Two Years Later Where Are The Leading XFL Rushers of 2020?

By Pat Rifino

A couple of months back, I recapped some of our favorite AAF running backs and looked into where they are in their careers. As you could imagine it was only fitting that I’d do this for the XFL rushing leaders as well. With the XFL 3.0 taking shape we may see a couple of familiar faces return to professional football that we haven’t seen in a while. Below are the Top Rushing leaders of the XFL 2.0 2020 season. 

*Slight roster moves may have occured since the publishing of this article

1. Tampa Bay Vipers: De’Veon Smith 90 Car 365 Yards 4.06 ypc 0 TD

Smith would lead the league in rushing yet never cross into paydirt. After the XFL Smith would join the BC Lions of the CFL before getting cut in March 2021. Despite all his accomplishments on the football field Smith is most known for getting cut by Kirby Wilson as a member of the Maulers on United by Football. Since then Smith has not been signed but has been extremely vocal about wanting to pursue work in the XFL 3.0.

2. St. Louis Battlehawks: Matt Jones 80 Car 314 Yards 3.93 ypc 1 TD

Jones, a former NFL 3rd round pick, joined the XFL after a two year hiatus from pro football. Since leaving the XFL Jones has not re-signed with any team/league and as of 2021 has been pretty inactive on twitter.

3. Tampa Bay Vipers: Jacques Patrick 60 Car 254 Yards 4.23 ypc 2 TD

Patrick would join the XFL after going undrafted in 2019. Upon cancellation of the league Patrick would bounce around NFL practice squads before making his NFL debut in 2021. So far Patrick has been with the Bengals, 49ers, Panthers, and Ravens. He’s rushed for 12 yards on 2 carries while playing in 2 NFL games.

4. Dallas Renegades: Cameron Artis-Payne 47 Car 241 Yards 5.13 ypc 2 TD

CAP was the perfect piece for a Renegades team that was beginning to find their stride. Upon his release from the XFL, CAP latched on with the Montreal Alouettes of the CFL before finding himself on and off injured reserve multiple times. So far in 2022 CAP remains on the injured reserve for the Als.

5. New York Guardians: Darius Victor 55 Car 238 Yards 4.33 ypc 0 TD

Victor could be viewed as the most successful since leaving the XFL. Victor is the 2nd player on the list to transition to the USFL and took the league by storm. Leading the league in touchdowns, second in rushing all the while earning All-USFL accolades in the 2022 season. Victor is in prime position for 2023 to continue his dominance as the USFL’s elite back moving forward.

6. Houston Roughnecks: James Butler 46 Car 221 Yards 4.8 ypc 2 TD

Upon the cancellation of the XFL, Butler became a stalwart for the BC Lions of the CFL. Butler in 2021 started eleven games for the Lions, and in the 2022 through three games has 6 total touchdowns and is in prime position to put up an All Star season for the Lions in 2022.

7. St. Louis Battlehawks: Jordan Ta’amu 41 Car 217 Yards 5.29 ypc 1 TD

Ta’amu would be the only QB on this list and was considered a budding star prior to the cancellation of the season. Ta’amu would bounce around NFL practice squads before finally transitioning to the USFL as the 2nd overall pick. Ta’amu immediately solidified himself as a top QB in the USFL leading the league in yards and touchdowns. He also added 365 yards on the ground while averaging 6.19 yards a carry. 

8. DC Defenders: Jhurell Pressley 42 Car 190 Yards 4.52 ypc 0 TD

Pressley was the leading rusher in AAF however, would split carries with Donnel Pumphrey for the Defenders. The cancellation of the 2020 XFL season would signal the end for Pressley as he was not able to latch on with any other leagues.

9. St. Louis Battlehawks: Christine Michael 51 Car 178 Yards 3.02 ypc 1 TD

The third Battlehawk on this list, Michael would provide a solid complimentary piece to Ta’amu and Matt Jones. Unfortunately, upon cancellation of the 2020 XFL season, Michel would not be able to continue his pro career and has been MIA from pro football since. 

10. DC Defenders: Donnel Pumphrey 46 Car 168 Yards 3.65 ypc 0 TD

After failing to latch on to another NFL team the former 4th rd pick joined Jhurell Pressley in what was a rather anemic rushing attack for the DC Defenders. Pumphrey would be on several NFL teams' workout list but never could transition into a roster spot. A rather sad fall from grace for a player who is the FBS all time leading rusher.  

The leading rushers of the XFL 2.0 all seemed to have a mixed bag of success post the cancellation of the league. About half would have an opportunity for other leagues while others seemed to have moved on from playing football. Regardless, each one was a part of the glorious history that is spring football.