XFL Draft Pool Has A Louisville Flavor

Posted on by Shawn Barbour

Wrestling mogul Vince McMahon once had a league called the XFL that he launched in 2001. The league didn’t last long and folded before the conclusion of the first season.

Now, 19 years later, McMahon is set to try his hand again at creating and sustaining a football league to rival the NFL. In doing so, the XFL is set to hold a draft and they announced the pool of players that will be eligible for it. It just so happens that there a few former Louisville Football players that will be in the draft.

Former Louisville players Drew Bailey, Mickey Crum III, Keith Kelsey, James Quick, and Shaq Wiggins will be available for one of the 8 XFL franchises to draft. Quick, Crum, and Kelsey were all on NFL rosters, but did not record any stats during their stints in the NFL. All three signed as undrafted free agents.

Bailey played DT for the Cards from 2015-2017 after arriving at UofL from the JUCO ranks. In his career, Bailey totaled 82 tackles, 10 tackles for a loss, 3 sacks, and a he recovered a fumble. He was originally brought in as a DE before moving inside to tackle. Now, he looks to make a mark professionally.

Crum played TE at Louisville from 2015-2018. He had 45 receptions for 493 yards and 4 TDs for his career. Injuries hampered him during his entire career, but when Crum was able to play, he was productive. His size and athleticism made him a target in the passing game.

Kelsey was a stalwart LB for the Cards. He played for both former Coach Charlie Strong and former Coach Bobby Petrino. He was one of the players there for the initial transition from one staff to the other. Kelsey had an illustrious career from 2013-2016. Kelsey had 308 total tackles, 23 tackles for loss, 10 sacks, 10 passes defensed, 3 fumble recoveries, and 3 forced fumbles in his career. While he was unable to catch on in the NFL, he now has a chance to make a mark in the upstart XFL.

Quick, as did Kelsey, played for UofL from 2013-2016. He is a Louisville native, having played high school football at Trinity High School. A highly touted recruit, Quick chose to stay home and play for the Cards. Quick had a very productive career at Louisville. He had 126 receptions for 2032 yards and 14 TDs. He also rushed the ball 3 times for 17 yards.

Wiggins began his career at Georgia before transferring to Louisville after his freshman season. He played for the Cards in 2015 and 2016. While at Louisville, Wiggins was a very good CB. He had 38 total tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, 2 interceptions with 59 return yards, and 14 passes defensed. After the 2016 season, Wiggins transferred out of the Louisville program and finished his career at Tennessee.

We will update this list once the next few days as more names are released. CSZ will be keeping an eye on the XFL Draft and will let you know where these Cardinals Forever end up being drafted. If anyone wasn’t sure about watching the new league, this gives every UofL fan a reason to become viewers.

UPDATE:

Former Louisville TE Gerald Christian is now listed as an eligible player for the XFL Draft.

Christian originally went to Florida, but redshirted his first year. He saw limited action in his redshirt freshman season before transferring to UofL. He sat out his redshirt sophomore season due to NCAA transfer rules.

In his redshirt junior and senior seasons, Christian became a productive TE. He caught 60 passes for 810 yards and 9 TDs while suiting up for the Cards. Christian was the last player selected in the 2015 NFL Draft by the Arizona Cardinals. However, he ended up getting his only game action in 2016 when he suited up for the Buffalo Bills. He played in 3 games and caught 1 pass for 14 yards. Now, he seeks to make a mark in the XFL.

Former UofL RB Brandon Radcliff has been added to the XFL Draft pool. Originally from Miami, FL, Radcliff was a contributor or starter for all four of his years (2013-2016) at Louisville. He was part of Charlie Strong’s last recruiting class before Strong left to go to Texas. He rushed from 2365 yards in his Cardinal career and had 26 rushing TDs. Radcliff was utilized in the passing game as well; he had 199 yards receiving and 1 receiving TD.

Radcliff wasn’t able to make an NFL 53 man roster, though he did spend some time on the Miami Dolphins practice squad. Now Radcliff looks to make an impact in this resurrected upstart league.

Jaylen Smith was part of Bobby Petrino’s first full recruiting class. A WR out of Pascagoula, MS, Smith played at Louisville from 2015-2018. He was able to accumulate 2505 yards and 15 receiving TDs in his time in a Cardinal uniform. He was one of Lamar Jackson’s favorite targets.

Smith signed as an undrafted free agent the Baltimore Ravens, where his former QB Lamar Jackson resides. However, he was not able to make the final roster. Now he seeks his fortune in Vince McMahon’s reborn XFL.

Former Louisville DL BJ Dubose has been added to the XFL Draft pool. Part of Charlie Strong’s first recruiting class at Louisville, Dubose redshirted his freshman season and then played from 2011-2014.

Dubose amassed 72 tackles in his Louisville career including 13 tackles for loss and 6 sacks. He defended 2 passes and recovered 2 fumbles as well. After his career in a Cardinal uniform came to an end, Dubose went into the NFL Draft and he was drafted in the 6th round by the Minnesota Vikings. However, he was unable to make the final roster for the Vikings. Now, Dubose seeks to resurrect his career in the XFL.

Colin Holba was the long snapper for UofL during his time here. He was a hometown player, having played at Eastern High School. He eventually found his way to the Pittsburgh Steelers after being drafted by them in the 6th round. However, Holba lost a competition for the vacant starting spot at LS in Pittsburgh and ended up being let go. He played for both the Jacksonville Jaguars and San Francisco 49ers as well. Now he makes his way to the XFL to revive his career.

Former LB/DE Deiontrez Mount was a recruit in Charlie Strong’s heralded 2011 recruiting class. This was the same class that had one Teddy Bridgewater. Mount played for the Cards from 2011-2014 and turned into a very productive player.

Mount finished his Louisville career with 81 tackles, 18 tackles for loss, and 9 sacks. He defended 3 passes and forced a fumble as well. After his career was over, he was drafted in the 6th round of the NFL Draft by the Tennessee Titans.

Eventually, Mount played 3 seasons in the NFL for the Titans, the Colts, and the Broncos. He ended up with 6 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, and 1 QB hit. He also recorded 1 interception which he returned for 8 yards. Eventually, injuries limited his time as an NFL player. Now, Mount is looking to make a furious comeback in the XFL.

Zeke Pike was a highly touted QB at Dixie Heights High School in Ft. Mitchell, KY. He signed with Auburn out of high school, but did not stay there long as he transferred to Louisville. When he transferred, it was with the understanding that he would switch positions and play TE. Pike only played one year for Charlie Strong at Louisville. He recorded 1 tackle and 1 reception for 4 yards.

Pike did not play in the NFL. He tried out for the Colts earlier this year, but did not earn a roster spot. Pike has not had a chance to truly show his potential. Now, the XFL offers him a chance at redemption.

Former UofL TE Keith Towbridge was originally recruited by Charlie Strong, but ended up playing the majority of his Louisville career for Bobby Petrino. He played from 2013-2016.

While wearing a Cardinal uniform, Towbridge had 21 career receptions for 283 yards and 3 TDs. He also managed to collect 2 tackles. After finishing his career, he went undrafted in the NFL Draft.

Eventually, Towbridge bounced around from the Buffalo Bills to the Atlanta Legends of the Alliance of American Football to the Tennessee Titans and then back to the Bills before being cut. He never made the final 53 man roster and did not record any NFL stats. However, the interest from NFL teams shows he has talent and now he takes his talents to the XFL.

 

 

 

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