Arlington Renegades Standout Receiver Victor Bolden Becomes 50th XFL Player to Secure NFL Contract
The XFL announced that Arlington Renegades wide receiver Victor Bolden is the 50th 2023 XFL player to sign an NFL contract this year after signing with the Houston Texans.
“Seeing these players take advantage of the opportunity created by the XFL to showcase their skills and earn a chance to compete in the NFL is exactly what we envisioned when we set out to expand the football ecosystem,” said Russ Brandon, XFL CEO and President. “This is a testament to the standard and commitment set by ownership to make player development, health and wellness, and performance science a priority in giving our athletes the best chance to unlock their dreams and potential.
It is also an incredible acknowledgment of the body of work done by our entire football departments at the League and team levels, especially our Directors of Player Personnel, Von Hutchins, Larry Lee, Will Lewis, Marc Lillibridge, Rick Mueller, Dave Boller, Joey Clinkscales and Randy Mueller who have worked tirelessly in bringing in top talent throughout the year.”
St. Louis Battlehawks defensive back Lukas Denis was the first XFL player to sign an NFL contract with the Atlanta Falcons following the season. The Falcons have signed eight XFL players, the most of any NFL team. St. Louis leads the XFL in NFL signings, with 10 players having signed to date. Additionally, 12 players named to the 2023 All-XFL Team have earned an NFL contract.
“There is no singular path to the NFL,” added Doug Whaley, XFL Senior Vice President of Player Personnel. “Every player has a different journey and story to tell. We are proud to support these players with an innovative platform that allows them to develop and showcase their skills, continue their careers and chase their dreams. We are excited to see many of them perform at the next level and cannot wait to watch this upcoming season.”
In addition to the 50 players who have signed with NFL teams, 167 invitations have been sent to XFL players for tryouts or individual workouts with NFL teams since the conclusion of the NFL regular season. Monday, May 15, was the first day XFL players could officially sign NFL contracts.
Below is the full list of players who have signed (listed in alphabetical order by their XFL team). If the players return to the XFL, they will rejoin their former teams.
|
NAME |
POSITION |
XFL TEAM |
NFL TEAM |
|
Victor Bolden |
WR |
Arlington Renegades |
Houston Texans |
|
Darren Evans |
DB |
Arlington Renegades |
New York Giants |
|
Bruce Hector |
DL |
Arlington Renegades |
New York Jets |
|
Willie Taylor |
LB |
Arlington Renegades |
Jacksonville Jaguars |
|
Chris Blair |
WR |
DC Defenders |
Atlanta Falcons |
|
Ferrod Gardner |
LB |
DC Defenders |
Washington Commanders |
|
Lucky Jackson |
WR |
DC Defenders |
Minnesota Vikings |
|
Liam Ryan |
OL |
DC Defenders |
Seattle Seahawks |
|
Abram Smith |
RB |
DC Defenders |
Minnesota Vikings |
|
Brandon Smith |
WR |
DC Defenders |
Arizona Cardinals |
|
Daniel Whelan |
PT |
DC Defenders |
Green Bay Packers |
|
Michael Bandy |
WR |
Houston Roughnecks |
Denver Broncos |
|
C.J. Brewer |
DL |
Houston Roughnecks |
Tampa Bay Buccaneers |
|
Jack Heflin |
DL |
Houston Roughnecks |
New Orleans Saints |
|
Jontre Kirklan |
WR |
Houston Roughnecks |
New Orleans Saints |
|
Jack Snyder |
OL |
Houston Roughnecks |
Minnesota Vikings |
|
Chuck Wiley |
DL |
Houston Roughnecks |
Cleveland Browns |
|
Caeveon Patton |
DL |
Orlando Guardians |
Atlanta Falcons |
|
Charleston Rambo |
WR |
Orlando Guardians |
Philadelphia Eagles |
|
Jordan Thomas |
TE |
Orlando Guardians |
Carolina Panthers |
|
Luq Barcoo |
DB |
San Antonio Brahmas |
Pittsburgh Steelers |
|
Matthew Gotel |
DL |
San Antonio Brahmas |
Atlanta Falcons |
|
Derrick Kelly |
OL |
San Antonio Brahmas |
Cleveland Browns |
|
Alize Mack |
TE |
San Antonio Brahmas |
Tennessee Titans |
|
Jacques Patrick |
RB |
San Antonio Brahmas |
Denver Broncos |
|
John Parker Romo |
K |
San Antonio Brahmas |
Detroit Lions |
|
Reid Sinnett |
QB |
San Antonio Brahmas |
Cincinnati Bengals |
|
Kobe Smith |
DL |
San Antonio Brahmas |
New York Giants |
|
Rex Sunahara |
LS |
San Antonio Brahmas |
Pittsburgh Steelers |
|
Ben DiNucci |
QB |
Seattle Sea Dragons |
Denver Broncos |
|
Austin Faoliu |
DE |
Seattle Sea Dragons |
Seattle Seahawks |
|
Antwuan Jackson |
DL |
Seattle Sea Dragons |
Carolina Panthers |
|
Niko Lalos |
LB |
Seattle Sea Dragons |
New Orleans Saints |
|
Michal Menet |
C |
Seattle Sea Dragons |
Atlanta Falcons |
|
Bryce Thompson |
DB |
Seattle Sea Dragons |
Miami Dolphins |
|
Barry Wesley |
OL |
Seattle Sea Dragons |
Atlanta Falcons |
|
Marcell Ateman |
WR |
St. Louis Battlehawks |
Buffalo Bills |
|
Kevin Atkins |
DL |
St. Louis Battlehawks |
New York Giants |
|
Hakeem Butler |
WR |
St. Louis Battlehawks |
Pittsburgh Steelers |
|
Lukas Denis |
DB |
St. Louis Battlehawks |
Atlanta Falcons |
|
Gary Jennings |
WR |
St. Louis Battlehawks |
Carolina Panthers |
|
Jaryd Jones-Smith |
OL |
St. Louis Battlehawks |
Washington Commanders |
|
LaCale London |
DL |
St. Louis Battlehawks |
Atlanta Falcons |
|
Nate Meadors |
DB |
St. Louis Battlehawks |
Cleveland Browns |
|
Mike Rose |
LB |
St. Louis Battlehawks |
Miami Dolphins |
|
Darrius Shepherd |
WR |
St. Louis Battlehawks |
Los Angeles Chargers |
|
Brandon Dillon |
TE |
Vegas Vipers |
Washington Commanders |
|
John Lovett |
RB |
Vegas Vipers |
Pittsburgh Steelers |
|
Mathew Sexton |
WR |
Vegas Vipers |
Atlanta Falcons |
|
Pita Taumoepenu |
LB |
Vegas Vipers |
New York Jets |
