ll only be a couple more weeks till all our favorite teams become “official”. Below is my ranked list of the first 8 assigned QBs for the 2023 XFL season.
8. Jalan McClendon Baylor/NC State: Las Vegas Vipers
McClendon is one of the least experienced QB’s to join the XFL 3.0. He only started three games in college and threw 136 passes in 29 appearances. In college, he backed up Jacoby Brissett, Ryan Finley at NC State, and Charlie Brewer at Baylor before joining the Ravens, and Redskins in 2019. McClendon was a part of the LA Wildcats in 2020 throwing four passes and rushing twice. McClendon does boast athletic ability and tenacity to stay relevant as the XFL 3.0 is bringing him back for 2023. Overall, I do not see McClendon being QB1 for the Vipers as he’s had opportunities in NFL and XFL to play but hasn’t wowed enough to be consistently looked at as a starter for any league.
7. Jawon Pass Louisville/ Prairie View A&M: San Antonio Brahmas
I like Pass, but what keeps me at 7 for me is his senior season at Prairie View for me. His 16:12 TD-Int ratio didn’t wow me after throwing 14:13 at Louisville. He threw 382 passes at Louisville, and 330 at Prairie View, so while he does have a decent sample size of work in college, It definitely leaves me wanting more. I do project Pass to be the QB1 at least for week one moving forward, however, if he isn’t able to put his receivers in a position to succeed, I do not see Head Coach Hines Ward having a long leash for Pass.
6. Drew Plitt Ball State: Arlington Renegades
A true rookie in 2022, Plitt did exactly what was asked in his limited appearances for the Bengals in the 2022 pre-season. Plitt, has plenty of collegiate experience with 38 starts, and boasts good arm strength that allows him to make pro-level throws. There are a lot of unknowns about Plitt, but his raw ability with the combination of being led by head coach Bob Stoops makes him an attractive candidate in the 2023 XFL.
5. Brandon Silvers Troy: Houston Roughnecks
I’m pumped to see Silvers back playing football but we also have a decent sample size with him. After 1503 attempts at Troy, and 307 attempts in the AAF, XFL, and TSL Silvers is a bonafide pro in the Alt-League Football space. I was a bit surprised that he was passed over in the USFL as I think it would have solidified his place as a pro QB. While I am a big supporter of Silvers I do believe that he is a high-end backup, as he was never a game-changer in the AAF and XFL. I’m sure Silvers will start games for the Roughnecks, but in AJ Smith’s offense, he’ll have every opportunity to prove me wrong.
4. D’Eriq King Houston/Miami: DC Defenders
King will have a chance to prove to the doubters that he is a legitimate QB at the pro level. While I was upset that he wasn’t able to showcase his skill set for the Patriots in 2022, it appears he’ll have that chance with the Defenders. King is definitely the most athletic, and versatile of the group, throwing 1,048 passes, rushing 423 times, and recording 61 receptions. His diverse skill set automatically makes him one of the more intriguing QBs on our list and prompts him to the Top-5 of XFL signal callers.
3. Steven Montez Colorado: Seattle Sea Dragons
Montez is in a pretty decent situation to succeed in XFL 3.0. After a pretty good career at Colorado, Montez spent two years in the NFL, and at one point was considered a candidate for the Washington Football Team to be utilized in a Taysom Hill-type role but that never materialized. Montez had some decent showings in the preseason in 2021 and comes to the XFL with 39 starts in college. The XFL is the perfect league for Montez as he’ll be able to showcase his skill set in February.
2. Deondre Francois Florida State/Hampton: Orlando Guardians
The XFL 3.0 is boom or bust for Francois. He’s either going to tear this league up or be benched after two weeks. Francois spent two seasons in the FCF posting a 19:3 TD-INT Ratio, and 10 rushing touchdowns and also spent a season playing in The Spring League, with the Blues. Francois would underwhelm in The Spring League, splitting time with Conor Kaegi, and XFL 2.0 Alumni Nick Fitzgerald completing 56.8% of his passes along with one touchdown on 44 attempts. Francois definitely has a story and the Pro experience to make a name for himself. Replacing Jameis Winston at FSU was no task and as a Freshman, he did a pretty decent job. Hopefully, Guardians OC Robert Ford is able to put him in a position to be a start in this league.
1. Ryan Willis Kansas/VA Tech: St. Louis Battlehawks
Am I showing a bit of bias with Willis, yeah I am, but Willis tore up The Spring League in 2021, which led him to earn an NFL contract with the Bears. The Linemen were above and beyond any Spring League team in 2021, and Willis was the leading piece for Hal Mumme’s team. Willis was the MVP of the Spring League and outside of Silvers is the most experienced Spring league QB. As the MVP he’s the top choice, to succeed in the XFL 3.0 and the number one guy to build the league around right now.
