2023 All-XFL Team: Get to Know the Players

The XFL has released the 2023 All-XFL Team for the season. Among each team, it is the DC Defenders that are the most represented, with seven players. All eight teams in the league did have at least one player represented. Here is a look at the 2023 All-XFL Team and some information as to why each player was deserving of the spot.

2023 All-XFL Team

The following positions had at least one tie: Wide Receiver, Offensive Line, Defensive Line, and Defensive Back. The players tied all made the 2023 All-XFL Team.

Quarterback: Jordan Ta’amu, DC Defenders

Jordan Ta’amu won the XFL’s offensive player of the Year, so it is no surprise that he made the 2023 All-XFL Team. Throughout the regular season, Ta’amu had 143 completions out of 229 attempts for 1,894 yards, according to the XFL. He threw 14 touchdowns and just three interceptions. Ta’amu won the starting quarterback position for the Defenders despite a rocky start but led the team to a 9-1 record.

Running Back: Abram Smith, DC Defenders

Abram Smith led the XFL in rushing yards in 2023. Throughout the regular season, Smith rushed the ball 158 times for 791 yards, according to the XFL. He also scored seven rushing touchdowns. Smith was one of the more anticipated players during the start of the league, and he has since demonstrated why.

Wide Receiver: Deontay Burnett, Houston Roughnecks; Hakeem Butler, St. Louis Battlehawks; Lucky Jackson, DC Defenders; Jahcour Pearson, Seattle Sea Dragons

This was one of the positions that did receive voting ties, though the XFL has not yet released which players it was that tied. Each of the teams that are represented had a strong passing game, and a lot was thanks to these receivers. While others definitely should have been considered, it is understandable why these four received votes for the 2023 All-XFL Team.

According to the XFL, Deontay Burnett totaled 378 receiving yards and six touchdowns. Hakeem Butler totaled 599 receiving yards and eight touchdowns. Lucky Jackson totaled 573 receiving yards and five touchdowns. Finally, Jahcour Pearson totaled 670 receiving and four touchdowns.

Tight End: Cody Latimer, Orlando Guardians

Tight end Cody Latimer was a top aspect of the Orlando Guardians despite a disappointing season. According to the XFL, Latimer had 50 receptions for 593 yards and four touchdowns. He was well deserving to make the All-XFL team this year.

Offensive Line: G Liam Fornadel, DC Defenders; G Steven Gonzalez, St. Louis Battlehawks; OT Jaryd Jones-Smith, St. Louis Battlehawks; OT Colin Kelly, Seattle Sea Dragons, C Alex Mollette, Houston Roughnecks; C Mike Panasiuk, St. Louis Battlehawks

The offensive linemen were one of the positions to receive a tie in voting, though it is not stated who received ties. The teams represented are the DC Defenders, St. Louis Battlehawks, Seattle Sea Dragond, and the Houston Roughnecks. These teams were among the top teams in the regular season and would not have gotten there without these players. The offensive linemen are some of the most important players, and these six players earned a spot on the 2023 All-XFL Team.

Defensive Line: Drew Beesley, San Antonio Brahmas; Davin Bellamy, DC Defenders; Austin Faoliu, Seattle Sea Dragons; Jack Heflin, Houston Roughnecks; Davonte Lambert, Arlington Renegades; Caeveon Patton, Orlando Guardians; Delontae Scott, San Antonio Brahmas

Just like the offensive line, there were also ties when it came to the defensive line. According to the XFL, Drew Beesley had 27 total tackles and 5.5 sacks. Davin Bellamy had 20 total tackles and 5.5 sacks. Austin Faoliu had 24 total tackles and one sack. Jack Heflin had 25 tackles and one sack. Davonte Lambert had six total tackles and 1.5 sacks. Caeveon Patton had 40 total tackles. Finally, Delontae Scott had 36 tackles and 7.5 sacks.

Of course, these stats are not the specific reason that these players made the 2023 All-XFL Team this season. These athletes not only made an impact for themselves but helped others make key plays.

Linebacker: Trent Harris, Houston Roughnecks; Pita Tameopenu, Las Vegas Vipers; Jordan Williams, San Antonio Brahmas

There are three linebackers to make this list. According to the XFL, Trent Harris had 30 total tackles and 9.5 sacks. Pita Tameopenu had 26 total tackles, 7.5 sacks, and four forced fumbles. Jordan Williams had 89 total tackles, one fumble recovery for a touchdown, and one interception. These three each made big impacts on their team and well deserved to make the 2023 All-XFL Team.

Defensive Backs: Deontay Anderson, Las Vegas Vipers; Luq Barcoo, San Antonio Brahmas; Ajene Harris, Houston Roughnecks; Lavert Hill, St. Louis Battlehawks; Michael Joseph, DC Defenders

Five defensive backs were honored by making the 2023 All-XFL Team. According to the XFL, Deontay Anderson had 52 total tackles and one interception. Luq Barcoo had one interception, one fumble recovery, and 31 total tackles. Ajene Harris had five interceptions, one fumble recovery for a touchdown, and 36 total tackles. Lavert Hill had two interceptions and 25 touchdowns. Finally, Michael Joseph had four interceptions, two of them also being for a touchdown, one fumble recovery, and 41 total tackles.

Kicker: John Parker Romo, San Antonio Brahmas

While there may be no extra points, there are still field goals, which gives San Antonio Brahmas kicker John Parker Romo a spot on the 2023 All-XFL Team. Romo made 17 field goals out of 19 attempts, his longest being for 57 yards, according to the XFL.

Punter: Daniel Whelan, DC Defenders

DC Defenders punter Daniel Whelan made the All-XFL team as well. The punter averaged 45.6 yards per punt after 29 punts in the regular season, according to the XFL. 11 of them were in the 20, his longest being for 66 yards.

Return Specialist: Darrius Shepherd, St. Louis Battlehawks

St. Louis Battlehawks Darrius Shepherd is the final player to be on this list. On kick returns, Shepherd 24.5 yards per return for 907 yards. While he had no touchdowns, his longest return was for 80 yards, according to the XFL.

Many of the players listed received invites to various NFL teams’ mini camps. The XFL Championship is less than a week away, which will be between the DC Defenders and the Arlington Renegades. The Defenders had seven players make the 2023 All-XFL Team, while the Renegades just had one.

Each of these players deserved to make this list, and it is great for the league that every team was represented.