Author: XFLBoard Editor

XFL Xtra Episode 14-2019 – Unified – Kristjan Sokoli, Jackson Conner and Jai Nokes

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First, we hear from Kristjan Sokoli, a defensive lineman who is currently in the DC Defenders Minicamp. He will give us his take on how the minicamp is progressing. Then we talk to Jackson Conner, an XFLBoard.com contributor from Seattle, and talk about the XFL uniforms, the balls and the progress of the Seattle Dragons. Finally, we take you to Texas, where we hear from Jai Nokes, one of our XFLBoard.com contributors for the Dallas Renegades. Jai gives us his take on the uniforms, the balls, and an update on the Dallas Renegades.

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XFL Xtra Episode 13-2019 – Looking forward, looking back – Terrell Alex and Mark Zelakowski

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We hear from LA Wildcats XFL supplementary draft pick Terrell Alex. Terrell comes to the XFL after a diverse football career which has taken him from Southern University in Baton Rouge, to Canada, and to the Arena League, and most recently to a southern California league called the LDFL. We hear how Terrell feels an opportunity with the XFL is just what he needs at this point in his career. Then we talk to Mark Zelakowski, one of our XFLBoard.com team reporters for the Tampa Bay Vipers. We reminisce about Mark’s time as a reporter for the Orlando Rage, and hear about what happened when they served too much beer to the fans in the Citrus Bowl.

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XFL Xtra Episode 12-2019 – Opportunity – Connor Davis and Anthony Miller

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First, we hear from XFL draft pick Connor Davis. Connor is a young talented tight end who attended Stony Brook University. After college he was invited to a New York Giants rookie camp, and later played for the Birmingham Iron of the AAF. Now he is working hard to prepare for an upcoming training camp with the St. Louis BattleHawks. Then we talk to Dallas Renegades XFLBoard.com team reporter Anthony Miller. We discuss the XFL supplemental draft, the quarterback situation and how the league is preparing itself for the upcoming season.

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The St. Louis BattleHawks have added quarterback Taylor Heinicke to their roster ahead of today’s XFL Supplemental Draft

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News from the St. Louis BattleHawks

“It’s important for every team to have three good quarterbacks,” BattleHawks Head Coach and General Manager Jonathan Hayes said.  “As I mentioned previously, we were going to add at least one more quarterback at some point, whether it was through the draft or signing someone. In this case, we’re very excited the league has assigned us Taylor.”

An All-American and Walter Payton Award winner, Heinicke passed for nearly 15,000 yards while at Old Dominion and ranked third all-time in FBS history in total offense, fourth in FBS with 132 touchdown passes and sixth in passing yards.

The 26-year old Heinicke joins quarterbacks Jordan Ta’amu and Brogan Roback on the BattleHawks. Ta’amu was also signed by the XFL and assigned to St. Louis and the team drafted Roback in October.

“Like Jordan, Taylor is someone that we scouted and expressed our interest in to the league,” Hayes said. “His skill set fits nicely with the type of offense we plan to run. And it never hurts to add someone who has additional pro experience. All three quarterbacks will have the chance to show what they can do.  And from a work standpoint, it will be beneficial to have three arms to handle all the throws that are going to be made in camp.”

Undrafted in 2015, Heinicke spent time with the Minnesota Vikings (2015-2017), New England Patriots (2017), Houston, Texans (2017) and the Carolina Panthers (2018-2019).

St. Louis will also participate in the XFL Supplemental Draft, which begins today at 11am CT. The BattleHawks will pick eighth in the draft, which will use a snake format and consist of ten minutes per round, one minute per pick, and have a three minute break between rounds. Picks will be shared at XFL.com at the conclusion of the draft.

XFL Xtra Episode 11-2019 – Adjustments – Johnny Stanton IV, Greg Parks and Mike Mitchell

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We interview XFL draft pick Johnny Stanton IV. Throughout high school, college and a brief NFL career, Stanton overcame many challenges, and played many different positions. We hear about his path to a pro football career that has now led him to be drafted by the Los Angeles Wildcats of the XFL. Then we talk to XFLBoard.com team reporters Greg Parks and Mike Mitchell. We discuss the upcoming XFL Supplemental draft, the league’s marketing efforts, and make presumptions about the upcoming reveals of the team uniforms and the XFL ball.

