Skip to main content
florida logo

A half dozen Gators on XFL teams as league launches this weekend

On3 imageby:Zach Abolverdi•02/17/23•

ZachAbolverdi

Kelvin-Taylor-Florida-Gators-XFL
Florida running back Kelvin Taylor. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Welcome to Good Morning Gators, where we cover the latest news, notes and analysis on Florida athletics. Join us each morning to get caught up on everything in the world of Florida football, UF recruiting, Gators basketball, Florida baseball and more.

The XFL returns this weekend with the start of the 2023 season, and a total of half dozen Gators are on three of the eight teams.

The in-state Orlando Guardians have a trio of Florida players in safety Matt Elam, running back Kelvin Taylor and punter Johnny Townsend. Elam, a former first-round pick, last played for the CFL’s Edmonton Elks in 2022, Townsend was with the Tennessee Titans twice in 2021 (along with the Chiefs and Texans) and Taylor spent time with the Orlando Apollos in 2019.

The Arlington Renegades are coached former UF defensive coordinator Bob Stoops with Gators safety Will Hill on the team. Hill, like Elam, played in the XFL during its shortened 2020 season and was with the Apollos the year before.

The DC Defenders roster includes Florida receiver Josh Hammond, who was a member of the Eagles and Patriots practice squads in 2022. The XFL also features former UF coach Ron Zook, who is the defensive coordinator for the Seattle Sea Dragons.

The XFL was rebooted by Vince McMahon but after only five weeks of play in its inaugural 2020 season, the year was over due to COVID-19 and the league filed for bankruptcy on April 13. The XFL was purchased for $15 million by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and business partner Dany Garcia.

Here is the XFL schedule for opening weekend:

Vegas Vipers@Arlington RenegadesSaturday, February 18
3:00PM ET
ABCFind Tickets
Orlando Guardians@Houston RoughnecksSaturday, February 18
8:30PM ET
ESPN / FXFind Tickets
St. Louis Battlehawks@San Antonio BrahmasSunday, February 19
3:00PM ET
ABCFind Tickets
Seattle Sea Dragons@D.C. DefendersSunday, February 19
8:00PM ET
ESPNFind Tickets

*** Not a subscriber of Gators Online? CLICK HERE to receive a year of premium access for $30.00!

In other Florida football news

UF recruiting roundup

Gators sports roundup

Let’s keep talking

Want to keep the conversation going? Head over to our Florida message board, Swamp Talk. Sign up here and join the discussion.

Also, you can sign up for Gators Online’s FREE Newsletter to have the latest in UF sports sent directly to your mailbox every day.

SUBSCRIBE TO THE GATORS ONLINE YOUTUBE PAGE

Gators Twitter updates

  • Scenes from Florida’s ‘Identity’ phase:
  • GatorMade takes on Disney World:
  • UF center Jason Jitoboh stepping up:
  • Kadarius Toney = Game Changer:

You may also like