From the XFL back to the NFL! That’s a goal that many XFL players would love to see come true.
According to reports, that’s set to be the case for former Iowa Hawkeye Jack Heflin. After spending this past spring with the Houston Roughnecks, it looks like Heflin has caught the eyes of the New Orleans Saints.
Heflin was one of 24 players that participated in the Saints’ rookie minicamp last week and it looks like he’s earned a larger opportunity. Tom Pelissero of NFL Network is reporting that the Saints are signing Heflin.
Another XFL alum is back in the NFL: Source says the #Saints are signing Jack Heflin, the former #Packers and #Giants DL who was with the Houston Roughnecks.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) May 15, 2023
It would represent a return to the NFL after spending the 2021 season with the Green Bay Packers and last season with the New York Giants. Per Pro Football Focus, Heflin played in three games and saw 17 total snaps with the Packers in 2021. Then, in 2022, he played in one game for the Giants and registered 23 snaps.
The defensive tackle enjoyed a breakout spring with the Roughnecks, tallying 25 tackles, three tackles for loss and one sack to earn All-XFL defense honors. Now, his spring efforts have earned him another opportunity in the NFL.
Heflin joined the Hawkeyes as a graduate transfer ahead of the 2020 season. The 6-foot-4 defensive tackle started all eight games for the Hawkeyes, recording 21 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, one quarterback hurry and one sack.
Before Iowa, he was a standout at Northern Illinois where his three forced fumbles in 2019 ranked second in the MAC. He ended that season as a second-team All-MAC choice by the league’s coaches after leading NIU in tackles for loss (8.5) and sacks (3.0).
It’s another feather in the cap for the Hawkeyes and their ability to send defensive talent to the NFL.
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