Locals In The XFL: 2023 Week Two Recap
Feb 26, 2023, 8:18 PM
XFL owner Dwayne Johnson gestures to the crowd before the game between the Arlington Renegades and the Vegas Vipers at Choctaw Stadium on February 18, 2023 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images)
(Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – Multiple players with ties to the state of Utah are playing in the new edition of the XFL.
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Here is how the local players performed during the second week of the 2023 XFL season:
Locals Players in the XFL
Former Utah Utes
Francis Bernard – Linebacker – D.C. Defenders (2-0)
The former Utah linebacker had three total tackles and two solo tackles in D.C.’s 18-6 win over the Vegas Vipers on Saturday, February 25.
Next Game: vs. St. Louis Battlehawks on Sunday, March 5 at 11 a.m. (MDT) on FX/ESPN+
2-0 BABYYYYY#XFL2023 | #DefendDC pic.twitter.com/jFqH50fMuW
— D.C. Defenders (@XFLDefenders) February 26, 2023
Pita Taumoepenu – Linebacker – Vegas Vipers (0-2)
The former Utah linebacker had three total tackles, two solo tackles, and a fumble recovery in Vegas’ 18-6 loss to the D.C. Defenders on Saturday, February 25.
Next Game: vs. Seattle Sea Dragons on Saturday, March 4 at 5 p.m. (MDT) on FX/ESPN+
Former BYU Cougars
Tomasi Laulile – Defensive Lineman – Arlington Renegades (1-1)
The former BYU defensive lineman and the Renegades suffered a 23-14 loss to the Houston Roughnecks on Sunday, February 26.
Next Game: vs. Orlando Guardians on Sunday, March 5 at 2 p.m. (MDT) on FX/ESPN+
Tejan Koroma – Offensive Lineman – Seattle Sea Dragons (0-2)
The former BYU center and the Sea Dragons suffered a 20-18 loss to the St. Louis Battlehawks on Thursday, February 23.
Next Game: @ Vegas Vipers on Saturday, March 4 at 5 p.m. (MDT) on FX/ESPN+
Final from @LumenField #XFL2023 | #BreatheFire pic.twitter.com/ts5GnuAqJQ
— Seattle Sea Dragons (@XFLSeaDragons) February 24, 2023
Former Utah State Aggies
Marwin Evans – Defensive Back – Vegas Vipers (0-2)
The former Utah State defensive back had one tackle in Vegas’ 18-6 loss to the D.C. Defenders on Saturday, February 25.
Next Game: vs. Seattle Sea Dragons on Saturday, March 4 at 5 p.m. (MDT) on FX/ESPN+
Final. pic.twitter.com/68BHj3TSZM
— Vegas Vipers (@XFLVipers) February 26, 2023
2023 XFL Teams
North Division
- D.C. Defenders
- Seattle Sea Dragons
- St. Louis Battlehawks
- Vegas Vipers
South Division
- Arlington Renegades
- Houston Roughnecks
- Orlando Guardians
- San Antonio Brahmas
About the XFL
In April 2020, the XFL suspended league operations and terminated its employees amid the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
A total of 12 former college football players from the state of Utah were on active 52-man rosters in the eight-team league. Along with the 12 players, former BYU and Utah offensive coordinator Norm Chow was the offensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Wildcats.
In 2019, another football league, the American Alliance of Football, folded before the completion of its inaugural season.
After the XFL suspended operations, new ownership purchased the league. The group is led by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. Unlike the current edition of the USFL, which will start its second season in 2023, the XFL has partnered with the NFL.
Kyle Ireland is a Locals in the NFL Insider for KSLSports.com and co-host of the Yards After College Podcast. Follow him on Twitter (@kyleireland) and Instagram (@kyleirelandksl).