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XFL Xtra Episode 10-2019 – Breaking in – Dimitrios Tsesmetzis and XFLChick

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Dimitrios Tsesmetzis, a tall tight end that impressed coaches at the New York XFL Summer Showcase, was drafted by the DC Defenders in the open phase of the XFL draft. We talk to Dimitrios and learn why he feels the XFL is part of his journey to a lengthy and productive pro-football career. Then we talk to “XFLChick,” one of a few female XFL fans on Twitter. We hear why she follows the XFL, about her views as to how the XFL could draw more female fans, how it’s more than men that enjoy fantasy football, and we talk about the social media game of #XFL teams.

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XFL Xtra Episode 9-2019 – Comebacks – Kristjan Sokoli and Jai Nokes

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DC Defenders draft pick Kristjan Sokoli, a former defensive lineman for the University of Buffalo Bulls, and sixth round draft pick for the Seattle Seahawks, had a three-year NFL season that was cut short by an untimely injury. We talk to Kristjan about his time in college, his NFL career, and the fact that he is coming to the XFL because he has something to prove. Then we talk with XFLBoard.com Dallas Renegades team reporter Jai Nokes. He will tell us why he has decided to follow the XFL, the chances of the Dallas Renegades under Coach Bob Stoops, a budding rivalry with the Houston Roughnecks, and why the city of Dallas will embrace the Renegades.

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XFL Xtra Episode 8-2019 – Two Anthonys – Anthony Johnson and Anthony Miller

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In this podcast we introduce two guests, Seattle Dragons draft pick Anthony Johnson and XFLBoard.com Dallas Renegades team reporter Anthony Miller. Anthony Johnson, a stellar Defensive Lineman for the Florida International University Panthers, completed his senior year in 2018. Last summer he attended an XFL summer showcase, which led to him being invited to the XFL draft, and eventually being picked by the Seattle Dragons. We talk to Anthony about his football career, his future with the XFL, and his desire to help at risk kids in the community. Then we talk to Anthony Miller. He provides insight into the XFL schedule, the draft, and what to expect in the upcoming XFL season.

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XFL Xtra Episode 7-2019 – 568 Players – Andre Williams and Mike Mitchell

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The XFL draft has now taken place. The draft was followed closely by both players and fans, and was an exciting time for the league, where a total of 568 players were assigned to XFL rosters. The two guest in this podcast are Andre Williams, a former Boston College, New York Giants and San Diego Chargers running back, who was recently drafted by the Houston Roughnecks in the “skill players” round of the XFL draft. We talk to Andre about his football career, his future with the Roughnecks, and his unique philosophy of life. We also talk to Mike Mitchell,the XFLBoard.com New York Guardians team reporter. Mike helps us analyze the draft, the draft format, the quarterback allocations, and something he refers to as the “case of the disappearing tiers.”

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The XFL Draft is here! – October 15-16

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The XFL draft will be run via a teleconference call connecting all eight XFL franchises. Results will be posted on XFL.com, @xfl2020 on Twitter, @xfl on Instagram, and through the social media channels of the eight XFL teams.

Starting at 10 AM Eastern, each of the eight XFL teams will first be assigned a quarterback.

Then the draft will begin with selections of players from a list, currently comprised of 975 previously announced players. In each phase of the draft, teams will only be allowed to select players according to their position.

  • Skill Player: (Tue 15 Oct) (10 rounds) – Quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers and tight ends.
  • Offensive Line: (Tue 15 Oct) (10 rounds) – Tackles, guards and centers.
  • Defensive Front Seven: (Tue 15 Oct) (10 rounds) – Defensive line and linebackers.
  • Defensive Backfield: (Wed 16 Oct) (10 rounds) – Cornerbacks and safeties.
  • Open Draft: (Wed 16 Oct) (30 rounds) – Punters, Kickers, Long Snappers, and all remaining players.

The pick order will vary for each phase of the draft:

Phase  Pick Order
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Skill Phase DC HOU NY DAL TB STL SEA LA
OL Phase LA SEA STL TB DAL NYC HOU DC
D7 Phase TB STL SEA LA DC HOU NY DAL
DB Phase DAL NY HOU DC LA SEA STL TB
Open Phase STL NY SEA LA TB HOU DC DAL
Teams will have 90 seconds to make a selection. The league will use a “snake” format, which means the selection order reverses in each round. The draft will continue until each squad fills a 71-player roster.

How to follow the XFL draft?

As pointed out above, as-they-happen picks will be posted on XFL.com, @xfl2020 on Twitter, @xfl on Instagram, and through the social media channels of the eight XFL teams. There will also be live studio updates in ESPN SportsCenter throughout the day.

Look to XFLBoard.com for draft day discussion, breaking draft news, and updates of the draft list and team rosters via our XFL DRAFT TRACKER . You will be able to see updated rosters as each XFL team builds their squad.