The Back Page - December 12, 2021
Here’s some quick hits from around the ALT Football world from the past week!
XFL
While the XFL news has been rolling in rather slowly, an interesting develop took place this past week. During the scouting process for the FCS Bowl, XFL personnel were spotted in attendance. Senior Vice President of Player Personnel Doug Whaley was seen taking notes and scouting alongside other executives from the NFL and CFL. Although the XFL doesn’t kick off until 2023, it appears the league is already beginning the steps necessary to scout talent for the upcoming season.
FCF
As Fan Controlled Football ramps up it’s efforts ahead of the 2022 v2.0 season, a key date was dropped this past week. While on Twitter Spaces with the Knights of Degen, a new ownership group for one of the four new teams for season 2.0, FCF Co-Founder Shorob Farudi announced that Week 1 games are set for April 16, 2022. That date may sound familiar to some, as the USFL is set to kick off the very same week.
In other FCF related news, the league dropped a bunch of new merchandise on it’s website. To get a look at all of the new merch, click this:
Lastly as it concerns the FCF, the league’s next combine is set for December 18th in Los Angeles, California.
IFL
The Columbus Wild Dogs of the Indoor Football league announced this week that they will not be participating in the league for the 2022 season. The Wild Dogs are a brand new team, and were set to debut in upcoming IFL season. Here’s the official release via Twitter from the team:
“We have decided to delay the launch of the franchise another year. Unfortunately, due to the state of the pandemic & the restrictions that would surround our event, we've decided to postpone the 2022 season. Thank you for your enthusiasm & support. Stay tuned for plans in 2023!”
News on the delay may not have been a shock to all, as the company operating for the Wild Dogs had split from the teams ownership group just days prior to the announcement of the postponed 2022 season. Reported by Fox News 28 in Columbus, an email was sent out to fans this past week with the details of the split. Another hint had been dropped that that Wild Dogs might not be playing in the IFL’s upcoming season, as the team was not listed on the schedule at all.
Also in the IFL news department, the Spokane Shock announced the signing of former Houston Texans Defensive Tackle Javier Edwards.
NAL
Some big news dropped this week regarding the National Arena League’s Orlando Predators. Former Marshall Quarterback Rakeem Cato has been signed to the team. The former Thundering Herd star is a true dual-threat at QB, posting career numbers of 14,079 passing yards, 146 total touchdowns, and nearly a 63% completion percentage. Following his collegiate career, Cato spent time with the Montreal Alouettes in the CFL. He’s also played in the arena leagues with the West Richmond Roughriders and the Gulf Coast Fire.
In other NAL news, the Jacksonville Sharks have signed former NFL and CFL Wide Receiver Nyqwan Murray. Murray spent time with the Seattle Seahawks in 2019, and played for the Toronto Argonauts in 2020.
ELF
The European League of Football continues it’s steadfast approach to it’s 2022 season. The league released it’s 2022 strength of schedule this past week, highlighting each teams opponents and the difficult path to the playoffs for each. The Rhein Fire have the toughest schedule, while the Hamburg Sea Devils have the easiest. For the full breakdown, please click here:
Speaking of the Hamburg Sea Devils, the team has had an extremely busy off-season. The team announced the signing of ELF’s 2021 receiving leader Jean Constant. Constant put up monster numbers for the Barcelona Dragons this past year. His final stats looked like this: 74 receptions, 1,038 receiving yards, and 8 touchdowns. Additionally, the Sea Devils have also made a change at the Quarterback position. Last year’s starter Jadrian Clark will not return. The team will reportedly go with Salieu Ceesay as it’s QB1 for 2022.
Speaking of the Barcelona Dragons, the team announced the signing of former CFL Wide Receiver Benjamin Plu. The 6’2” receiver from France looks to fill the role left by the above mentioned Jean Constant. Plu previously spent time with the BC Lions in the CFL.