Former HBCU Stars find a home with the XFL

HBCU stars have an opportunity to play professional football in the XFL

This weekend is the start of the XFL season, with games today and tomorrow. The revival of the XFL (the third iteration of the league) is already off to a tremendous start, with a thrilling finish to the first game of the 2023 season. The Arlington Renegades scored 17 points in the second half to defeat the Vegas Vipers 22-20.

If you watched today, you might have seen a couple of former HBCU players on the field. Virginia State defensive back Will Adams and Mississippi Valley State defensive lineman Bryant Jones played today for the Vipers. The Renegades punted a couple of times, and Fort Valley State alum and former NFL veteran Marquette King handled the punting for the Arlington Renegades. Here are some of the other HBCU players on XFL rosters:

1. Orlando Guardians: Jah-Maine Martin: North Carolina A&T, Deondre Francois: Hampton, Jordan Ighofose and David Moore: Grambling State, C.J. Holmes: Jackson State, Emmanuel Olenga: Tennessee State, James Spady: Florida A&M

2. San Antonio Brahmas: Terrell Bonds and Chidi Okeke: Tennessee State, Jawon Pass, Prarie View A&M

3. Houston Roughnecks: James Staley (reserve) Hampton, Bryeen Alleyne Delaware State, Justin Smith: Norfolk State

4. D.C. Defenders: Chris Blair: Alcorn State, Reggie Barlow (HC): Alabama State

5. Seattle Dragons: Zafir Kelly: South Carolina State, Qwynterrio Cole: Alcorn State