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This Is The XFL Podcast | Ep. 31: The Last of the Showcases

This is The XFL Podcast — Thu, 25 Jul 2019 14:07:58 +0000

This week we’re talking the last two Summer Showcases. First we look at some of the standouts that attended the event in Tampa, then we move to look at some of the folks that worked out in St. Louis.

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XFL St. Louis adds two additional coaches

Stephan Rachuk — Fri, 19 Jul 2019 18:00:49 +0000

This past weekend the XFL held it’s final Summer Showcase event in St. Louis and thanks to @wfreeman87 we’re learning some new hires for XFL St. Louis. He was in attendance at the Showcase last weekend and has let us know that the franchise has two new additions. Grant Williams has joined on as Offensive Line Assistant and Chris Crocker will serve as Defensive Assistant.

Grant Williams played 9 seasons in the NFL as Offensive Tackle. He played for The Seahawks, The Rams and was a member of the Super Bowl-winning New England Patriots in 2002.

Crocker was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the third round of the 2003 NFL Draft. He also played for the Atlanta Falcons, Miami Dolphins, Cincinnati Bengals, and Minnesota Vikings. Most recently Crocker worked with the Atlanta Legends of the now-defunct Alliance of American Football.

Stay up to date with all the latest hires with the XFL2K Staff Tracker.

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Rosters revealed for XFL St. Louis Summer Showcase

Stephan Rachuk — Sat, 13 Jul 2019 15:00:20 +0000

The day has come, the Summer Showcase is making it’s final stop in St. Louis. The Showcase kicked off in Dallas, then moved to Houston, New York, DC, Los Angeles, Seattle with the most recent event in Tampa.

Similar to the XFL Tampa Bay Showcase, the XFL St. Louis Summer Showcase will also host nearly 150 attendees. Thanks to @wfreeman87 we’ve been able to obtain a full roster for today’s event.

Offense

Dontez Byrd – WR – Tennessee Tech
Armanti Foreman – WR – Texas
Antwan Goodley – WR – Baylor
Samajie Grant – WR – Arizona
Deion Hollimon – WR – Missouri State
Alton Howard – WR – Tennessee
Jamal Jones – WR – Montana
Keevan Lucas – WR – Illinois
KJ Maye – WR – Minnesota
Flynn Nagel – WR – Northwestern
Tyler Palka – WR – Gannon
Gio Pascascio – WR – Louisville
Avery Patterson – WR – Oregon
Darius Prince – WR – Penn State
Kayuane Ross – WR – Kentucky
Victor Souza – WR – International
KaVontae Turpin – WR – TCU
L’Damian Washington – WR – Missouri
Dan Williams – WR – Jackson State
Scott Daly – LS – Notre Dame
AJ Hantak – LS – Eastern Illinois
Seth Hebert – LS – Central Missouri
David Cobb – RB – Minnesota
Berkley Edwards – RB – Michigan
Jonas Gray – RB – Notre Dame
Akeem Hunt – RB – Purdue
Kendial Lawrence – RB – Missouri
Juwan Lewis – RB – Ferris State
Rajion Neal – RB – Tennessee
Lawrence Pittman – RB – Wingate
Trent Richardson – RB – Alabama
Marcus Thigpen – RB – Indiana
Lenard Tillery – RB – Southern
Darius Victor – RB – Towson
Mike Warren – RB – Iowa State
Matt Tueja – FB – Massachusetts
Austin Allen – QB – Arkansas
Connor Cook – QB – Michigan State
Garrett Fugate – QB – Central Missouri
Zach Mettenberger – QB – LSU
Luis Perez – QB – Texas A&M-Commerce
Brogan Roback – QB – Eastern Michgan
Seth Suida – QB – Concordia
EJ Bibbs – TE – Iowa State
Brandon Cottom – TE – Purdue
Clay Harbor – TE – Missouri State
Ben Johnson – TE – Kansas
Carter Kirk – TE – SW Minnesota State
Cordon Moog – TE – Baylor
Sethly Reden – TE – Texas A&M-Kingsville
Ryan Smith – TE – Miami (OH)
Nic Weishar – TE – Notre Dame
Clayton Wilson – TE – NW Missouri State
Jacob Judd – OC – Western Illinois
Oni Omoile – OC – Iowa State
Michael Baird – OG – Wisconsin-Platteville
Grant Branch – OG – Eastern Illinois
Shakir Carr – OG – Central Michigan
Kijana Evans – OG – West Georgia
Brian Folkerts – OG – Washburn
Bob Marco – OG – Washburn
Michael Miller – OG – Washburn
Nick Tomkins – OG – Dartmouth
Tayo Fabuluje – OT – TCU
Tyler Howell – OT – Missouri
Ty McCulley – OT – Colorado State-Pueblo
Andrew McDonald – OT – Indiana
Naty Rogers – OT – Houston

Defense

Malik Boyton – CB – Austin Peay
Elijah Campbell – CB – Nothern Iowa
Brandin Dandridge – CB – Western Kentucky
Tre Dickerson – CB – Emporia State
Heath Harding – CB – Miami (OH)
Bryce Jones – CB – Akron
Najee Murray – CB – Kent State
Kendall Sanders – CB – Arkansas State
Oscar White – CB – Dubuque
Stephan Johnson – SAF – Texas State
Ermon Lane – SAF – Florida State
Josh Liddell – SAF – Arkansas
Dexter McCoil – SAF – Toledo
Danzel McDanial – SAF – Kansas State
Tray Mitchell – SAF – Eastern Illinois
Jacob Onyechi – SAF – Air Force
Stephen Roberts – SAF – Auburn
Damarius Travis – SAF – Minnesota
Kieron Williams – SAF – Nebraska
Aaron Williams – SAF – Nebraska
Dominic Barry – LB – Western New Mexico
Darrian Bass – LB – Missouri Western
Eric Beisel – LB – Missouri
Brandon Bell – LB – Penn State
Terrance Bullitt – LB – Texas Tech
Dajuan Drennon – LB – North Carolina
Khassem Greene – LB – Rutgers
Jordon Harold – LB – Missouri
Jesse Hayes – LB – Wisconsin
Andrew Jackson – LB – Western Kentucky
Steven Johnson – LB – Kansas
Josh Kaddu – LB – Oregon
Brandon Lee – LB – Missouri
Curt Maggit – LB – Tennessee
Stansly Maponga – LB – TCU
Boomer Mays – LB – Northern Illinois
Nyles Morgan – LB – Notre Dame
Rob Myers – LB – Minnesota St-Mankato
Maximo Sanchez – LB – International
Ike Spearman – LB – Eastern Michigan
Shaan Washington – LB – Texas A&M
Justice Bishop – DE – Union College
Dee Liner – DE – Arkansas
Jamal Marcus – DE – Akron
Dame Ndiaye – DE – Portland State
Sydney Omameh – DE – Grand Valley State
Taylor Reed – DE – SMU
Michael Richards – DE – Kansas
John Sheehy – DE – West Texas A&M
Jacquies Smith – DE – Missouri
Anthony Winbush – DE – Ball State
Josh Augusta – DT – Missouri
TJ Barnes – DT – Georgia Tech
Walter Brady – DT – Akron
Latarius Brady – DT – Memphis
BJ Dubose – DT – Louisvulle
Jeremy Faulk – DT – Garden City CC
Youhanna Ghaifan – DT – Wyoming
Tank Harris – DT – North Dakota
Bijhon Jackson – DT – Arkansas
Francis Kallon – DT – Georgia Tech
Duvonta Lampkin – DT – Oklahoma
Darius Latham – DT – Indiana
Teko Powell – DT – UAB
Waylon Roberson – DT – Arkansas State
Gelen Roberson – DT – Purdue
Kellen Soulek – DT – South Dakota State
Jordon Thompson – DT – Northwestern
Tyrell Thompson – DT – Tarleton State

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Trent Richardson and Connor Cook to attend Summer Showcase in St. Louis

Stephan Rachuk — Thu, 11 Jul 2019 16:41:19 +0000

The XFL Summer Showcase is coming to a conclusion this Saturday and the XFL has just named the first two attendees. Via Twitter the XFL have announced that Trent Richardson and Connor Cook will be at the Summer Showcase in St. Louis.

