The Penn State Guide to the XFL

Robert Windsor and Shareef Miller are among the former Lions kicking off a new XFL season.

The XFL unveils its rebranded eight-team league this weekend, introducing a third edition of the spring football franchise that promises to be "fast-paced" and "fan-first."

The league begins a 10-week regular season Feb. 18, with games being broadcast on ESPN networks and FX. ESPN+ will stream games as well. The XFL championship game in May will be broadcast on ABC.

The XFL features eight franchises: the Arlington Renegades, D.C. Defenders, Houston Roughnecks, Orlando Guardians, San Antonio Brahmas, Seattle Sea Dragons, St. Louis Battlehawks and Vegas Vipers. Four of those teams feature former Penn State Nittany Lions on their active or reserve rosters.

Here's a look at Penn State in the XFL.

Seattle Sea Dragons

The Sea Dragons lead the XFL with three former Lions, one of whom finished his college career elsewhere. Offensive lineman Michal Menet and linebacker Shareef Miller will represent Penn State along with former defensive lineman Daniel Joseph, who transferred to North Carolina State after three seasons with the Lions.

Arizona drafted Menet in the 2021 seventh round, and the center spent time with the Cardinals and Green Bay. The Eagles drafted Miller, a Philadelphia native, in the 2019 fourth round. Miller played in one game with the Eagles, who waived him in 2020. He then spent time with Carolina, Arizona and Atlanta and last year was drafted by the New Orleans Breakers of the USFL.

Vegas Vipers

Defensive lineman Robert Windsor makes his football return after retiring in 2022. Drafted by the Colts in the 2020 sixth round, Windsor labored through injuries and surgeries that cost him the 2021 season. But in December, Windsor told Penn State broadcaster Steve Jones that he wants to return to the NFL, with the XFL marking his first step.

Vegas' roster also includes running back John Lovett, who transferred to Penn State from Baylor. Lovett played in nine games, with two starts, for the Lions in 2021. He signed with Carolina as an undrafted free agent but was released in October.

D.C. Defenders

Linebacker Ellis Brooks is on the Defenders' reserve list. Brooks led the Lions in tackles in 2021 and 2021, when he finished with 100 and was named second-team All-Big Ten. He declared early for the NFL Draft and signed with the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent. The Packers released Brooks in August.

St. Louis Battlehawks

Offensive lineman Steven Gonzalez continues his football career in the XFL after being a third-round pick of the Battlehawks. Gonzalez, a two-time All-Big Ten pick at Penn State, spent time with Buffalo and Arizona and was part of the 2022 USFL draft pool.

The XFL season kicks off with two games Saturday: Vegas at Arlington and Orlando at Houston. Two more games are scheduled for Sunday: St. Louis at San Antonio and Seattle at D.C.

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AllPennState is the place for Penn State news, opinion and perspective on the SI.com network. Publisher Mark Wogenrich has covered Penn State for more than 20 years, tracking three coaching staffs, three Big Ten titles and a catalog of great stories. Follow him on Twitter @MarkWogenrich. And consider subscribing (button's on the home page) for more great content across the SI.com network.