Know Your BattleHawks: the Offense
February 8, 2020 - XFL (XFL)
St. Louis Battlehawks News Release
The first game in St. Louis BattleHawks history is almost here, so we want to make sure that you are fully briefed on the players that will be working to bring championship to the Lou. Check out the rundown on 52 players on the roster that we'll be going to battle with this season, starting with the offense.
QUARTERBACKS
Jordan Ta'amu, QB, Ole Miss
Quarterback Jordan Ta'amu
The first player in St. Louis BattleHawks history, Ta'amu was assigned to the franchise on October 15, 2019. He began his collegiate career at New Mexico Military Institute before transferring to Ole Miss, where he threw for 3,918 yards and 19 TDs while rushing for 342 yards and 6 TDs in 2018.
Taylor Heinicke, QB, Old Dominion
Heinicke spent time with Minnesota, New England, Houston, and Carolina in the NFL. He completed 62.1% of his passes and threw for 330 yards in 7 NFL games.
Nick Fitzgerald, QB, Mississippi State
Fitzgeral was named the SEC Player of the Week for a school record six times. He passed for over 6,000 yards and rushed for over 3,500 yards for the Bulldogs.
RUNNING BACKS
Keith Ford, RB, Texas A&M
The son of a US Marine, Ford lived in Okinawa, Japan and did not begin playing football until high school. He began career with Buffalo Bills and carried the ball 21 times for 79 yards with the Indianapolis Colts.
Matt Jones, RB, Florida
Running back Matt Jones
Drafted in the third round of 2015 by Washington, Jones rushed for 950 yards in two seasons with the Redskins and five games with the Indianapolis Colts.
Christine Michael Sr., RB, Texas A&M
Drafted in the second round by Seattle in 2013, Michael has rushed for over 1,000 yards and scored seven touchdowns in the NFL. Michael earned a Super Bowl ring with the Seahawks in 2014 and has also played for Dallas, Green Bay, and Indianapolis.
Lenard Tillery, RB, Southern
Tillery rushed over 1000 yards three times while at Southern and scored 45 touchdowns in 43 games. Undrafted out of college, he has spent time with both the LA Rams and Tennessee.
WIDE RECEIVERS
Carlton Agudosi, WR, Rutgers
Agudosi played four seasons at Rutgers and signed as an UFA with the Arizona Cardinals in 2017.
Keith Mumphery, WR, Michigan State
Wide receiver Keith Mumphery
A fifth round pick of Houston in 2015, Mumphrey caught 24 passes for 198 yards in two seasons with the Texans.
DeMornay Pierson-El, WR, Nebraska
Pierson-El recorded 100 receptions for the Cornhuskers before signing with the Washington Redskins as an unrestricted free agent. He also spent time in the CFL with the Montreal Alouettes before signing with the Oakland Raiders in 2019.
Brandon Reilly, WR, Nebraska
Reilly played his high school ball at Bellevue High School before playing at the University of Idaho.
Alonzo Russell, WR, Toledo
Russell was as a seventh round pick in the 2018 draft by the Buffalo Bills. He has also been a member of the Tennessee Titans and Los Angeles Rams.
L'Damian Washington, WR, Missouri
Affectionately referred to as "Pops" by his fellow receivers with respect to his experience, the former Missouri standout was signed by the Dallas Cowboys as an unrestricted free agent in 2014. He also spent time on NFL rosters with San Francisco, New York Giants, Cleveland, Miami, Pittsburgh, Kansas City, and both Edmonton and Winnepeg in the CFL.
TIGHT ENDS
Cole Hunt, TE, Rice/TCU
Signed as an undrafted free agent with the Los Angeles Chargers in 2018. Earned his degree in sports management from Rice, but transferred to TCU for his final two years of eligibilty. Older brother, Joey, plays for the Seattle Seahawks.
Marcus Lucas, TE, Missori
Tight end Marcus Lucas
Lucas hails from Liberty, MO which is on the western side of the state. In four seasons at the University of Missouri, Lucas had 130 receptions for 1,638 yards and 11 touchdowns. Undrafted, Lucas signed with the Carolina Panthers in 2014. He also spent time on NFL rosters with Miami, Chicago, Seattle, Indianapolis, Oakland, Detroit, San Francisco, and Dallas.
Wes Saxton, TE, South Alabama
An All-Sun Belt selection in 2013, Saxton was signed as an UFA by the New York Jets and appeared San Francisco 49ers, and Seattle Seahawks.
OFFENSIVE LINE
Dejon Allen, G, Hawaii
All-Mountain West first team in 2017, Allen earned all-conference recognition three straight seasons at Hawaii. Originally signed as an unrestricted free agent by the Chicago Bears, Allen was later on the Green Bay Packers roster.
Jake Campos, OL, Iowa State
Campos earned an Engineering degree from Iowa State and spent time on the Dallas Cowboys roster.
Brian Folkerts, C, Washburn
A hometown kid, Folkers graduated from Hazelwood Central High School before playing in college at Washburn. He earned second-team all-America honors as a senior with the Ichabods. Undrafted, Folkers spent time with the New Orleans Saints, then the San Jose SaberCats in the Arena Football League, before signing with the Carolina Panthers. Folkers also was on the roster with San Francisco and played for the Rams when they left St. Louis in 2016.
Matt McCants, T, Alabama-Birmingham
McCants had been a tuba player and did not play football until his senior year of high school. Selected in the 6th round of the 2012 draft by the New York Giants, McCants has also played for Oakland and had two different stints with both Cleveland and Chicago.
Andrew McDonald, OL, Indiana
McDonald has five years of experience in the NFL, spending time with Miami, Carolina, Seattle, Indianapolis, Cleveland, and Houston.
Michael Miller, OL, Washburn
Offensive lineman Michael Miller
Miller earned a degree in Mathematics from Washburn. He was coached in college by now teammate Brian Folkerts.
Kent Perkins, G, Texas
Perkins signed as an unrestricted free agent with the Cincinnati Bengals in 2017 and appeared in one game. He played in 39 games with the Texas Longhorns and started 34 games. Perkins was also second team All-Big 12 in 2016.
Bruno Reagan, OL, Vanderbilt
Reagan owns his own judo academy and hopes to compete in the sport at the 2024 Olympics following his football career.
Brian Wallace, T, Arkansas
A hometown kid, Wallace graduated from CBC High School before playing collegiately at Arkansas. Wallace was acquired via trade with New York in January.
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