Several more former XFL players are finding new homes to further their careers. The Canadian Football League has even started to dip into the free-agent pool.
OL Avery Gennessy- Tennessee Titans
Gennessy has signed a one year deal with the Tennessee Titans after playing for the XFL’s Houston Roughnecks. He played college football at East Mississippi Community College before transferring to Texas A&M. His NFL experience includes stints at Jacksonville, Cleveland, and Denver. Gennessy was part of the AAF with the Atlanta Legends.
K Sergio Castillo- CFL BC Lions
Sergio was signed to the Atlanta Falcons as a UDFA in 2014. He also played in the CFL with Winnipeg, Ottawa as a punter, and Hamilton. He signed with the AAF’s San Antonio Commanders but did not play. With the Houston Roughnecks, he went 5/5 on FGs. He’s recently signed a two-year deal with the CFL’s BC Lions
WR Armanti Edwards- CFL Edmonton Eskimos
Edwards was selected in the 2010 NFL Draft in the third round to Carolina. He played college football at Appalachian State. His NFL’s experience includes the Browns and Bears while also playing in the CFL with Saskatchewan and Toronto (helped win the 105th Grey Cup with Toronto). With the XFL, he started on Team 9 and was later signed to the Dallas Renegades. Edwards recently signed on to the Edmonton Eskimos.
CB Josh Hawkins- Atlanta Falcons
A UDFA in 2016, Hawkins has played for Green Bay, Carolina, Kansas City, and Philadelphia. As a Dallas Renegade, he had 11 combined tackles, 2 INTs, and 4 PDs. Hawkins is now with the Atlanta Falcons.
S/LB Joe Powell- CFL Hamilton Tiger-Cats
Powell went to college at Globe Tech and later signed to play in the PIFL with the Lehigh Valley Steelhawks. He was named the DROY with 52.5 tackles and 11 INTs. His career was a mix of arena football, indoor football leagues, and the NFL. Powell played in the AAF with Birmingham and played for St. Louis in the XFL. He scored the 1st special teams TD for the 2020 XFL season. The Hamilton Tiger-Cats recently signed him.
LB Matt Thomas- CFL Saskatchewan Roughriders
Thomas was signed by the Pittsburgh Steelers as a UDFA in 2018. He played for the Ravens as well before being signed by the St. Louis Battlehawks. He was part of the final roster cuts but is now playing in the CFL with the Roughriders.
OL Kahlil McKenzie- Seattle Seahawks
The Kansas City Chiefs selected McKenzie in the sixth round in 2018. He also played for the Seahawks before going to the XFL. Originally signed by the DC Defenders, he was traded to the LA Wildcats but was placed on IR. He is on his second stint now with the Seahawks.
WR Dontez Byrd- CFL Hamilton Tiger-Cats
Byrd was a walk-on starter at Louisville before transferring to Tennessee Tech his senior year. In 2018, he was a UDFA signed by the Falcons. He was cut and later played in the AAF with Memphis. As a Seattle Dragon in the XFL, he had five catches for 44 yards. Byrd was signed by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats recently.
DB Damon Webb- CFL Saskatchewan Roughriders
Webb played for Ohio State with Cardale Jones. He was a UDFA who played with the Tennessee Titans before joining Cardale in the XFL. Webb was on the Team 9 practice roster when the league shut down but is now in the CFL.
Previous Signings:
C John Keenoy-Pittsburgh Steelers
Keenoy played for the Dallas Renegades and still just 23 years old. The Steelers get much-needed younger depth on their line. He was with Minnesota’s training camp in 2019 and is a former product from Western Michigan.
DB Arrion Springs- Pittsburgh Steelers
Arrion Springs was drafted by the Tampa Bay Vipers but was later traded to the LA Wildcats. The former Oregon Duck had 16 combined tackles with an interception and two defended passes in his time in the XFL. He’s had experience with Kansas City, Cleveland, New Orleans, Oakland, and Chargers
T Anthony Coyle- Pittsburgh Steelers
That’s right, the Steelers have now signed nine players from the XFL. Coyle played for the NY Guardians and has previous NFL experience with Houston, Atlanta, and Green Bay. He was a UDFA from Fordham.
RB Jacques Patrick- Cincinnati Bengals
Patrick played for the Tampa Bay Vipers and had 60 carries for 254 yards and two touchdowns. He played at Florida State alongside one Dalvin Cook.
WR Saeed Blacknall- Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers continue to find depth from the XFL, signing their sixth player with Blacknall. A former Penn State product, he went undrafted in 2018 with having deep speed but little production to show from it. He floated around the NFL with the Raiders, Dolphins, and Cardinals. In three games with the LA Wildcats, he had 4 catches for 120 yards and 2 TDs.
