Orlando Guardians Make Selections in 2023 XFL Rookie Draft
June 16, 2023 - XFL (XFL)
Orlando Guardians News Release
ORLANDO - The 2023 XFL Rookie Draft was held Friday, with each team selecting the rights to 10 players.
Seven of Orlando's selections were on the defensive side of the ball, including three defensive linemen, two linebackers and two defensive backs. The three offensive players chosen by the Guardians were all offensive linemen.
The following is an alphabetical list of the Orlando Guardians' selections in the 2023 XFL Rookie Draft:
PLAYERPOSITIONLAST SCHOOL
Jeremy Cooper OL Cincinnati
Kosi Eldridge LB Texas Tech
Terry Hampton DL Arkansas
KD Hill DL Mississippi
Jarrett Horst OL Michigan State
Darius Joiner DB Duke
Jacquez Jones LB Kentucky
Keyron Kinsler Jr. DB Alcorn State
Brock Martin DL Oklahoma State
LaQuinston Sharp OL Mississippi State
The following is a brief bio of each of the Orlando Guardians' selections:
OL, Jeremy Cooper, Cincinnati
In 2022, helped lead the offense to No. 16 in the nation for red zone offense (.902) and No. 21 in the nation for fourth down conversion rate (.619)
Finished career with 29 starts
As the starting left guard, helped Cincinnati secure a berth in the College Football Playoff in 2021
Was a 2023 NFLPA Bowl Participant
Participated in Kansas City Chiefs rookie minicamp after going undrafted
LB, Kosi Eldridge, Texas Tech
Put together his best collegiate season in 2022 to wrap his Red Raider career after earning the starting nod at weakside linebacker in preseason camp
Started in all 13 games at linebacker in 2022, making him one of only four players on the defensive side of the ball to do so
Was the Red Raiders' second-leading tackler in 2022, with a career-high 91 stops (60 solo), including 4.5 for a loss and 2.5 sacks
DL, Terry Hampton, Arkansas
2022 was his lone season at Arkansas, appearing in all 13 games with three starts, recording 25 tackles with 3.5 tackles for loss and a pair of sacks as a defensive tackle
Started all 11 games on the defensive line in 2021 at Arkansas State, recording 35 tackles, 6.0 tackles for loss and 2.0 sacks
DL, KD Hill, Mississippi
Played in 47 career games with the Rebels and finished his career with 58 total tackles, four tackles for loss and a sack
2022 Chucky Mullins Courage Award winner
2022 Wuerffel Trophy Watch List
OL, Jarrett Horst, Michigan State
Played in eight games, starting seven at left tackle in 2022 at Michigan State
Started in 34 of 35 career collegiate games played (started 19 games at left tackle in 2019-20 for Arkansas State; started eight games at left tackle in 2021 for the Red Wolves, seven games at left tackle in 2022 for the Spartans)
Invited to play in the 2023 Hula Bowl in Orlando
DB, Darius Joiner, Duke
2022 Third-team All-ACC selection, started all 13 games and finished first on the team in tackles (97), tied for first in INTs (two), second in TFLs (8.0), fourth in sacks (4.0) and QB pressures (five)
FCS All-America honoree in 2021 at Western Illinois
Also played four years at Jacksonville State
LB, Jacquez Jones, Kentucky
Named a 2022 team captain for the Wildcats
Finished his collegiate career seeing action in 52 career games played with 38 starting assignments over five seasons
Totaled 305 career tackles (182 at Ole Miss and 123 at UK) along with 17.5 tackles for loss, 4.0 sacks, six pass breakups, four forced fumbles, two interceptions and one fumble recovery
DB, Keyron Kinsler Jr., Alcorn State
Ranked third on the squad in total tackles with 61 (34 solo, 27 assisted) in 2022
Collected one interception on the season and was tied for second overall with five pass deflections across his senior season
Earned invitation to FCS National Bowl all-star game
DL, Brock Martin, Oklahoma State
His 62 career games played are among the most in school history, with 34 starts
Recorded 145 tackles, 40 tackles for loss and 16 sacks in his career
2022 Team Captain was a second-team All-Big XII selection
OL, LaQuinston Sharp, Mississippi State
2021 All-SEC honorable mention (PFF)
3x SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week in 2022
Transferred to Miss State in 2017 after playing at East Mississippi CC)
Players who were drafted in the XFL Rookie Draft will be placed on XFL rosters with players who finished the 2023 season on active and reserve lists. XFL teams will hold exclusive rights with the players they select in the draft.
For undrafted players, the XFL will host a series of player showcases across the United States in June and July. These showcases will give prospective football players a chance to exhibit their skills in front of XFL coaches and personnel directors. Players will be evaluated based on performance for inclusion in the XFL Draft player pool for the upcoming 2024 season. The top performers will be invited to the XFL Combine, which will be held July 25-27 in Arlington, Texas.
Additional showcases will be held throughout the summer in Atlanta (June 18), St. Louis (July 7), Washington DC (July 9), Houston (July 14) and Arizona (July 16). Additional information on each of the showcases can be found below.
The XFL Combine, which will be held July 25-27 in Arlington, Texas, will be an invite only. Invitations will be sent to the top performers from the showcases earlier in the summer.
Registration is now open for the XFL showcases. If you are interested in attending, please register here.
The XFL has partnered with Nick Novak, founder of Novak Kicking & Consulting and former professional football placekicker, to run a specialist showcase in San Diego, Calif. on October 22, 2023. This event will focus specifically on kickers, punters, and long snappers, providing a dedicated forum for specialists to exhibit their skill set exclusively for the XFL's player personnel departments.
All specialists must register at www.nicknovak.com to be considered for the event. If accepted, you will receive a formal invitation.
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