NFL
By: Brock Vierra
Football fans, we are back! Despite being only one week removed from the Super Bowl, our football-loving hearts do not have to wait for the next NFL season for more football action. After it’s hiatus after the 2020 pandemic shut the second coming of the XFL down, it’s third addition of hard-hitting action is here.
With scores in the books, it’s time to highlight the top 10 standout performances in the XFL from week 1.
1. Trent Harris (OLB, Houston Roughnecks) The former NFL journeyman just announced to the world that he’s ready for his next shot. A dominant performance from the pass rusher that ended with four sacks on the day as his team comfortably beat the Orlando Guardians. His work on paper is impressive but when you see that his constant pressure on the quarterback led to three team interceptions, it’s easy to see why he’s ranked at number one. Especially when the highest amount of sacks recorded in the 2020 edition of the XFL was 4.5, Harris essentially tied that in just one outing.
2. Deontay Burnett (WR, Houston Roughneck) Another Roughneck on the list ended his spectacular day with 8 receptions, 90 yards and a touchdown. Virtually unguardable, Burnett constantly torched DB’s including a 46 yard reception. Perhaps Burnett could be the XFL’s next burner.
3. Jahcour Pearson (WR, Seattle Sea Dragons) Another burner, Pearson leads the XFL by a wide margin in receptions. Pearson had 12 receptions for 95 yards as his Seattle Sea Dragon fell short to D.C. One of the more sure handed receiver in the XFL, Pearson’s 12 receptions came off 14 targets.
4. LaRon Stokes (DL, Vegas Vipers) The Oklahoma Sooner had a big day against OU legend Bob Stoops. A constant force in the backfield, Stokes had 5.5 tackles on the day with 3.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. Stokes could not be pushed off the line and was the anchor for Rod Woodson’s excellent defense. Stokes’ contributions helped Vegas force Arlington to commit two turnovers and limited their offense to just 10 points.
5. Jontre Kirklin (WR, Houston Roughnecks) Another big day for a Roughneck receiver, Kirklin had 5 receptions, 71 yards and a touchdown. The LSU Tiger and National Champion was one of my personal UDFA sleepers in the 2022 NFL Draft and it seems he’s taken his knowledge from Steve Emsminger, Joe Brady and Kliff Kingsbury to develop as one of the XFL’s young talents. Orlando had a tough time guarding him and it looks like it won’t just be them.
6. Jeff Badet (WR, Vegas Vipers) Badet was the only receiver to have two touchdowns on the day in the XFL. Badet had 6 receptions, 81 yards and 2 touchdowns in a performance that shined over his teammates and NFL veterans Geronimo Allison and Martavis Bryant. With his statistical output coming off 9 targets and an average of 13.5 yards per catch, he is Vegas’ most reliable target.
7. Tim Ward (OLB, Houston Roughnecks) Trent Harris’ partner in crime did not fall into Harris’ shadow not one bit. Ward ended his week one performance with four tackles, two sacks and three tackles for loss. Ward was a standout performer, joining his other Houston Roughneck teammates on this list. Like Harris, Ward’s two sacks would’ve put him at the top of the sack leaderboard in the 2020 season.
8. Josh Gordon (WR, Seattle Sea Dragons) One of the most popular names in football, Josh Gordon gets another chance to play football and shine. With the pressure of his past constantly looming, Gordon blossomed with 6 receptions for 74 yards and a touchdown. Had Gordon had a better quarterback situation, we might be looking at the best receiver duo between him and Jahcour Pearson.
9. Max Borghi (RB, Houston Roughnecks) The former Washington State Cougar didn’t have many touches in college due to his school running both the Air Raid and the Run N Shoot offense so it comes at no surprise that Borghi had the exact same thing in the XFL. On only 8 carries, Borghi had 42 yards and a touchdown on the day. He averaged 5.3 yards per carry as well, making it know to Wade Phillips that’s he’s available whenever called upon.
10. Sean Davis (S, Houston Roughnecks) The former Pittsburgh Steeler brought his ball seeking skills to Houston as he ended his day with 5 solo tackles and an interception. A fundamentally sound player who was a major reason the Orlando Guardians had over 12 combined incompletions and three total interceptions on the day.
Honorable Mentions: Austin Proehl (WR, St. Louis Battlehawks), Kalen Ballage (RB, San Antonio Brahmas), Mike Scott (DT, San Antonio Brahmas), Andrew Jamal (WR, Orlando Guardians), Cody Lattimore (WR, Orlando Guardians), Jacoby Jones (DT, Orlando Guardians), Sal Cannella (WR, Arlington Roughnecks), Donald Payne (LB, Arlington Roughnecks)
