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XFL Draft Notable Players Invited To NFL Camps

Author

Emma Newman

Updated on January 04, 2026

XFL draft notable players are Freedom Akinmoladun and Austin Proehl. XFL players invited to NFL are tight end Cam Sutton and wide receiver Hakeem Butler.

The WWF and NBC started a joint venture called XFL in 1999. Its inaugural season in 2001 had 8 teams. Four teams from the Eastern and Western Divisions competed for the Championship title.

The Los Angeles Xtreme won the season. Many athletes from the league were approached by NFL franchises and got a chance to feature in the big leagues.

This occurred in 2020 when Vince McMahon declared bankruptcy after cancelling its second season, reports The New York Times.

It came to life in 2022, and a new season began with the draft. Many notable footballers from the country were taken by eight new franchises.

Similar to past events, many NFL franchises have called out sportspersons from XFL in 2023.

XFL Players Invited To NFL

XFL players invited to NFL camps reached 46. Six more invitations were sent to XFL sportspersons on 10th May 2023.

Last time around, in the early 2000s, after the first season of the XFL, numerous athletes featured in the biggest league. Some even went to have Super Bowl Rings.

In 2023, the XFL resumed its second season. It turned several heads, and many performers were called for tryouts. A total of 21 NFL franchises sent such summonings.

A complete list of all the names, along with the camps that sent the proposition, is given below:

Denver Broncos

  • Ben DiNucci – QB
  • Jacques Patrick – RB
  • Trent Harris – LB

Seattle Seahawks

  • Jack Coan – QB
  • Alex Mollette – OL
  • Austin Faoliu – DL

New Orleans Saints

  • Harrison Frost – QB
  • Sage Doxtater – OL
  • Collin Kelly – OL
  • Jack Helfin – DL

San Francisco 49ers

  • Steven Montez – QB

Buffalo Bills

  • Quinten Dormady – QB
  • Eric Magwood – OL
  • Antoine Brooks – DB
  • Nate Meadows – DB

New York Jets

  • Mataeo Durant – RB
  • Jack Coan – QB

Washington Commanders

  • Devin Darrington – RB
  • Lakiem Williams – LB

Pittsburgh Steelers

  • Hakeem Butler – WR
  • Chidi Okeke – OL

Philadelphia Eagles

  • Charleston Rambo – WR
  • Austin Proehl – WR

Detroit Lions

  • John Parker Romo – K
  • Darrius Shephard – WR

Indianapolis Colts

  • Jahcour Pearson – WR

Atlanta Falcons

  • Jachour Pearson – WR
  • Cam Sutton – TE
  • Barry Wesley – OL
  • Michal Menet – OL
  • Kevin Atkins – DL
  • Matt Gotel – DL
  • Lukas Denis – DB

New York Giants

  • Jontre Kirklin – WR

Carolina Panthers

  • Austin Proehl – WR
  • Jordan Thomas – TE
  • Dohnovan West – OL
  • Derrick Kelly – OL

Miami Dolphins

  • Jack Snyder – OL
  • Freedom Akinmoladum – DL
  • Mike Rose – LB
  • Bryce Thompson – DB

Baltimore Ravens

  • Jack Snyder – OL
  • Alex Matheson – LS

Kansas City Chiefs

  • Freedom Akinmoldum – OL

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

  • CJ Brewer – DL

Cleveland Browns

  • Pita Taumoepanu – DL
  • Deandre Johnson – LB
  • Luq Barcoo – DB

Jacksonville Jaguars

  • Elorm Lumor – DL

Tennessee Titans

  • Olaijah Griffin – DB

XFL Players Drafted To NFL

XFL players signed to NFL are Tommy Maddox, PJ Walker, Taylor Heinicke, Steven Gleason, and many more. 39 individuals from XFL were on the NFL roster in 2020.

After the 2001 season, Tommy Maddox became the first known name to enter the NFL from XFL. The performer hails from Shreveport, Louisiana.

The Quarterback did well with the UCLA Bruins and was 25th overall by the Denver Broncos in the 1992 NFL Draft. He later played for Los Angeles (1994), New York Giants (1995-96), and Atlanta Falcons (1997-2000).

In 2000, he played in AFL for New Jersey Red Dogs. Then only in 2001, he joined XFL with Los Angeles Xtreme. That year he threw 2,186 yards and recorded 18 touchdowns, earning him XFL MVP.

The sportsperson reached an agreement with Pittsburg Steelers in 2001. He stayed with the Steelers till 2005. He started 32 games for them and won the Super Bowl XL.

