The XFL kicked off earlier this week after taking a two-year hiatus due to the Covid-19 Pandemic. During that time, the league was bought by new owners, Dwane ‘The Rock’ Johnson and Dany Garcia. The league also went through a lot of rebranding with The Rock being a former NFL player himself, knowing the risks and loopholes the league already had.
The XFL, along with the USFL which will start about two months after the XFL, are becoming hubs for overlooked college football players who went undrafted and needed to prove themselves, or former NFL players, trying to show NFL teams that they still have what it takes. Even though it’s not affiliated with the NFL, the XFL can be viewed somewhat like the Minor Leagues for the NFL.
When looking at the rosters of the 8 XFL Teams, a few names might pop out at Vikings fans. A few former Vikings players are currently on the rosters of XFL Teams, trying to get back into the NFL. Who are these players? Let’s take a look.
LB Edmond Robinson – Arlington Renegades
Robinson was a 7th Round Pick by the Vikings in the 2015 NFL Draft. Being a 7th round pick, Robinson rarely saw the field with the Vikings and was off the team after a season. Robinson would bounce around the NFL for a couple of years as well as short stints in the AAF and the first revival of the XFL. In his NFL career, Robinson has 28 total tackles. Robinson didn’t see much playing time in Week 1 and is currently a backup on the Renegades.
QB Kyle Sloter – Arlington Renegades
A name Vikings fans are very familiar with. Sloter was very well known in Minnesota for his preseason fanatics. Sloter was an undrafted free agent in 2017, picked up by the Broncos, but then signed off the practice squad by the Vikings. He would remain with the Vikings for 2 years and then bounce around the league for the next couple of years. Sloter was the first round pick for the New Orleans Breakers of the USFL in their inaugural season. Sloter was named to the All-USFL Team as he put up 168 completions for 9 TDs, 11 INTs, and 1,798 passing yards. Sloter is currently the Renegades’ backup QB to Drew Plitt.
WR Davion Davis – Houston Roughnecks
Davion Davis was an undrafted free agent that signed with the Vikings in 2019. Davis was on the Vikings practice squad for the 2019 and 2020 seasons. Davis then joined The Spring League in 2021 before joining the Cleveland Browns. Davis would be suspended for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy. Davis would be released and signed with the Houston Texans where he would stay for the 2021 and 2022 seasons. In his NFL career, Davis only caught 1 pass for 17 yards. Davis is currently a backup on the Roughnecks, backing up names such as Deontay Burnett, Jontre Kirklin, and Travell Harris.
CB Nate Meadors – St. Louis Battlehawks
Nate Meadors signed with the Vikings as an undrafted free agent in 2019. Meadors remained with the Vikings for the 2019 and 2020 seasons, mostly on the practice squad. Meadors has since bounced around the league. Meadors only recorded 2 tackles in his NFL career. Meadors got playing time in Week 1 of the XFL season but didn’t see much production on the field.
WR Jeff Badet – Vegas Vipers
Jeff Badet signed with the Vikings as an undrafted free agent in 2018. Badet spent 2018 and 2019 on the Vikings’ practice squad. Badet would then participate in the first revival of the XFL on the Dallas Renegades (now Arlington Renegades). Badet would rejoin the NFL but bounce around practice squads. Badet would play for the Michigan Panthers of the USFL in 2022. In Week 1 of the XFL Season, Badet reeled in 6 receptions for 81 yards and 2 TDs.
TE Brandon Dillon – Vegas Vipers
Brandon Dillon signed with the Vikings as an undrafted free agent in 2019. Dillon spent 2019, 2020, and 2021 seasons with the Vikings. During the 2022 season, Dillon spent time on the Jets’ and Saints’ practice squads. In Week 1 of the XFL Season, Dillon was unable to reel in a catch on a singular target. Despite not getting a catch in Week 1, Dillon is the starting tight end for the Vipers.
