NEW ORLEANS — The Sun Belt was well-represented during the
2023 XFL Draft, as the eight-team professional league prepares to return from a two-year hiatus.
Twenty-five alumni of Sun Belt football programs were selected during the draft, including representatives from 11-of-14 conference teams.
Notably, Sun Belt programs produced 3-of-22 quarterbacks heading into XFL training camps—Kyle Sloter (Southern Miss, Arlington Renegades), Brandon Silvers (Troy, Houston Roughnecks) and Ben DiNucci (James Madison, Seattle Sea Dragons).
Four All-Sun Belt selections from a year ago—offensive lineman Shamarious Gilmore (Georgia State, Houston Roughnecks), defensive lineman C.J. Brewer (Coastal Carolina, Houston Roughnecks), linebacker Chauncey Manac (Louisiana, Houston Roughnecks) and linebacker Silas Kelly (Coastal Carolina, St. Louis Battlehawks)—were among the conference's 25 draftees.
The Sun Belt will be represented on all eight XFL rosters, led by seven alumni on the Houston Roughnecks and five on the Seattle Sea Dragons. Multiple former standouts will also compete for the St. Louis Battlehawks (3), Vegas Vipers (3), D.C. Defenders (2), Orlando Guardians (2) and San Antonio Brahmas (2).
James Madison (4), Marshall (4) and Southern Miss (4) paced all Sun Belt programs with four alumni selected in the 2023 XFL Draft, followed by Troy (3), Coastal Carolina (2), Louisiana (2), South Alabama (2), Georgia State (1), ULM (1), Old Dominion (1) and Texas State (1).
The XFL will hold a supplemental draft in early January 2023 for players who were not eligible for this week’s XFL draft, including players who are currently under contract with other professional football leagues. The XFL season will kick off on February 18, 2023.
QUARTERBACKS
Kyle Sloter, Southern Miss (QB, Arlington Renegades)
Brandon Silvers, Troy (QB, Houston Roughnecks)
Ben DiNucci, James Madison (QB, Seattle Sea Dragons)
OFFENSIVE SKILL
Ja'Marcus Bradley, Louisiana (WR, St. Louis Battlehawks - Round 2, Pick 15)
Brenden Knox, Marshall (RB, Seattle Sea Dragons - Round 5, Pick 38)
Damion Willis, Troy (WR, Seattle Sea Dragons - Round 6, Pick 43)
Rashard Davis, James Madison (WR, Seattle Sea Dragons - Round 7, Pick 54)
Grayson Gunter, Southern Miss (TE, Vegas Vipers - Round 11, Pick 85)
DEFENSIVE BACKS
Adam Sparks, ULM (DB, Vegas Vipers - Round 10, Pick 73)
Roger Cray, Old Dominion (DB, Seattle Sea Dragons - Round 10, Pick 74)
DEFENSIVE FRONT SEVEN
John Daka, James Madison (DL, Houston Roughnecks - Round 2, Pick 13)
Tavante Beckett, Marshall (LB, Houston Roughnecks - Round 3, Pick 20)
Omari Cobb, Marshall (LB, San Antonio Brahmas - Round 6, Pick 42)
Jamal Brooks, South Alabama (LB, D.C. Defenders - Round 6, Pick 53)
Caeveon Patton, Texas State (DL, Orlando Guardians - Round 8, Pick 57)
C.J. Brewer, Coastal Carolina (DL, Houston Roughnecks - Round 10, Pick 77)
OFFENSIVE LINE
Antonio Garcia, Troy (OL, Vegas Vipers - Round 1, Pick 4)
Shamarious Gilmore, Georgia State (OL, Houston Roughnecks - Round 3, Pick 17)
Jachai Baker, South Alabama (OL, Orlando Guardians - Round 3, Pick 21)
Norman Price, Southern Miss (OL, San Antonio Brahmas - Round 7, Pick 54)
Bryce Foxworth, Southern Miss (OL, St. Louis Battlehawks - Round 8, Pick 58)
Alex Mollette, Marshall (OL, Houston Roughnecks - Round 9, Pick 65)
Liam Fornadel, James Madison (OL, D.C. Defenders - Round 9, Pick 72)
SPECIALISTS
N/A
OPEN
Chauncey Manac, Louisiana (LB, Houston Roughnecks - Round 1, Pick 4)
Silas Kelly, Coastal Carolina (LB, St. Louis Battlehawks - Round 6, Pick 43)