Spring football is back in February, and it has many fans wondering, who are the best players on the 2023 XFL rosters. Well, look no further as this space will serve as the source for everything you need to know about the top players in the 2023 XFL season.
The football league created — and then sold — by WWE founder Vince McMahon returns on February 18 for its first season in three years. Many of the teams who competed in 2020 are back, as well as several relocated and all-new franchises in this latest version of the alternative professional football league.
Related: XFL games today – 2023 Schedule, teams, and how to watch
However, many of the faces from the rosters have changed. Below you will find a rundown of the players who are sure to have standout seasons on the eight different XFL rosters this year.
10 best players on 2023 XFL rosters
Josh Gordon, Seattle Sea Drgaons wide receiver
Josh Gordon is by far the most accomplished player competing in the 2023 XFL season. He is an NFL veteran who played 10 years in the league and earned All-Pro honors in 2013 when he racked up over 1,600 yards through the air with the Cleveland Browns.
Like many of the NFL veterans in the XFL, injuries and off-the-field troubles forced him out of the top pro football league in the world. At only 31, the veteran of five organizations still has a lot of sand left in his career hourglass and will be looking to prove he deserves to be back in the NFL next season.
Donald Payne, Arlington Renegades linebacker
Donald Payne has been out of the NFL for several years, however, in his final season in the league — 2019 — he was a very solid talent for Jacksonville Jaguars. Posting 61 tackles and a sack in nine games. After being unable to catch on with teams in the following seasons, he took his talents to the USFL in 2022 and dominated. As he earned the most tackles in the other spring pro football league in his debut season. He will be looking to do the same for the Arlington Renegades in 2023.
Vic Beasley, Vegas Vipers, defensive end
Vic Beasley is another talent on the 2023 XFL rosters who’s been in the NFL and done some serious business. The seven-season NFL vet has played for three different teams but did his best work during a five-season run with the Atlanta Falcons. Posting his best season in 2016 when he earned All-Pro honors with 15.5 sacks. He will look to prove the mental hurdles that forced him out of the NFL are a thing of the past in his XFL debut season.
Cody Latimer, Orlando Guardians tight end
Cody Latimer was a player who had a serious upside after being selected with a second-round pick with the Denver Broncos out of Indiana in 2014. However, he never came close to his potential and eventually took his talent to the Giants for two seasons where he was an exceptional special teams talent and backup tight end. The talent is there to be a major impact player for the Orlando Guardians.
Martavis Bryant, Vegas Vipers, wide receiver
Martavis Bryant is another athlete on the XFL rosters who did notable things in the NFL but was his own worst enemy. Before losing an entire season due to a drug suspension, Bryant racked up over 700 yards in just 11 games for the Pittsburgh Steelers. However, after serving his suspension he never took his game to that next level before washing out after 2018.
If his head is right, Bryant can be an explosive weapon for the Vegas Vipers.
AJ McCarron, St. Louis Battlehawks quarterback
AJ McCarron helped Alabama win a national championship in 2015 and will be hoping to do the same for the St. Louis Battlehawks in 2023. While he never came close to the same success in the NFL, he was a solid backup in the league for three teams over six seasons. Racking up 1,173 yards, six touchdowns, and just three interceptions in the action he did see.
Luis Perez, Vegas Vipers quarterback
Luis Perez may be the best quarterback many football fans have ever heard of. He has been a star of spring pro football leagues for years. Competing in the AAF, the USFL, and now the XFL in 2023. He even won the Harlon Hill Trophy — Division II’s version of the Heisman Trophy — before he became a spring football legend.
Sean Davis, Houston Roughnecks cornerback
Houston Roughnecks cornerback Sean Davis played six seasons in the NFL, including two seasons where he made 15 or more starts for the Pittsburgh Steelers. His best season came in 2017 when he had 92 tackles and three interceptions. There is no more established defensive back this season in the XFL.
Trent Harris, Arlington Roughnecks linebacker
Trent Harris played a backup role for three seasons in the NFL with teams like the New York Giants and Miami Dolphins. While he the undrafted talent was unable to make a roster in 2022, he did land on the Roughnecks in the 2023 season of the XFL and made an impact immediately. Showing he is a pass rusher to watch as he racked up four of their seven sacks in the team’s dominant debut win against the Guardians.
Austin Proehl, St. Louis Battlehawks wide receiver
Former North Carolina star Austin Proehl never played a game in the NFL, however, the 26-year-old is the son of 16-year NFL veteran Ricky Proehl. The offspring of the current wide receiver coach has the pedigree and should be as prepared as any player in his position to go in and make some noise.
This is exactly what he did in Week 1 of the XFL in scoring two touchdowns, including the game-winner for the Battlehawks in their game against the Brahmas.