XFL Draft Predictions – Quarterbacks
We throw some Quarterbacks on our list of future XFL draftees!
SFF is starting a brand-new series encapsulating the upcoming XFL draft and potential draftees at each position. At the forefront of each of the eight teams is the most important position: Quarterback. With news breaking just last week that Quarterback Guru and former NFL player Jordan Palmer has been hired as the Director of Quarterback Development for the league, this seems like the perfect position to speculate on first. Below are a handful of gunslingers who could hear their names called in the XFL’s upcoming player draft!
Cole McDonald – University of Hawaii
Cole McDonald has seen his fair share of Spring / Alternate Football. Originally a 7th round draft choice by the Tennessee Titans in 2020, McDonald failed to make the team and was subsequently cut before the start of the season. Following a short stint with the Conquerors in The Spring League, McDonald would sign a futures deal with the Arizona Cardinals in 2021. He’d be waived by Arizona a few months later. McDonald would then set his sights on the CFL, signing a deal with the Toronto Argonauts in September of 2021. McDonald would spend most the season on the practice squad, getting minimal reps in the regular season before being released back in May of 2022.
The XFL is tailor-made for a guy like Cole McDonald. He’s certainly shown flashes when called upon in his various stops in professional football, but he needs polishing and development. McDonald received an invite to the XFL’s Player Showcase in Hawaii this past June putting his talents on full display. One must think McDonald is one of the better free agent signal callers available for the upcoming XFL draft.
Eric Dungey – Syracuse University
Eric Dungey is a name that XFL fans should be aware of. Dungey played for the Dallas Renegades in the XFL’s 2020 iteration, serving as a backup to Landry Jones. With prior stops in New York with the Giants, and in Cleveland with the Browns, Dungey has some ability. The Giants attempted to convert Dungey to Tight End but with little success. Following the collapse of the XFL after Week 5 in 2020, Dungey would patiently await his next professional football opportunity. The Spring League would come calling, as Dungey would suit up for the Blues in 2021. Well, not exactly. The TSL faithful would not get a chance to see Dungey in the league, as the Cincinnati Bengals signed Dungey just before the start of the 2021 TSL season. He’d be released in December of 2021.
Dungey is yet another Quarterback that deserves a chance to showcase his talents on the gridiron. He clearly has the skills and athleticism to play the position, and the XFL could prove to be the stage where he can prove himself. With Dungey having played for the Renegades in 2020, he’s rumored to have automatically secured an entry in to the XFL’s Draft Pool.
Kelly Bryant – Clemson University / University of Missouri
Kelly Bryant might be the most intriguing player on this entire list. A former standout at Clemson and Missouri Bryant has bounced around a few different professional football leagues since his days in college. After going undrafted in 2020, Bryant would latch on with the CFL’s Toronto Argonauts in two different stints. In between his CFL stops in Toronto, Bryant would try his hand in Arena Football with the IFL’s Bismarck Bucks. Next on the list for Bryant was the FCF. He would take the starting job from Johnny Manziel and will the Zappers to The People’s Championship, winning the game and game-MVP in the process.
We know that Bryant can play at a very high level, as evidenced at Clemson and in the FCF. The question for Bryant has always been consistency. The XFL might be the opportunity Bryant needs to establish himself as a hot commodity on the NFL’s radar.
AUTHOR NOTE: I had the opportunity to watch Kelly Bryant in person as he warmed up during the FCF’s semifinal playoff games in Atlanta this past May. Bryant showed some nice zip on the ball, and he commanded the huddle like a true professional. It was fun to watch!
Cardale Jones – Ohio State University
Ole faithful Cardale Jones must be included on this list, no? The former Ohio State Buckeye hasn’t left the alternate football scene just yet, which might be music to the ears of XFL fans. Originally drafted in the 4th round of the 2016 NFL draft by the Buffalo Bills, Jones piggy-backed off an impressive collegiate career with Ohio State. Jones would serve as a backup to Tyrod Taylor before being traded to the Chargers in 2017. After being released in 2019, Jones would cross paths with the XFL via the DC Defenders. Jones would play in all five games in 2020 before the season was cut short due to COVID-19. Jones most recently signed with the CFL’s Edmonton Elks in May of 2022.
Jones was spotted at the XFL’s Showcase in Dallas a few weeks ago. The league hasn’t exactly been quiet about the possibility of Jones returning to the league in 2023 either. Jones was a prominent feature in the photos and “hype” video of the Showcase held at Choctaw Stadium. Jones clearly wants another opportunity in professional football, and it looks like the XFL might be the platform for him.
David Watford – University of Virginia
David Watford out of Virginia is an interesting prospect. Watford had a nice career at the U of VA but would go undrafted in 2016. After a short stint with the Philadelphia Eagles at a receiver, Watford would land with the CFL’s Saskatchewan Roughriders as a Quarterback. After limited reps in 2017 in Saskatchewan, Watford would venture onto the Hamilton Tiger-Cats roster in 2019. Watford was ineffective as a passer for Hamilton and would be released in 2021.
Watford looks to continue his professional football career and the XFL seems like a great fit. The league needs playmakers at the QB spot, and Watford clearly has the tools necessary.
Honorable Mentions
D’Eriq King – University of Miami / University of Houston
If you’re a college football fan, D’Eriq King is a household name. The dynamic playmaker out of “The U” fits the XFL mold 100%. King went undrafted this past April and ended up signing with the New England Patriots. Bill Belichick and company made the decision to convert King to the wide receiver position. A position he’d dabbled with in college while at the University of Houston, New England did not like the results, as King was cut just a week after signing. While King is undersized at the QB spot, his dual threat capabilities make him an intriguing player in the XFL Draft Pool.
Geremy Hickbottom – Tennessee State University
A little less well known in the world of professional football, Geremy Hickbottom is a name to keep an eye on when the XFL gets rolling. The former Tennessee State University showcased his talents at the first annual HBCU Legacy Bowl back in February. Hickbottom earned MVP honors after leading his team to victory, while showing off his talents both through the air and on the ground. It’s clear that the XFL will put more stock into HBCU athletes and minority coaches, and Hickbottom looks to be at the top of that list.
Quinton Flowers – University of South Florida
Lastly, we have former Tampa Bay Vipers and FCF Beast Quarterback Quinton Flowers. While it is unknown whether Flowers is pursuing the XFL, he could make a case to be selected in the upcoming XFL draft. After going undrafted in 2018, Flowers would spend time with the Indianapolis Colts and Cincinnati Bengals as a running back. Following those unsuccessful stops, Flowers would join the XFL in 2020 with the Vipers. Though it is unclear what happened in Tampa Bay, Flowers never got a chance to prove himself as a QB in the XFL the first time around. Fan Controlled Football gave Flowers that opportunity, and he delivered. He led the league in total touchdowns in 2021. If Flowers decides to play football in 2022, the XFL could be his chance to shine in traditional 11-on-11 football.