Ever since the XFL released players from their obligations, and allowed them to actively seek NFL opportunities, 44 players have been signed. Today, 2 more increased their chances of getting back into the NFL. Former Seattle Dragons WR Austin Proehl, and Dallas Renegades WR Jeff Badet had workouts with the Chicago Bears.
Badet started his college career at the University of Kentucky, but ended up transferring to Oklahoma to finish out his eligibility. ALthough going undrafted, he was signed by the Vikings, but was relegated to the practice squad.
After a tryout with the Packers didn’t work out, Badet declared for the XFL draft, where he was selected 4th in the skill positions by the Dallas Renegades. He would finish with 16 catches and 108 yards after the league suspended operations 5 games into the season.
Proehl went to North Carolina, and after his eligibility was up, he was drafted in the 7th round of the 2018 NFL draft by the Bills. Cut before the season, Proehl was picked up by the Rams, and stayed with them until final roster cuts in 2019.
From there, he would also declare for the XFL draft where he was selected by the Seattle Dragons. Through the 5 weeks that the league operated, Proehl had 16 catches for 225 yards, and has the distinction of scoring the first XFL2020 TD.
If his name sound familiar, Austin is the son of former NFL WR Ricky Proehl, who had a 16-year career with several teams.
Things have picked up recently for the former XFL players, as the Jets just signed former ST Louis BattleHawks TE Connor Davis, and the Dolphins signed former Houston Roughnecks CB Deatrick Nichols.
Other former XFL players that had workouts today were DC Defenders TE Donnie Ernsberger with the Saints. NY Guardians LB D’Juan Hines with the Packers, and Dallas Renegades OT Pace Murphy with the Cowboys.
As roster cuts continue, and more players suffer injuries, we may see more former XFL guys get NFL shots. Even though we’d like to see these guys play another year in the league, with the CFL canceling their season, and voiding the players’ contracts, expect an influx of guys heading south to join us in the spring.
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