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2023 XFL Combine Recap Notebook: Eye-Popping Drills, KJ Sails' Livestream Debut and More

Published on August 1, 2023 under XFL (XFL) News Release


The 2023 XFL Combine wrapped up last week after three full days of testing, interviews, drills and more. About 200 players made their way to Choctaw Stadium to put their best foot forward in front of decision makers for all eight XFL franchises.

While nobody was signed at the event - they will have to wait for this fall's draft to hear their names called - it is expected that many players who showed out in Arlington will find themselves on XFL rosters before training camps open.

D.C. Defenders director of player personnel Von Hutchins said the overall level of the players at this year's combine is significantly better than what they got at the showcases ahead of the 2023 season.

"It's night and day," Hutchins said. "Nothing against the guys from last year. But I just think the validity of what we showed on-field and the product that was on-field last year gave guys hope and an appreciation to what is ahead for this league. The competition and the types of players that we've received this year has been phenomenal."

LaColby Tucker's testing performance caught the eye of many

There were many players who caught the eye of the coaches and directors of player personnel at the XFL Combine, but no player dominated the XFL tests quite like LaColby Tucker.

Tucker topped the offensive line group in eight of the 12 tests conducted last Tuesday, including sweeping the grip strength drills and the jump drills.

But it wasn't just that he led the offensive linemen in those drills - and many times leading by significant margins. He led all XFL combine participants in Max Strength: Concentric Impulse during the jumps and in all three grip strength categories.

Tucker, who hasn't played football in two years when he suited up for Missouri Southern State, said he has been practicing for the past two years.

"I knew I could play at the next level and I know I put the work in," Tucker said.

Two players land in the 100th percentile for strength during the bench press

Running back Isiah Strayhorn and defensive lineman Austin Collier were the lone two players to be in the top percentile in strength during the bench press drills, which is based on the speed of the bar during the press.

Both Strayhorn and Collier were scattered across their group leaderboards. Strayhorn was top five among wide receivers and running backs in peak power and pound for pound power on the bench.

Collier had seven top-five finishes among defensive linemen, including four times finishing as the top performer for a data point. He was No. 1 in max velocity and all three bench press stats.

His peak power on the bench press was particularly impressive as Collier reached 5963 watts, which was about 600 more watts than anyone else who participated in the drill.

"I was sitting at home, my agent texted me a week out from the first showcase," said Collier, who finished his college career at Chattanooga this past fall. "Gave myself the best chance I could, showed up, performed. Now I'm here."

Jalik Jaggwe tops players with max acceleration

Wide receiver Jalik Jaggwe was the No. 1 player in max acceleration during the sprinting drills, topping out at 5.67 m/s/s. He just edged out running back Tyler Kennedy and wide receiver Malik Elon. Kennedy's max acceleration was 5.667 m/s/s and Elon's was 5.666 m/s/s.

Jaggwe, who began his collegiate career at Hutchinson Community College in Kansas, was an electric wide receiver for Division II William Jewell, located just outside Kansas City, Mo. He played in 25 games for the Cardinals, catching 129 passes for 2,042 yards with 12 touchdowns.

Kaylan Wiggins tops quarterbacks in max velocity

Kaylan Wiggins was the top quarterback in max velocity as he reached 21.39 miles per hour. Larry Harrington was second at 21.00 miles per hour.

Wiggins played his college ball at Florida International and Southeastern. In eight games this past fall with Southeastern, Wiggins passed for 1,548 yards and ran for another 505 while totaling 18 touchdowns.

Corey Johnson Jr. narrowly takes jump height crown

Running back Corey Johnson Jr. had the highest jump at the XFL Combine at 26.8 inches. Former Air Force defensive back James Jones IV was the only other player to jump over 26 inches.

Johnson played his college football at Kentucky Wesleyan, where he rushed for 1,573 yards in 30 games.

KJ Sails enjoys first media opportunity as host of the XFL Combine

D.C. Defenders cornerback KJ Sails said he has always wanted to get into the media space. So he reached out to league personnel about any opportunities to see if they might be able to help him out.

That's how Sails ended up as co-hosting the XFL Combine livestream with Sam Acho.

Sails had a blast on the livestream, saying his favorite parts were the opportunities to interview people like Renegades head coach Bob Stoops. But he also felt connected to what was happening on the Choctaw Stadium field.

"It's like watching yourself all over again through another lens," Sails said. "Seeing those guys come out here and knowing how hard they work, knowing how hard they prepare, just for one moment, I can understand what it means because I was once in their shoes. I'm happy for those guys to get the opportunity to showcase their talents here because not a lot of people get that opportunity."

Anthony Blevins explained what he was looking for during player interviews

The XFL Combine was the first major appearance for Dr. Anthony Blevins as the new Vipers head coach. The former New York Giants assistant was hired at the beginning of July, so he is at the beginning of building his culture with the Vipers.

While he said he still has a lot to parcel out with his roster and getting to know his team better over these next few months, he did know what he was looking for in the combine participants.

"We're looking for good people," Blevins said. "That's first and foremost. That's going to be how we're going to build this team with men of integrity, men and women of character. That's in every aspect of our organization."

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