XFL Players and NFL Teams

Here are some notable performers, along with the teams they were a part of in the NFL:

PJ WalkerCarolina Panthers
Taylor HeinickeWashington Commanders, Atlanta Falcons
Steve GleasonIndianapolis Colts, New Orleans Saints
Rod SmartPhiladelphia Eagles, Carolina Panthers, Oakland Raiders
Mike FurreyIndianapolis Colts
Josh JohnsonSan Francisco 49ers, New York Jets, Baltimore Ravens, Denver Broncos
Jeff BadetWashington Football Team, Atlanta Falcons, Las Vegas Raiders
Nick MooreBaltimore Ravens
Kenny Robinson Jr.Carolina Panthers, Pittsburgh Steelers
Connor DavisNew York Jets, Cleveland Browns
Scott DalyDetroit Lions
Tyree JacksonPhiladelphia Eagles

Best XFL Players 2023

XFL top players 2023 comprise Abram Smith, Lucky Jackson, A. J. McCarron, Drew Beesley, Luq Barcoo, Darrius Shepherd, Colin Kelly, and others.

These are the best performers from each position who performed brilliantly in 2023.

Quarterback – A. J. McCarron

A. J. McCarron is an ex-NFL player. He was chosen by Cincinnati Bengals in the 2014 Draft as a round 5 pick.

He stayed there till 2017. He then was affiliated with Buffalo Bills (2018), Oakland Raiders (2018), Houston Texans (2019-20), and Atlanta Falcons (2021).

St. Louis BattleHawks acquired the QB in Phase 0. He was an integral member as he made 10 touchdowns and completed 2,150 passing yards. On top of that, six interceptions and one rushing touchdown added brightness to his talent.

Running Back – Abram Smith

Abram Smith was picked by DC Defenders in the 2023 Draft as the no. 1 overall in Phase 1. Before that, he contracted with New Orleans Saints in 2022 as UDFA.

The Texas-born RB came big for the Defenders, recording 7 touchdowns and 788 rushing yards. The Defenders will take on Arlington Renegades in the XFL Championship Game on 13th May.

Wide Receiver – Hakeem Butler

Hakeem Butler is the #88 for St. Louis BattleHawks. He was the 33rd pick in the 2023 Draft.

Before the BattleHawks, he was a member of the Arizona Cardinals (2019), Carolina Panther (2020), Philadelphia Eagles (2020), BC Lions (2022), and Edmonton Elks (2022).

This season he completed 70% of receptions and recorded 8 touchdowns.

Tight End – Cody Latimer

Cody Latimer was with Denver Broncos from 2014 to 2017. He was also in New York Giants (2018-19) and Washington Football Team (2020).

He was chosen as a WR by Orlando Guardians. But he played as a TE and made 50 receptions, four touchdowns, and averaged 11.9 yards per reception.

Offensive Line – Jaryd Jones-Smith

Jaryd Jones-Smith is the impressive #75 for St. Louis BattleHawks. They got him on no. 7 in Phase 4 of the 2023 Draft.

Before that, he played in NFL alongside Houston Texans (2018), Miami Dolphins (2019), San Francisco 49ers (2019-20), Las Vegas Raiders (2020), and Baltimore Ravens (2021).

Defensive Line – Davin Bellamy

Davin Bellamy sports #17 for DC Defenders. He is a former NFL sportsperson.

He joined Houston Texans in 2028. Likewise, he was with Cincinnati Bengals (2019), Houston Texans (2019-20), Tennessee Titans (2021), San Francisco 49ers (2021) and Los Angeles Chargers (2021).

His record is 9 solo tackles, 11 tackle assists, and 5.5 sacks.

Linebacker – Trent Harris

Trent Harris is hailed as one of the best LBs in the league. He was in the practice squad of the Las Vegas Raiders in 2022.

Likewise, he was affiliated with New England Patriots (2018), Miami Dolphins (2019), New York Giants (2020-21), and Baltimore Ravens (2022).

For Houston Roughnecks, he made 30 total tackles and 9.5 sacks.

Defensive Back – Luq Barcoo

Luq Barcoo was taken by Jacksonville Jaguars in 2020. He joined Arizona Cardinals in 2021.

Likewise, the performer also spent time with the San Francisco 49ers (2021), Kansas City Chiefs (2022), and New York Jets (2022).

He has 21 solo tackles and 31 total tackles this year.

Highest Paid Players

XFL top paid players are Brett Hundley from Vegas Vipers and Jordan Tammu from DC Defenders. Hundley earns $200,000.

The Quarterback for the Vipers is the league’s highest earner, according to The Sun.

The pay structure is different from the NFL. Each footballer makes $5,000 per week. There exists a benefits package worth $20,000. The league takes care of the food and housing of the sportspersons, reports Marca.

Likewise, footballers receive a win bonus worth $1,000. The training camp, which lasted five weeks, helped them bag $4,000.

Other names who made big bucks in the 2023 season are:

  • Jordan Tammu – $163,200
  • Kyle Sloter -$151,765
  • A. J. McCarron – $137,500
  • Paxton Lynch – $125K
  • Ben DeNucci – $95K
  • Jack Coan – $80K
  • Brendon Silvers – $60K