It wasn’t long ago that St. Louis Battlehawks quarterback Jordan Ta’amu suited up for the division rival Houston Texans.
The Tennessee Titans never had to face him, though, as Ta’amu was on the team’s practice squad for just a few short weeks before he was waived back in August.
Ta’amu, largely regarded as one of the best quarterbacks in the XFL and probably second to only the Houston Roughnecks’ P.J. Walker, is also considered one of the most likely players to make it back to the NFL.
So what stands between the former Ole Miss quarterback and playing at the next level?
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It’s nothing more than a matter of simply keeping at it, according to Battlehawks coach Jonathan Hayes.
“Probably just reps,” Hayes told me. “This is going to be his resume. And as of now, he’s showing very well.”
Ta’amu didn’t start for the Rebels until his senior year, serving as Shea Patterson’s backup until the final five games of the 2017 season after Patterson went down with an injury, entering 2018 as the starting quarterback following Patterson’s transfer.
“These reps are vital for him,” Hayes said. “Not just for the future, but for our future in St. Louis. If he continues to grow in this manner, we’re going to be very happy with the things that he does. You can see his leadership growing and how he has a quiet confidence about him, but he’s starting to become more vocal. That’s one thing that’s been great to watch as it’s nurtured and as it grows with him.”
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Ta’amu finished out the Battlehawks’ 28-24 road loss to the Roughnecks going 30-of-37 passing for a completion percentage of 81% for 284 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions.
Hayes also spoke to “keeping defenses balanced” by staying efficient in both the passing game and the ground game — something Ta’amu has greatly contributed to this season.
The quarterback totaled eight carries for 32 yards with one touchdown. He was even more effective on the ground in Week 1, recording nine carries for 77 yards with a long of 37 yards — just nine yards short of ending the game as the team’s leading rusher.
Ta’amu has displayed an impressive work ethic through the beginning of his XFL career, and has a strong coaching staff to help him continue to develop.
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“Jordan is growing weekly, and I love that about him,” Hayes said. “He’s a sponge. Chuck (Long) has done an exceptional job with Jordan. Fortunately for us, coach Long played in the NFL. He’s been under center. He knows what it’s like. He can give Jordan those experiences.”
There’s a lot to like about Ta’amu, with the dual threat he provides, overall accuracy, strong mechanics, adequate arm strength and velocity.
That’s why Roughnecks coach June Jones tried to bring him to Canada when he was still coaching with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
“He’s a good player,” he said. “I’ve liked him since a long time ago, and I was trying to get him in Hamilton on our neg list two-and-a-half years ago. And so, I know that this is a great league for him to get to play and prove that he’s a player who can take things to the next level. I kind of knew he was a quarterback, and he proved it tonight that he was. I think during the two picks, he kind of forced a couple things, but once he learns to take care of the football, he’s going to be a real quarterback.”
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Ta’amu and the Battlehawks will look to bounce back as they play their home opener against the New York Guardians at 2 p.m. CST on Sunday in The Dome at America’s Center.