The Frenzy Five: Volume V
This week’s five most talked about topics in the world of ALT Football (Week ending 11/26/21)
ONE
The United States Football League announced it’s eight teams for the upcoming 2022 season this past week. The announcement came via “The Herd with Colin Cowherd” this past Monday. The eight teams will be split into two divisions, North and South, with a ten-game regular season schedule. Prior to the announcement of the eight teams, social media accounts started to pop up which referenced the teams. Let’s get a look at the teams and divisions:
The North Division will feature the Michigan Panthers, New Jersey Generals, Philadelphia Stars and Pittsburgh Maulers. Meanwhile, in the South division you’ll have the Birmingham Stallions, Houston Gamblers, New Orleans Breakers and Tampa Bay Bandits.
Following the announcement, fans have been claiming their respective team for the 2022 season. An interesting note on one of the eight teams. XFL News Hub’s Mike Mitchell had reported back in June of 2021, and reiterated after the press release of the teams being announced, that the Houston Gamblers coaching search has been hot. Mitchell specifically mentioned former NFL head coach Wade Phillips as being targeted for the Gamblers, with several other coaches in the running for the job. As the hype for the league continues to grow, one would think head coaches, along with an official press release regarding the location for the league’s inaugural season are due to drop very soon. For the latest on all USFL related news, click here:
TWO
The European League of Football’s Sworco Raiders Triol are set to move their scouting combine to a virtual event. The reason for the switch is due to COVID-19 restrictions in Austria. Albeit for circumstances out of their control with the ongoing global pandemic, the team has now also announced the date will be changed from 11/28/2021 to a deadline of 12/13/2021. Here’s a snippet from the team’s website regarding the news:
“All players that already have signed up to participate in the combine as well as all players who intend to sign up in the upcoming days will receive and email with detailed instructions on how to participate in the virtual combine.”
After announcing the hire of it’s head coach for the 2022 season, the Raiders look to enter the fold in the ultra competitive ELF next season. If you want to keep up with the ELF, hit this:
THREE
The Indoor Football League continues to March on towards it’s 2022 season. With free agency running rampant across the league, let’s get caught up on a few signings that took place this past week:
The Spokane Shock are bringing in former University of Texas DB Devante Davis. Heading over the the QC Steamwheelers, the team announced it has signed former NFL & XFL DL Kalani Vakameilalo. Along with the signing of Vakameilalo, QC has also signed former Central Connecticut State DB Tajik Bagley. The Iowa Barnstormers have signed QB Darius-James Peterson for the 2022 season. The Arizona Rattlers made some moves this past week, signing OL Matt Burrell and former West Virginia WR Victor Wharton III. Lastly, former CIF OL Rickey Benson Jr is headed to the Bismarck Bucks for 2022.
Lastly, the aforementioned Iowa Barnstormers will be hosting an open tryout on December 4th 2021. For the latest on all IFL news and transactions, please click this:
FOUR
The National Arena League’s Jacksonville Sharks have signed former NFL and TSL Defensive End David Gilbert. Although announced at the end of last week, the Sharks bring in a premier pass-rusher in Gilbert. The former University of Miami standout has had an NFL stint with the Tennessee Titans. Gilbert has also played in The Spring League for the Aviators, and was a staple in the defense. He’s no stranger to arena football, having played for the IFL’s Nebraska Danger, Colorado Rush and Salt Lake Screaming Eagles. For the latest movers and shakers in the NAL, press here:
FIVE
Fan Controlled Football continues to recruit talent. While the league hasn’t officially announced any signings, fans have been researching for the last few weeks on new additions to the league. To date, here are a few names that have signed with the league for v2.0:
Wide receivers Edwin Velasquez, Jr., Malik Bell, and CJ Anthony.
These players join the list of confirmed returnees which includes:
QB Caleb Lewis, Wide Receivers Treydonte Hill, LaMarcus Caradine, and Jordus Smith, Superbacks Quinn Porter and Daryl Virgies, Linebacker Joe Tito, and Defensive Ends James Lee and Clavacia Love.
With the first combine scheduled for December 4th, we should get an even bigger list of prospects set to join the FCF for season 2.0. FCF Co-Founder Patrick Dees has even stated a combine show is in the works. The show aims to connect FCF fans with the prospects that will be attending each combine leading up to the season. For the latest on all things FCF related, click here: