Tag: jalen myrick

Various former Jags could participate in XFL’s return Saturday

There will be several familiar Jags playing during the opening day of the XFL’s schedule, including a former draft pick of the team.

The Xtreme Football League is back and Saturday will mark the long-awaited return of the football league in which was created by World Wrestling Entertainment chairman, Vince McMahon. First up on the schedule will be the Seattle Dragons who will take on the DC Defenders at Audi Field in Washington DC at 2:00 PM ET.

There aren’t any former Jags on the Dragon’s roster, however, the Defenders may have the most talent Jags on their roster in the whole XFL. All of those players will play on the defensive side in defensive backs Doran Grant and Jalen Myrick, and defensive tackle Tony Guerad.

Of the four, both Myrick and Grant could be leaders for the defenders as both flashed for the Jags. Myrick, in particular, was a late-round selection for the Jags in 2017. He ran a 4.28 in the 2017 combine before that and it wouldn’t be shocking to see him used on defense and as a special teams returner. As for Grant, he was a player who made plays for the Jags in practice during the 2017 offseason but couldn’t make the main roster in the end.

Lastly, the Los Angeles Wildcats will travel to Houston to play the Roughnecks. Los Angeles has three Jags on the roster in receiver Tre McBride and tailbacks Dujuan Harris and Elijah Hood. McBride, who flashed for the Jags last preseason, in particular, could be a star as he’s spent time on a regular-season roster with the New York Jets and actually has an NFL touchdown registered to his name.

On the Roughneck’s roster will be former Jags defensive backs Saivion Smith and Cody Brown, and offensive lineman Demetrius Rhaney and Avery Gennesy. Smith, in particular, could be a standout amongst his squad after spending time with the Alabama Crimson Tide coming out of college. He had a draftable grade in the eyes of some last season, however, he ended up being an undrafted rookie free agent.

Several former Jags set to take field in XFL’s return

Tre McBride is one of several former Jags who could be an early contributor in the XFL, which will have its first game on Saturday.

The NFL season may be over with Super Bowl LIV in the books, but thanks to the return of the XFL, football season will continue. The first couple of games will kick off Saturday February 8 and will run through April 19, which will mark the date of the league’s championship game.

Last month, all eight teams finalized their rosters and several Jags manage to stick. Here are the 17 former Jags who will be apart of the XFL’s return:

DC Defenders

  • CB Doran Grant
  • CB Jalen Myrick
  • DT Tony Guerad
  • S Cody Brown

Houston Roughnecks

  • CB Saivion Smith
  • OL Demetrius Rhaney
  • OL Avery Gennesy
  • S Cody Brown

Los Angeles Wildcats

  • WR Tre McBride
  • RB Dujuan Harris
  • RB Elijah Hood

New York Guardians

  • RB Tim Cook III
  • LB Nick DeLuca
  • DT T.J. Barnes

St. Louis BattleHawks

  • DT Marcus Hardison

Tampa Bay Vipers

  • QB Chase Litton
  • CB Bryce Canady
  • TE DeAndre Goolsby

Analysis

The New York Guardians, Los Angeles Wildcats, and DC Defenders will be worth watching the most if you’re looking for former Jags who could have a big impact.

For the Guardians, linebacker Nick DeLuca could be a big contributor in terms of tackles as he’s one of the few names above who has played in a regular season football game with the Jags. He started in two games for the Jags and participated in nine, accumulating 10 tackles and a sack.

Running back Tim Cook could be a bruiser type tailback for the Guardians at 6-foot-0, 247 pounds, and I could see head coach and former Jags assistant Kevin Gilbride utilizing him a lot this XFL season. Additionally, defensive tackle T.J. Barnes is a player who could eat up double teams in the middle of the Guardians’ defense at 6-foot-7, 365 pounds.

The Defenders’ defense could have some early contributions from corners Jalen Myrick and Doran Grant. Myrick offers elite speed and ran a 4.28 at the 2017 combine, so he could be utilized both on defense and maybe on special teams.

Grant, on the other hand, played alongside Myrick a lot in the 2017 preseason when with the Jags. His scrappiness should definitely get him some time on the field as he proved to be someone who was always near the ball in the Jags’ preseason practices.

Lastly, the name to look out for with the Los Angeles Wildcats is that of receiver Tre McBride. He was close to making the Jags’ final roster last year but was ultimately beat out by C.J. Board. If his hands have improved, he could be a go-to guy for the Wildcats through the air as he offers them a target with good size (6-foot-0, 210-pounds).