XFL Roughnecks, Guardians Open Season With 8 HBCU Players

The Houston Roughnecks and Orlando Guardians have eight HBCU alums on their rosters to open the 2023 XFL season.

Kyle T. Mosley | Feb 19, 2023

XFL Roughnecks, Guardians Open Season With 8 HBCU Players /

HOUSTON, Tx - HBCU talent was on the Houston Roughnecks and Orlando Guardian rosters as the "rebooted" XFL debuted Saturday night in Houston.

Houston fielded two players from HBCUs, wide receiver Justin Smith (Norfolk State) and running back Bryce Alleyne (Delaware State). Both players were listed inactive for the Roughnecks.

Feb 18, 2023; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Roughnecks head coach Wade Phillips hugs Orlando Guardians head coach Terrell Buckley after the Roughnecks defeated the Guardians at TDECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports

The Guardians' head coach Terrell Buckley has six players from HBCU football programs on Orlando's roster.

Quarterback Deondre Francois (Hampton), running back Jah-Maine Martin (North Carolina A&T), defensive lineman Emmanuel Olenga (Tennessee State), offensive lineman David Moore (Grambling State), defensive back Jalen Spady (Florida A&M), and offensive lineman Jordan Ighofose (Grambling State).

Francois and Olenga were placed on the inactive list prior to the game. Based on Paxton Lynch's and Quinten Dormady's three-interception game performance in Houston, Buckley may want to give Francois a serious look going into their second game versus San Antonio.

Published Feb 19, 2023

KYLE T. MOSLEY

I am Kyle T. Mosley, the Founder, Managing Editor, and Chief Reporter for the HBCU Legends, Saints News Network, and Pelicans Scoop on FanNation a Sports Illustrated team channel since October 2019. Morehouse Alum, McDonogh #35 Roneagles (NOLA), Drum Major of the Tenacious Four. My Father, Mother, Grandmother, Aunts and Uncles were HBCU graduates! Host of "Blow the Whistle" HBCU Legends, "The Quad" with Coach Steward, and "Bayou Blitz" Podcasts. Radio/Media Appearances: WWL AM/FM Radio in New Orleans (Mike Detillier/Bobby Hebert), KCOH AM 1230 in Houston (Ralph Cooper), WBOK AM in New Orleans (Reggie Flood/Ro Brown), and 103.7FM "The Game" (Jordy Hultberg/Clint Domingue), College Kickoff Unlimited (Emory Hunt), Jeff Lightsly Show, and Offscript TV on YouTube. Television Appearance: Fox26 in Houston on The Isiah Carey Factor, College Kickoff Unlimited (Emory Hunt). My Notable Interviews: Byron Allen (Media Mogul), Deion Sanders (Jackson State University, Head Coach), Tomekia Reed (Jackson State Lady Tigers Basketball Coach), Taylor Rooks (NBA Reporter), Swin Cash (VP of Basketball - New Orlean Pelicans), Demario and Tamala Davis (NFL Player), Jerry Rice (Hall of Famer), Doug Williams (HBCU & NFL Legend), Emmitt Smith (Hall of Famer), James "Shack" Harris (HBCU & NFL Legend), Cris Carter (Hall of Famer), Solomon Wilcots (SiriusXM NFL Host), Steve Wyche (NFL Network), Jim Trotter (NFL Network), Travis Williams (Founder of HBCU All-Stars, LLC), Malcolm Jenkins (NFL Player), Cam Jordan (NFL), Demario Davis (NFL), Allan Houston (NBA All-Star), Drew Brees (Former NFL QB), Deuce McAllister (Former NFL RB), Willie Roaf (NFL Hall of Fame), Jim Everett (Former NFL Player), Quinn Early (Former NFL Player), Dr. Reef (NFL Players' Trainer Specialist), Nataria Holloway (VP of the NFL). I am building a new team of journalists, podcasters, videographers, and interns. For media requests, interviews, or interest in joining HBCU Legends, please contact me at kmosley@hbcusi.com. Follow me: