The Quarterback situation will be one of the biggest determiners in the 2023 XFL Champion when they are crowned in the AlamoDome later this spring. While not official, through some analysis, XFL Bets put together our starting 8 QBs and their definitive rank among each other.
- Ben DiNucci – Seattle Sea Dragons
Ben DiNucci has got something to prove in the 2023 XFL season. His college career took off when he transferred to JMU where he had a 70% completion rating, 4400 yards, 37 to 11 TD to INT ratio all in just two years. He also posted 12 rushing TDs at JMU.
He was drafted by the Cowboys in the 7th round of the 2020 draft. He started one game (one more than almost every other XFL QB), and was released in 2022.
DiNucci is the clear starter in my eyes in what should be an exciting offense of the Sea Dragons. Head Coach Jim Haslett is a seasoned vet with 30+ years of coaching experience as well 5 years as the Saints Head Coach. Add that to June Jones, the offensive coordinator, who has been coaching since 1983, this offense could be dangerous.
- Jordan Ta’amu – DC Defenders
Ta’amu has been here before. In 2020, with the St. Louis BattleHawks, Ta’amu led the team to a 3-2 record posting over 1000 yards passing with 200 yards rushing to go with it. He was responsible for 6 TDs in 5 weeks.
Recently, he was selected to the Tampa Bay Bandits in the 2022 USFL league as the second player taken off the board. He led that league in passing yards and touchdowns. He is a true dual-threat weapon that should have defenses worried.
Ta’amu has the experience and stats to back up my prediction to be one of the best QBs in the 2023 XFL year, while Coach Reggie Barlow should provide the leadership and wisdom to help this Defenders team contend in the North.
- Ryan Willis – St. Louis BattleHawks
Ryan Willis has a serious chance to increase his NFL potential during this 2023 XFL season and he knows that. With that said, drafted along-side one of the most decorated college football players of all time pieced together with years of NFL experience in AJ McCarron, there’s no doubt this will be a battle for the starting spot for Willis.
Willis started at Kansas and after two years transferred to VA Tech. There he threw for 33 touchdowns and rushed for five more. He went undrafted and recently had a short stint with the Bears but was released in 2022.
In 2021, however, Willis tore up the Spring League winning the MVP with the most passing yards, most TDs, and even had a 400-yard game. He’s only 26 years old to McCarron’s 32. Look for Willis to make a statement this year, especially with the wide receiving experience and head coaching sagacity the St. Louis BattleHawks obtained.
- Brandon Silvers – Houston Roughnecks
Silvers is another QB that has been in this spot before. In 2020, Silvers played with the Seattle Dragons posting 500+ yards, 6 TDs and 4 INTs. This year he’s looking to improve on the 1-4 record he put up in 2020.
Silvers was a four year starter at Troy. He put up monster numbers in college with over 10,000 yards passing, 71 passing TDs to just 29 INTs to go along with 16 rushing TDs. As he went undrafted, a small stint with the Saints without a professional snap was the only NFL look he received.
Under the Roughnecks coaching staff run by legend Wade Phillips, I expect Silvers to have a standout year.
- Luis Perez – Vegas Vipers
Luis Perez has always played with something to prove, and I think the 2023 XFL season won’t be any different. He never even played football until college where he started out at Southwestern College. Transferring to Texas A&M Commerce, Perez posted a 68% completion rate with 78 TDs to just 16 INTs.
After going undrafted, Perez spent some short times with the Rams, Eagles, and Lions, but unfortunately nothing ever crystalized. Moving to different spring leagues, Perez has played in a total of five different leagues, but played very well during his time in the AAF (2019), XFL (2020), and USFL (2022).
Perez is a proven QB. Expect him to continue to be the consistent player that he has always been. His current backup is Jalan McClendon, who was the backup at Baylor during his tenure. I expect Perez to start game one and to start the entire season if the Vipers want to compete in the XFL North.
- Kyle Sloter – Arlington Renegades
Kyle Sloter is a name most football fans know. The 28 year old Northern Colorado graduate broke out in 2016 with 29 TDs during that season. He went undrafted but has spent time in the NFL with the Broncos, Vikings, Cardinals, Lions, Bears, and the Jags.
After getting bounced around in the NFL, Sloter spent some time in the USFL with the Breakers where he put up 1800 yards and 9 TDs. Unfortunately that came with 11 INTs.
Sloter has the talent, unquestionably, but there is a reason he hasn’t started a game yet in the NFL. For the XFL, he is mostly a pocket passer in a league that favors dual-threat athletes. His backup is Drew Plitt, an XFL rookie out of Ball State, and don’t be surprised to see Plitt make some starts this year.
- Jawon Pass – San Antonio Brahmas
This is Pass’ first real professional opportunity. At Louisville, he was the backup to Lamar Jackson. When he did get his shot, Pass struggled with 14 TDs to 13 INTs. He did use his rushing ability occasionally with 5 rushing TDs during his time at Louisville. He then transferred to Prairie View A&M where he, again, struggled to limit giveaways.
The Brahmas also have Anthony Russo, a QB out of Temple looking to find success in his first career pro opportunity too. I think Pass gets the nod in the first couple of games but don’t overlook Russo as a backup.
Lastly, Head Coach Hines Ward is looking to immediately win with his first real coaching opportunity. This team has the youth and the energy, but it may take a while before all of the gels together smoothly.
- Deondre Francois – Orlando Guardians
Many will remember him for the off-the-field issues that led to his dismissal at Florida State, but recently Francois has stayed out of the media while performing highly on the field. In the Fan-Controlled Football league, Francois posted 19 passing TDs along with 10 rushing TDs.
With that said, I can’t put much stock into the FCF league. It’s 7 on 7 and, while exciting, doesn’t translate well to the 11 on 11 decision making.
Along with that, Terrell Buckley is the head coach of the Orlando Guardians. While a proven defensive backs coach at Ole Miss, Mississippi State, and Louisville, he does not have experience as a head coach. Moreso, Robert Ford is their offensive coordinator, and he has not been a professional coach since 2011.
Francois has the talent to be a great QB in the XFL, but that won’t materialize just yet.
What do you guys think? Did XFL Bets get the rankings right? Leave a comment below if you agree or disagree!