The XFL season kicked off with a bang and opening weekend was electric. Fans witnessed fun matchups and comebacks by teams late in games. The DC Defenders kicked off its season with a 22-18 victory over the Seattle Sea Dragons. I recently wrote about forgotten players on the San Antonio Brahmas. My focus turns to the DC Defenders this week. Ryquell Armstead, D’Eriq King, and Jordan Ta’amu had good collegiate careers and have been forgotten.
Ryquell Armstead
Ryquell Armstead was a workhorse running back at Temple University. Armstead carried the ball 573 times, rushed for 2,812 yards, averaged 4.9 yards per carry, and scored 34 touchdowns. Armstead was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the fifth round of the 2019 Draft. Armstead also played for the Giants, Saints, and Packers. Armstead was waived by the Jaguars on August 29, 2022. Armstead recorded 188 rushing yards, 160 receiving yards, and scored two receiving touchdowns in the NFL.
Ryquell Armstead’s career continues with the DC Defenders. Armstead can work his way back to the NFL by having a productive season and helping the Defenders win games.
D’Eriq King
D’Eriq King was one of the best quarterbacks in college football. King suffered a shoulder injury in 2021 and was ruled out for the season. Before the injury, King passed for 8,378 yards, threw 76 touchdowns and 19 interceptions. King played for the Houston Cougars and Miami Hurricanes. King went undrafted in 2022 and signed with the New England Patriots. King was waived by the Patriots and picked up by the Panthers. The Panthers released King in November 2022. King completed one pass for seven yards against the Seattle Sea Dragons.
Jordan Ta’amu
Jordan Ta’amu spent his collegiate career at the New Mexico Military Institute and the University of Mississippi. Combined Ta’amu passed for over 8,000 yards, threw 62 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. Ta’amu finished his college career ranked second in the SEC in passing yards. Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa ranked first.
Ta’amu went undrafted in 2019 and signed with the Houston Texans. Ta’amu played for the St. Louis Battlehawks in 2020. Ta’amu had two stints with the Lions and Chiefs and only played during the offseason. Ta’amu also spent time with the Washington Football Team in 2021 and the Carolina Panthers. Similar to D’Eriq King, Ta’amu was released by the Panthers in 2022. Ta’amu played for the Tampa Bay Bandits in 2022 and lead the USFL with 2,014 passing yards.
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