It's the final #XFLShowcase!@XFLStLouis is expecting a turnout of over 140 players Saturday, including Trent Richardson and @Connor_Cook03. pic.twitter.com/06aymrvGLC

— XFL (@xfl2020) July 11, 2019

Trent Richardson

Trent Richardson most recently played for the Birmingham Iron of the AAF. He played college for the University of Alabama. Richardson was recognized as an All-American, and was a member of two BCS National Championship teams. Considered the top running back prospect for the 2012 NFL Draft. Richardson was thought to be the best running back prospect since Adrian Peterson. He was selected third overall by the Cleveland Browns.

During the first game of the 2019 AAF season against the Memphis Express, Richardson carried for 58 yards in 23 carries, resulting in 2.5 yards per carry with two rushing touchdowns and one fumble. Richardson also recorded one catch, breaking several tackles for a 14 yard gain and a first down, as well as a two point conversion catch following his first touchdown. In later weeks, Richardson would be utilized more as a receiving back, in addition to rushing duties. Richardson caught his first touchdown in a week 6 victory against the San Diego Fleet, and has scored at least one rushing touchdown in each game through 8 weeks, including what would have been a playoff clinching game in week 8 against the Atlanta Legends. Richardson finished his time in the AAF’s short existence as arguably the most productive player with the most rushes per game, and had a league best 12 total touchdowns.

Connor Cook

Cook played college football for the Michigan State Spartans and was their starting quarterback from 2013 to 2015. He holds the record for most career wins at Michigan State. Cook was selected in the fourth round of the 2016 NFL Draft by the Oakland Raiders. After initially serving as the third-string backup to Derek Carr and Matt McGloin, Cook played in his first NFL game in the Raiders’ last regular season game of the 2016 NFL season after Carr and McGloin suffered injuries. Following this, he was named the starter for the Raiders’ playoff game against the Houston Texans. Due to this he became the first quarterback in NFL history to make his first career start in a playoff game.

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Win a chance to attend XFL Summer Showcase in St. Louis

Stephan Rachuk — Wed, 10 Jul 2019 19:06:02 +0000

We’re just a couple days out from the last XFL Summer Showcase event. This Saturday the Showcase stops in St. Louis at Lou Fusz Athletic Training Center. The XFL is giving you a chance to win a chance to attend with a guest of their choosing. All you need to do is retweet the following:

Want to attend our Summer Showcase?

RT this by 3 pm ET Thursday for a chance to attend the next #XFLShowcase as a fan, taking place this Saturday at Lou Fusz Athletic Training Center!

20 random winners will be selected to attend with a guest. #XFL2020 #Sweepstakes pic.twitter.com/f5OqAlFEDO

— XFL St Louis (@XFLStLouis) July 10, 2019

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Jon Hayes adds more key members to XFL St. Louis

Stephan Rachuk — Mon, 08 Jul 2019 19:28:22 +0000

Earlier today we broke the news that Ron Selesky would be joining XFL Tampa Bay as Football Operations Manager. Now, XFL St. Louis had made some announcements of their own.

Doug Meacham will be joining on as Offensive Coordinator, Charles Long as Offensive Assistant, Az-Zahir Hakim as WR Assist, Nicholas Siciliano as TE Assistant, Matt Raich as Co-Defensive Coordinator and Linebackers Coach and lastly Tim Lewis as Defensive Backs Coach.

Head coach Jon Hayes has made the following additions to his staff:

Offensive coordinator – Doug Meacham

Offensive asst. coach – Charles Long

WR asst. coach – Az-Zhir Hakim

TE asst. coach – Nicholas Siciliano

Co-DC/LB coach – Matt Raich

DB asst. coach – Tim Lewis pic.twitter.com/0pc03ZMTI9

— XFL St Louis (@XFLStLouis) July 8, 2019

Doug Meacham

Meacham played as offensive lineman for Oklahoma State University. He has also served as Offensive Coordinator for TCU and most recently served in the same role for the Kansas Jayhawks.

Az-Zahir Hakim

Hakim played college football at San Diego State. He was drafted by the St. Louis Rams in the fourth round (96th overall) of the 1998 NFL Draft. He also played for the Detroit Lions, New Orleans Saints, San Diego Chargers, Miami Dolphins, and Las Vegas Locomotives. He most recently served as the wide receivers coach of the San Diego Fleet of the Alliance of American Football in 2019.

During his NFL career, Hakim racked up 316 receptions, 4,191 receiving yards, 28 receiving touchdowns, 1,981 return yards totaling in 3 touchdowns.

Nicholas Siciliano

Siciliano was an offensive assistant for the Cincinnati Bengals in the NFL from 2012-13 and played a role in the Bengals making the NFL playoffs in 2013. There he was responsible for the scouting and breaking down opponents and also participated in game strategy for upcoming contests. Prior to his time in Cincinnati, Siciliano spent 2005-12 as a member of the Ohio State coaching staff.

Matt Raich

Raich has worked in the NFL for 16 years, spending time with the Detroit Lions, Arizona Cardinals and Pittsburgh Steelers and most recently the Cincinnatti Bengals as assistant defensive line coach/defensive assistant coach. Over his sixteen years of coaching his teams compiled a cumulative record of 137-118-1.

Tim Lewis

Lewis started his coaching career in 1987 at Texas A&M, Lewis served under his former college coach at Pittsburgh, Jackie Sherrill. He would later spend time at defensive coordinator for the Pittsburgh Steelers and the New York Giants. The 2013 season marked his third year as the secondary coach for the Atlanta Falcons. In 2015, Lewis became the defensive backs coach of the 49ers, but was let go once the season ended. He was named the head coach of the Birmingham Iron of the Alliance of American Football on June 6, 2018. With two games remaining in the 10-week inaugural AAF season, Lewis and the Iron clinched a playoff birth.

Stay up to date with all the latest hires with the XFL2k Staff Tracker.

The post Jon Hayes adds more key members to XFL St. Louis appeared first on XFL Newsroom.

Az-Zahir Hakim to join XFL St. Louis as WR Coach

Stephan Rachuk — Thu, 04 Jul 2019 04:00:14 +0000

We’re just a little over a week away from the XFL Summer Showcase in St. Louis, and we’re hearing a new addition to the team. According to Mike Mitchell of XFLBoard, former St. Louis Rams Wide Receiver, Az-Zahir Hakim, will be joining the franchise as Wide Receiver Coach.

Breaking: Former St. Louis Rams Wide Receiver and All Pro Return Specialist, Az-Zahir Hakim will be joining Jonathan Hayes @XFLStLouis staff. Hakim will be coaching the teams wide receivers. A position, he held earlier this year in the AAF, with The San Diego Fleet. #XFL2020 pic.twitter.com/0AlqcNlDTj

— Mike Mitchell (@MMXFLBoard) July 4, 2019

During his NFL career, Hakim racked up 316 receptions, 4,191 receiving yards, 28 receiving touchdowns, 1,981 return yards totaling in 3 touchdowns.

Stay up to date with all the latest hires with the XFL2k Staff Tracker.

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St. Louis Native Kurt Hunzeker Named President of City’s XFL Team

Stephan Rachuk — Wed, 26 Jun 2019 13:44:31 +0000

Stamford, Conn., June 26, 2019 – The XFL today announced that St. Louis native Kurt Hunzeker, most recently the Vice President of Marketing Strategy and Research for Minor League Baseball (MiLB), has been named President of the XFL football team in St. Louis.

The St. Louis XFL team will take the field in February 2020 for its inaugural season and play its home games at The Dome at America’s Center. Jonathan Hayes is the team’s head coach and general manager.

Hunzeker, a University of Missouri graduate, will be responsible for the team’s fan engagement and business operations, including ticket sales, corporate partnerships, marketing, content, communications, community relations, and the game day experience.

“Vince McMahon, Oliver Luck and I are fortunate to have an executive as accomplished as Kurt join the XFL family as President of our St. Louis team,” said Jeffrey Pollack, XFL President and Chief Operating Officer. “He is a dynamic sports business professional who will put his two decades of strategic leadership, creativity and operational experience to work as we reimagine the game and return professional football to St. Louis.”

