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The return of the XFL in 2020 was exciting, offering high-level football to fans in the Spring, and offering players a potential pathway to the NFL. The COVID-19 pandemic unfortunately […]
The return of the XFL in 2020 was exciting, offering high-level football to fans in the Spring, and offering players a potential pathway to the NFL. The COVID-19 pandemic unfortunately suspended league operations right in the middle of a successful season for the league, and further postponed play past 2021 and 2022.
In 2023, the XFL will resume play under an ownership group led by none other than Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, succeeding Vince McMahon as the league’s signal-caller.
Speaking of signal-callers, the XFL’s eight teams began a three-day draft process on November 15, with the first day centered around the game’s most prominent position: the quarterback.
Tuesday’s process was more of an “announcement” of pre-determined results, rather than a live draft process. 15 quarterbacks were distributed across the league, with each franchise grabbing two quarterbacks with the exception of the D.C. Defenders. There will be more opportunities to add quarterbacks during and after this three-day draft process.
The last iteration of the XFL gave us P.J. Walker: a quarterback who put up electric numbers for the Houston Roughnecks and then went on to go as far as starting for the Carolina Panthers in the NFL. With a full season of XFL play in Spring 2023, could another stand-out passer graduate to the big leagues?
Here are the 15 quarterbacks announced on the XFL’s Quarterback Selection Show, sorted by team:
College: Ball State, Class of 2022
Pro Experience: None
Age: 24
Height: 6-2
Weight: 215
College: Northern Colorado (previously Southern Miss), Class of 2017
Pro Experience: Vast yet limited. After going undrafted in 2017, Sloter first caught on as an undrafted free agent with the Denver Broncos. Sloter spent 2017 to 2019 on the Minnesota Vikings practice squad, frequently lighting it up in the preseason but failing to crack the depth chart. Sloter bounced around five different practice squads from 2019 to 2021, including a second stint with the Vikings. Sloter found more playing time in the United States Football League (USFL) in 2022, being selected in the first round by the New Orleans Breakers and leading them to the semi-finals in the playoffs. Was last on the Jacksonville Jaguars practice squad earlier this season. Despite being signed to seven NFL franchises, Sloter has never thrown an NFL pass.
Age: 28
Height: 6-5
Weight: 218
College: Syracuse, Class of 2019
Pro Experience: Eric Dungey joined the New York Giants organization after going undrafted in 2019, getting reps at both quarterback and tight end before being released prior to the start of the preseason. Dungey spent October to December of the same year on the Cleveland Browns practice squad. Dungey was briefly a member of the Dallas Renegades in the XFL in 2020 after an injury to Landry Jones, but did not see the field before the league suspended its operations. Dungey signed with the Cincinnati Bengals in 2021, making it through training camp and the preseason before being cut prior to the regular season.
Age: 26
Height: 6-4
Weight: 228
Note: The D.C. Defenders selected just one quarterback
College: Western Michigan, Class of 2022
Pro Experience: 2022 Rookie Invite Camp with the Seattle Seahawks, nothing further
Age: 22
Height: 6-1
Weight: 210
College: Troy, Class of 2018
Pro Experience: New Orleans Saints Rookie Minicamp in 2018 after going undrafted. After that, joined Memphis Express after being drafted in the 2019 Alliance of American Football (AAF) draft. Silvers was third-string behind former NFL quarterbacks Christian Hackenberg and Zach Mettenberger. Later in the season, Silvers split starting reps with Johnny Manziel. In the last iteration of the XFL, Silvers was the starting quarterback for the Seattle Dragons. Silvers was “The Spring League’s” leading passer as a member of the Conquerors in 2021
Age: 28
Height: 6-2
Weight: 218
College: Hampton, Class of 2020 (Previously Florida State)
Pro Experience: Fan Controlled Football League in 2020 and 2022, The Spring League in 2021
Age: 25
Height: 6-1
Weight: 210
College: Central Michigan, Class of 2020 (previously Houston and Tennessee),
Pro Experience: Workout with Green Bay Packers in 2021
Age: 26
Height: 6-4
Weight: 219
College: Prairie View A&M Class of 2022 (formerly Louisville, as the immediate successor to Lamar Jackson)
Pro Experience: None, but what an incredible last name for a quarterback (but potentially a commentator’s nightmare?)
Age: 25
Height: 6-5
Weight: 230
College: Michigan State, Class of 2022 (formerly three seasons at Temple)
Pro Experience: None
Age: 23-26 (can’t find anywhere)
Height: 6-4
Weight: 230
College: James Madison, Class of 2020
Pro Experience: Drafted in the 7th round of the 2020 NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys. Made one start in 2020 on Sunday Night Football against the Philadelphia Eagles (a losing effort) after injuries to both Dak Prescott and Andy Dalton. Stayed around the Cowboys organization as a member of the practice squad and frequent “preseason favorite.” DiNucci is one of two of the 15 quarterbacks drafted to have started an NFL game.
Age: 26
Height: 6-2
Weight: 205
College: Colorado, Class of 2020
Pro Experience: After going undrafted in the 2020 NFL Draft, Montez quickly found a spot with Washington Football Team, spending most of the season on the practice squad but becoming active for three NFL game days. After being waived in August 2021, Montez signed with the Detroit Lions practice squad. Montez re-signed to Detroit’s practice squad as of December 22, 2022.
Age: 25
Height: 6-4
Weight: 240
College: Virginia Tech, Class of 2020 (previously Kansas)
Pro Experience: Signed with “The Linemen” of the Spring League: earning league MVP honors and leading his team to the league championship. Signed with the Chicago Bears practice squad, spending one game on the active roster on Christmas Day, backing up Nick Foles. Released by Chicago in May 2022.
Age: 26
Height: 6-4
Weight: 221
College: Alabama, Class of 2014
Pro Experience: After winning back-to-back National Championships with Alabama in 2012 and 2013, McCarron was selected in the 5th round of the 2014 NFL Draft by the Cincinnati Bengals to back up Andy Dalton. McCarron appeared in 11 games over four seasons, starting three of them, and throwing six touchdowns against two interceptions. After a brief offseason stint with the Buffalo Bills, McCarron was traded t the Oakland Raiders for a fifth-round pick in 2019. McCarron’s final two NFL seasons were with the Houston Texans, where he started one game. McCarron signed with the Atlanta Falcons in 2021, but tore his ACL in a preseason game. McCarron has the most NFL experience of the 15 quarterbacks drafted.
Age: 32
Height: 6-3
Weight: 220
College: Baylor, Class of 2019 (formerly NC State)
Pro Experience: Spent time with the Baltimore Ravens and Washington Redskins (yes, believe it or not the team was still named the Redskins in 2019 despite two name changes since then in what feels like a longer time) after going undrafted. Failed to crack a regular season roster. In the 2020 version of the XFL, McClendon backed up Josh Johnson on the Los Angeles Wildcats.
Age: 27
Height: 6-5
Weight: 220
College: Texas A&M-Commerce, Class of 2018
Pro Experience: Perez has bounced around the professional ranks since going undrafted in 2018. He had stints with the Los Angeles Rams, Philadelphia Eagles, and Detroit Lions in non-regular season roles. Perez also spent time in the AAF, XFL, USFL, and The Spring League, appearing for the Birmingham Iron, New York Guardians, TSL Jousters, New Jersey Generals, and now, the Vegas Vipers. If nothing else, Perez has experience playing as a professional at this level.
Age: 28
Height: 6-2
Weight: 220
Header Photo Credits: Yahoo
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