Top 10 XFL Receivers of 2020, Where Are They Now?
By Pat Rifino
With NFL training camps winding down, many USFL teams are seeing their former players get cut from the NFL teams. As with what we’ve seen for the AAF and XFL teams it’s not uncommon for many players to get cut. Recently with the XFL, set to begin drafting players in November of 2022, let's revisit some of our favorite receivers and see what they are up to post XFL 2.0.
See my previous article, Two Years Later Where Are The Leading XFL Rushers of 2020?
Cam Phillips, Houston Roughnecks
31 Receptions 455 Yards 9 Touchdowns
Phillips exploded onto the XFL after being cut by the Bills in the NFL. Earning the XFL receiving triple-crown, Phillips would earn an NFL contract with the Carolina Panthers, however, an inability to contribute on Special Teams has always been Phillips' downfall. Phillips would get signed by the Hamilton Ti-Cats, before being released until joining the Toronto Argonauts in late 2021. Going into 2022, Phillips has become a bonafide starting receiver in the CFL so far starting 7 games in 2022.
Daniel Williams, Tampa Bay Vipers
23 Receptions 338 Yards 1 Touchdown
Williams was one of three top 10 receivers that were able to make waves in the XFL. Williams, who was on and off NFL practice squads before joining the Vipers, used the AAF to begin his solidification as an Alt-League pro. Post-XFL, Williams joined the Calgary Stampeders and would bounce between the Active Roster and Practice Squad. Williams would record Five Receptions for Fifty-Two Yards before being released.
Donald Parham, Dallas Renegades
24 Receptions 307 Yards 4 Touchdowns
The first Tight End on our list Parham provides some representation for the dynamic bigger guys out there. Parham easily was the best Tight End in the XFL and found himself employed rather quickly with the NFL’s LA Chargers. Since leaving the XFL Parham has become a reliable cog in the Chargers offense recording 30 receptions for 349 yards and 6 touchdowns. After an injury scare in 2021, Parham goes into 2022 as a premier pass catching option for Justin Herbert.
Jalen Tolliver, Tampa Bay Vipers
21 Receptions 297 Yards 1 Touchdown
A Division II prospect, Tolliver overachieved by seeing action with the Cardinals in 2018 recording 3 receptions for 37 yards in the NFL. Since then Tolliver didn’t see much NFL success. Tolliver would get cut in 2019 by the Cardinals, Chiefs, and Titans before finding himself in the XFL. Tolliver, despite an unstable QB room for the Vipers, Tolliver managed to become a Top-5 Reciever in the XFL and earned a CFL contract with the Edmonton Elks. Even though Tolliver played in 12 games and started 6 in 2021, he would get cut in June 2022 and is currently a free agent.
Tre McBride, LA Wildcats
16 Receptions 271 Yards 4 Touchdowns
A veteran of 17 NFL games, Tre McBride was traded from the DC Defenders to the LA Wildcats, to join Josh Johnson and Winston Moss. McBride would become a Top-5 receiver in the XFL and the leading receiver for Josh Johnson despite only playing in 4 of 5 XFL games. Currently McBride is out of football, and has not had an opportunity since the XFL 2.0.
Nick Holley, Houston Roughnecks
21 Receptions 267 Yards 2 Touchdowns
The former Kent State QB, came to the XFL after attempting to catch on in the NFL and being waived in the AAF. Holley would be a key weapon for PJ Walker in the slot as he transitioned from QB to RB to Slot receiver. Upon the completion of the XFL, Holley would join the Calgary Stampeders, and play in 3 games and starting 2 of them. Unfortunately Holley would get cut by the Stampeders in 2022 and is currently in the XFL draft pool for 2023.
Nelson Spruce, LA Wildcats
20 Receptions 267 Yards 2 Touchdowns
An Alt League favorite, Spruce began his pro-career in the NFL in 2016. Failing to get signed by several NFL franchises, Spruce would transition to the AAF with the San Diego Fleet where he was a Top-5 Reciever in that league. Upon the folding of the AAF, Spruce kept the momentum going in the XFL being the 7th best receiver in the league despite playing in only 3 games. Upon completion of the XFL, Spruce would get cut by the Montreal Alouettes in 2021 and has not played pro-football since.
L’Damian Washington, St. Louis Battlehawks
21 Receptions 252 Yards 2 Touchdowns
Washington bounced around the CFL and NFL before finally finding consistent employment within the AAF with the Birmingham Iron. Upon the completion of the AAF, Washington became the top receiver for Coach Hayes and Jordan Ta’amu in the Covid shortened XFL season. Upon completion of the XFL, Washington became the head coach at West Middle School in Columbia, Missouri before joining the Oklahoma Sooners as a Wide Receivers coach in 2022.
Reece Horn, Tampa Bay Vipers
27 Receptions 240 Yards 1 Touchdown
Horn has been in almost every professional football league in North America since turning pro. Horn has played in the NFL, CFL, ELF, TSL, AAF, and XFL and currently is back in the ELF playing for the Frankfurt Galaxy. Horn is also in the XFL Draft Pool for the 2023 XFL 3.0 season for a possible return to the United States
Jordan Smallwood, Los Angeles Wildcats
18 Receptions 236 Yards 1 Touchdown
Smallwood was an NFL preseason vet who never got an opportunity to play in a regular-season game. After stints with the Chiefs, 49ers, Lions, Chargers, and one stint with the Saskatchewan Roughriders, joined the LA Wildcats and became a reliable option for Josh Johnson. Smallwood, would earn a contract in CFL with the Ottawa Redblacks and would play in 3 games during the 2021 season. In 2022, Smallwood was released by the Redblacks and is currently a free agent.
