Seattle Sea Dragons Complete XFL Rookie Draft Selections
June 16, 2023 - XFL (XFL)
Seattle Sea Dragons News Release
SEATTLE - The following players were selected by the Seattle Sea Dragons in the XFL Rookie Draft conducted on June 16, 2023. Players are listed alphabetically and head shots for each draftee can be found here.
PLAYER POSITION LAST SCHOOL
Johnny Buchanan LB Delaware
Sam Burt DL Kansas
Des Holmes OL Arizona State
Malcolm Lee DL Kansas
Colby Reeder LB Iowa State
Titus Swen RB Wyoming
Destin Talbert DB North Dakota State
Chad Townsend WR Texas Tech
Jazston Turnetine OL Florida St
Payton Wilgar LB BYU
Prior to the draft the Arlington Renegades and Seattle Sea Dragons announced a trade with Arlington receiving Tuzar Skipper, LB, Toledo and a Seattle draft pick and Seattle receiving George Moore, OL, Oregon and an Arlington draft pick.
"We were able to add a nice group of players, who if developed, will have the opportunity to wear a Sea Dragon jersey come 2024," stated Randy Mueller, Seattle Sea Dragons, Director of Player Personnel. "Our coaches are excited for this rookie class, and cannot wait to see them compete with our returning players. The selections made today, we felt were the right step in making it back to another championship season."
The Sea Dragons had the option to select up to 10 players in today's Rookie Draft. Those drafted today, will be placed on the team's roster with players who completed 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.
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 atwww.nicknovak.com to be considered for the event. If accepted, you will receive a formal invitation.
SEATTLE SEA DRAGONS ROOKIE DRAFTEES
DL, Sam Burt, Kansas
Played in 58 games, starting 22, piling up 50 total tackles and three tackles for loss during his career at Kansas
Recorded 18 tackles, 11 solo while recording 1.5 sacks and 1.5 tackles for loss in 2022
Was invited to the Tampa Buccaneers rookie minicamp after going undrafted
OL Des Holmes, Arizona State
Started four games at right tackle before moving over to start at left guard
Played in 32 games at Penn State before transferring to ASU
Journalism major
DL, Malcolm Lee, Kansas
Played a total of 31 games
Recorded 48 solo tackles as a Jayhawk, most came his Senior year, with 19
Ended collegiate career with 7.5 tackles for loss
DL, Wes Moeai, Rocky Mountain
Two-time all-Frontier selection (First Team in 2022)
Started his career at Dixie State and took a year away from football before transferring to Rocky Mountain College
LB Colby Reeder, Iowa State
Honorable Mention All-Big 12 in 2022
Made eight starts, missing four games due to injury and ranked seventh on team with 38 tackles, including 4.5 for a loss in lone season at Iowa State
Four-year contributor at Delaware, competing in 35 games earning All-CAA Third Team in 2021 and finishing the season with 55 tackles, 5.5 TFL, 3.5 sacks and one interception
RB Titus Swen, Wyoming
2021 led the Cowboys with 7 rushing TDs. Had 132 carries for 785 yards.
His 98-yard TD rush against Utah State is the longest in Wyoming history
Sat out 2020 season after playing in eight games in 2019
DB Destin Talbert, North Dakota State
2022 Fourth-leading tackler on NDSU with 59 total tackles (one tackle for loss)
Played 67 career games with 144 tackles, 3.5 TFL, 4 INT, 25 PD
2018 MVFC Honor Roll
WR, Chadarius Townsend, Texas Tech
In 2021, served as Texas Tech's primary kick returner and a backup at running back, carrying 10 times for 65 rushing yards on the ground, while also returning 11 kicks for 216 yards on special teams.
Spent his first three years at Alabama before transferring to Texas Tech
OL, Jazston Turnetine, Florida State
Saw action in all 13 games with eight starts (2022)
Earned team's Don Powell Award
Helped Seminoles lead the ACC in third-down offense, yards gained per pass, yards gained per play, yards gained per rush, total offense per game, yards per completion, rushing offense per game and scoring offense per game
LB Payton Wilgar, Brigham Young
Four-year starter at BYU (2018-22) appearing in 45 games with 40 starts
Tallied 198 total tackles (103 solo) along with 5 interceptions, 10 pass breakups and 16.5 tackles for loss
Pro Football Network Independent Linebacker of the Year and All-Independent First Team Defense (2021), Phil Steele All-Independent Second Team Defense (2021), Bronco Nagurski Trophy watchlist (2021), Butkus Award watchlist (2021) and Pro Football Focus All-Freshman Team (2019)
XFL Stories from June 16, 2023
- Seattle Sea Dragons Complete XFL Rookie Draft Selections - Seattle Sea Dragons
- Arlington Renegades Complete 2023 XFL Rookie Draft - Arlington Renegades
- XFL Completes Rookie Draft - XFL
- St. Louis Battlehawks Select 10 Players in XFL Rookie Draft - St. Louis Battlehawks
- Orlando Guardians Make Selections in 2023 XFL Rookie Draft - Orlando Guardians
- Houston Roughnecks Complete Rookie Draft - Houston Roughnecks
- Vegas Vipers Select 10 Players During XFL Rookie Draft - Vegas Vipers
- Arlington Renegades and Seattle Sea Dragons Complete Trade in Advance of 2023 XFL Rookie Draft - XFL
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