CB Saivion Smith- Dallas Cowboys
Smith doesn’t have to move far to his new team. Formerly with the undefeated Houston Roughnecks, Saivion Smith signed with the Dallas Cowboys. In the two games he was active, he had 8 combined tackles and one pass deflected. A former 5-star recruit, Smith committed to LSU but eventually changed to a junior college before playing with Alabama for one season in 2018. He had 3 INTs and 5 passes deflected that year before leaving early for the draft. He went undrafted and signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars but was cut before the start of the season.
K Austin MacGinnis- LA Rams
The LA Rams and kicker Austin MacGinnis have agreed to terms for a deal. Formerly with the Dallas Renegades, MacGinnis was one of two kickers in the XFL with a perfect field goal rate (10/10). He also played for the AAF with the Memphis Express, going 9 for 11 on FGs. In college at Kentucky, he holds the single-season record for made FGs (72).
DL Dewayne Hendrix
The former Pittsburgh Panther standout has left the St. Louis Battlehawks and has signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers. In college, he racked up 50 total tackles, 7.5 sacks, a forced fumble and two fumble recoveries over two years. He would have stints in the NFL with Miami and Jacksonville. In the five games he played in the XFL, he had 4 combined tackles and one sack.
LS Christian Kuntz
Kuntz was a three-time All-American at Duquesne as a linebacker and long snapper. He has previous NFL experience with New England, Denver, Jacksonville, and Pittsburgh. The Steelers have signed him off of the Dallas Renegades roster to bring him back after cutting him during their 2019 training camp.
LB Edmond Robinson Jr
Robinson, formerly with the Houston Roughnecks, signed with the Atlanta Falcons. He was a former D-ll player from Newberry who was drafted in the seventh round in 2015 by Minnesota. He’s also played for the Jets, Cardinals, and the AAF. With Houston, he had 22 combined tackles, 2 sacks, an INT, forced fumble, and recovered a fumble.
QB PJ Walker
Walker was likely the best QB in the XFL. He led the only undefeated team with the Houston Roughnecks. Walker was also the league leader in passing yards (1,338) and passing touchdowns (15) through five games. The Carolina Panthers signed the first XFL player with Walker, who reunites with his old college coach at Temple: Matt Rhule. He will compete with Will Grier to backup Teddy Bridgewater.
QB Jordan Ta’amu
Ta’amu was signed undrafted to the Houston Texans. He didn’t make the cut but became the starter for the St. Louis Battlehawks. He didn’t toss up stellar numbers as a passer (1,050 yards with 5 TDs and 2 INTs). However, he was able to extend plays and get some production with his legs (217 yards and 1 TD). Jordan will compete with Chad Henne to backup Patrick Mahomes on the Kansas City Chiefs.
TE Donald Parham
Parham is massive, standing six foot eight inches and 247 pounds. Yet, he was also one of the best receivers in the XFL. He was 4th in receptions (24), 3rd in receiving yards (307), 4th in YAC, and 2nd in TDs (4). The LA Chargers signed him to a two-year deal and could have a shot at starting over Hunter Henry.
DB Dravon Askew-Henry
Askew-Henry racked up 11 combined tackles and six pass deflections while with the NY Guardians. The cousin of former NFL CB Darelle Revis won’t have to stray far since the NY Giants gave him a two-year deal.
CB Deatrick Nichols
Nichols was the XFL leader in interceptions (3) while with the Houston Roughnecks. The New Orleans Saints signed the former Houston point player to a one-year contract.
LB DeMarquis Gates
Gates is a former XFL and AAF linebacker. With the Roughnecks, he had 32 combined tackles (3 for loss), 3 pass deflections, 2 sacks, an INT, and a forced fumble. The Minnesota Vikings signed him and Gates could find a rotational spot on a gutted defense.
TE Khari Lee
Lee played for the DC Defenders but also has 4 years of previous NFL experience. He played for the Bears, Lions, and Bills before going to the XFL. The Atlanta Falcons signed him for depth.
DL Cavon Walker
The former NY Guardian led the league in sacks (4.5). The Pittsburgh Steelers signed him to a one-year deal and he can compete for the starting NT position. He could also be the backup for Cam Heyward and Stephon Tuitt.
OL Jarron Jones
Jones started his career as an undrafted DL for the NY Giants. He eventually switched to OL and played for the Seahawks, Lions, and Bills. The Steelers picked him up from the NY Guardians in hopes to strengthen their o-line in the run game.
S Tyree Kinnel
The Steelers picked up another XFL star with former DC Defender Tyree Kinnel. He had 17 combined tackles and gets a one-year deal.
LS Nick Moore
The Baltimore Ravens signed former Tampa Bay Viper LS Nick Moore. He was a UDFA signed by the Saints in 2019.