“I’m thankful for this incredible opportunity to be part of the team that is bringing football back to town,” said Hunzeker. “The XFL team in St. Louis will be the first modern professional football team born in and exclusively for this great city. Each neighborhood is proud to be a unique subset of the greater St. Louis metropolitan area, and I’ve been blessed to live in quite a few. I pledge to work with Coach Hayes to make this team an integral part of this terrific, sports-loving community and look forward to bringing reimagined football and fan-centric fun to the Dome in 2020.”

In his position with MiLB, which he held since 2015, Hunzeker identified potential commercial partners and developed brand-building campaigns, fan engagement strategies and innovative strategic marketing plans for the organization and on behalf of 160 teams. During his tenure, he developed MiLB’s 10-year strategic marketing plan, including its first-ever national campaign, “It’s Fun to Be a Fan®”, and the Spanish-language version, “Es Divertido Ser Un Fan™”. He also managed the creation of Copa de la Diversión™ (the “Fun Cup”), a season-long event series celebrating the unique heritage and contributions of each team’s respective Hispanic communities that will include more than half of MiLB’s franchises by 2020.

Hunzeker joined MiLB after spending five years with St. Louis-based Rawlings Sporting Goods as Senior Director of Brand Marketing, where he directed the company’s global brand marketing and media buying efforts. He also spearheaded the integration of sabermetrics into the Rawlings Gold Glove Award selection process, its expansion into other professional leagues, and the creation of the Rawlings Platinum Glove Award national fan vote initiative.

Hunzeker was an adjunct professor at Maryville University’s John E. Simon School of Business in St. Louis (2014), and served as a member of the St. Louis University Sports Business Advisory Board (2011-2014).

He graduated from the University of Missouri School of Journalism in May 1999 with a Bachelor of Journalism. He currently resides in Tampa, but he and his family will soon return home to the St. Louis area.

ABOUT THE XFL
The XFL will reimagine football for the 21st century when it kicks off the weekend of February 8-9, 2020, committed to delivering a brisk, fast-paced game, with a fan-centric, innovative, and affordable gameday experience. The inaugural season will launch with teams in Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, St. Louis, Seattle, Tampa Bay, and Washington D.C. Each team will compete with a 45-man active roster over a 10-week regular season with a postseason consisting of two semifinal playoff games and a championship game. Every XFL game – every week – will be nationally televised and easy-to-find for fans coast-to-coast. Starting in February 2020, the XFL will air weekly on ABC and FOX, with games also on ESPN, ESPN2, FS1 and FS2. Vince McMahon, XFL Founder and Chairman, is personally funding the new league, and building the XFL with the same commitment and resolve that he has demonstrated building WWE into a global media and sports entertainment powerhouse. For more information, visit XFL.com and follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

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Kurt Hunzeker to be named President of XFL St. Louis

Stephan Rachuk — Tue, 25 Jun 2019 21:09:47 +0000

According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Kurt Hunzeker has been hired as Team President of the XFL St. Louis franchise. Hunzeker is making a move from baseball to football, he previously held the role of vice president of marketing strategy and research for Minor League Baseball. Additionally, he spent a half-decade as a senior director of brand marketing for St. Louis-based Rawlings.

You can stay up to date with all the latest hires with the XFL2k Staff Tracker.

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XFL St. Louis Head Coach’s son, Jaxson Hayes picked 8th overall in NBA Draft

Stephan Rachuk — Fri, 21 Jun 2019 00:40:28 +0000

XFL St. Louis Head Coach/General Manager Jon Hayes has something to celebrate. His son, Jaxson Hayes was just picked 8th overall in the first round of the NBA Draft by the Atlanta Hawks.

The XFL went so far as to congratulate him via the Official Twitter account of XFL St. Louis.

Congratulations to @hayes_jaxson and the entire Hayes family!! #NBADraft https://t.co/wRNfUs5dt4

— XFL St Louis (@XFLStLouis) June 21, 2019

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