The XFL will return in 2023, with kickoff scheduled for the weekend following Super Bowl LVII. This time around, the league will feature eight teams under the leadership of owner Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, among other partners, and there’s a legitimate buzz in finding ways for the product to take hold.
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The league is gearing up for a February kickoff by providing teams with coaching staff and rosters. In November, the XFL held his three-day draft, with various position groups on either side of the ball.
The new year started with the XFL starting supplemental drafts to fill the remaining roster spots in each franchise.
The two former Seminoles are on the list with linebacker Reggie Northrup (No. 10 pick, 2nd round – DC) and wide receiver Nikwan Murray (82nd pick, 13th round – St. Louis).
Northup spent last spring at the USFL after being drafted by the Houston Gamblers in the first draft. He finished the season with his 81 tackles and now has a chance in another development league. Outside of soccer, he has built his fighting career in MMA. Known as the “Black Dragon”, he currently has a 6-0 record as an amateur and a 1-0 record as a professional. Northrup said he won by under three minutes in his most recent match against Michael Johnson on December 2nd.
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The Florida native signed with the Seminoles in 2012. Best known for his “Reggie Robot” dance after Florida State’s big win at Clemson in 2013. interception. Northrup was ultimately undrafted, but he spent time with the Washington Commanders and Los Angeles Rams.
Murray last played for the Jacksonville Sharks of the National Arena League in 2022, leading the team with 59 catches for 723 yards and 19 touchdowns in 14 games. He signed with the CFL’s Toronto Argonauts in his 2020 season, but he never appeared in a game after the season was canceled due to COVID-19. The Argonauts released him before the 2021 season started. Murray joined the Seattle Seahawks undrafted in 2019, but he didn’t make the final roster.
The Florida native was eligible for the Seminoles from 2015-2018, spending his career under former head coaches Jimbo Fischer and Willie Taggart. He scored his career-high five touchdowns, including a 104-yard, two-touchdown performance in the Orange Bowl victory over Michigan in 2016. Murray led the team the following year with 40 catches for 604 yards and four touchdowns. As a senior, he tied the team lead with 54 catches for 754 yards. Murray scored his 58-yard touchdown in the game-winning game against Louisville and was named to the Third Team All-His ACC to round out his career in Tallahassee.
XFL launches on ESPN on February 18, 2023.
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