St. Louis Battlehawks Roster: UFL Dispersal Draft Breakdown
Last season in the XFL, the St. Louis Battlehawks had a strong 7-3 season before missing the playoffs. The team lost AJ McCarron, among other players, in the offseason to the NFL. While some players have returned, St. Louis coach Anthony Becht went to work in the UFL Dispersal Draft.
St. Louis drafted 12 players, with five of them being in the secondary and only one starter returning to the team. Seven of the players taken were with the Seattle Sea Dragons last season.
Here is the full breakdown of the 12 players picked by the St. Louis Battlehawks in the UFL Dispersal Draft.
2024 St. Louis Battlehawks UFL Dispersal Draft Picks
Player Analysis (Former Team):
WR Jahcour Pearson (Seattle Sea Dragons)
One of the XFL’s most electric players, Jahcour Pearson made big play after big play for the high-flying Sea Dragons passing game in 2023. Pearson led the league in receptions (60) and yards (670), while adding four scores. He received multiple workouts during the offseason including the Cleveland Browns, Atlanta Falcons and Indianapolis Colts.
Roster Impact: The combination of Pearson and Hakeem Butler could make them the best WR duo in the UFL. Butler has size and Pearson has speed that will make it difficult for defenses to cover them both.
WR Blake Jackson (Seattle Sea Dragons)
Blake Jackson was overlooked in a powerful Houston Roughnecks offense in 2020 with June Jones as head coach, but excelled with Jones as offensive coordinator of the Sea Dragons in 2023. Jackson finished second on the team in receptions (45), third in yards (440) and scored two touchdowns in 10 games. He caught five passes for 50 yards and one touchdown with the Roughnecks in 2020.
Roster Impact: With Pearson and Butler getting the bulk of the attention, look for Jackson and Steven Mitchell to benefit.
OT Sage Doxtater (Houston Roughnecks)
Sage Doxtater was one of the starters on the offensive line for the Roughnecks holding down the left tackle position. Doxtater started five games for Houston last season but missed five additional games due to injury. He spent time in the NFL with the New Orleans Saints and Arizona Cardinals.
Roster Impact: Battlehawks starting left tackle Jaryd Jones-Smith isn’t on the roster, which could open the door for Doxtater to fill in at the position.
OT Jazston Turnetine (Seattle Sea Dragons)
The Seattle Sea Dragons drafted former Florida State Seminoles offensive tackle Jazston Turnetine in the XFL Rookie Draft last summer. Turnetine started eight of the 13 games he appeared in for Florida State in 2022, mostly at right tackle.
Roster Impact: Nine total offensive linemen are on the St. Louis roster, leaving Turnetine a chance to win a roster spot. He’s versatile in what position he can play and is a younger player the team can develop.
OG Jack Snyder (Houston Roughnecks)
Jack Snyder started on the Roughnecks offensive line starting in nine of the 10 games during the season. He signed with the Minnesota Vikings during the summer before being released and rejoining the Roughnecks.
Roster Impact: Snyder will be competing for a starting job.
C Dohnovan West (Vegas Vipers)
Vegas Vipers had center Dohnovan West starting in all 10 games for the team last season. West was previously on the San Francisco 49ers as an undrafted free agent in 2022.
Roster Impact: West will have to battle with Battlehawks starting center Mike Panasiuk for the center job in training camp.
DT Antwuan Jackson (Seattle Sea Dragons)
Seattle’s run-stopper in the middle of the line, Antwuan Jackson returns after a solid 2023 campaign with the Sea Dragons. Jackson started eight games, recording 20 tackles. He would land in the NFL this past year, getting a short stint with the Carolina Panthers.
Roster Impact: Kevin Atkins started at nose for St. Louis last season so expectations early are Jackson would either compete or back up Atkins in 2024.
DB Anthony Cioffi (Vegas Vipers)
Anthony Cioffi signed with the Vipers in August before the merger happened. Cioffi played for the Tampa Bay Bandits in 2022, recording 36 tackles and one interception. He also spent three seasons in the CFL with the Ottawa Redblacks and BC Lions.
Roster Impact: Cioffi has plenty of experience, and the Battlehawks had a heavy focus on building the secondary after losing multiple key players. He could enter training camp as a favorite to earn a roster spot.
DB Qwynnterrio Cole (Seattle Sea Dragons)
Qwynnterrio Cole was a leader in the secondary for the Sea Dragons in 2023. Cole recorded 48 tackles, which was a team-high, and three interceptions in 10 games. He was in the NFL with the Las Vegas Raiders in 2022.
Roster Impact: With the safety position being light for St. Louis, Cole should be able to jump in and be one of the starters in the secondary.
DB Keylon Kennedy (Vegas Vipers)
Keylon Kennedy started all 10 games for the Vipers in the secondary last season. Kennedy finished fourth on the team in tackles with 40 and added three tackles for loss, two interceptions and one forced fumble.
Roster Impact: Kennedy is another player who can fill in as one of the starting defensive backs for the Battlehawks next season.
DB Chris Payton-Jones (Seattle Sea Dragons)
Chris Payton-Jones started all 10 games for the Sea Dragons last season, recording 20 tackles in 2023. Payton-Jones played for five different teams in five seasons in the NFL, racking up 48 tackles and seven pass deflections.
Roster Impact: St. Louis found a lot of talent in the secondary gaining talent from Vegas and Seattle. Payton-Jones will be competing for a starting job and will get playing time.
DB Mykael Wright (Seattle Sea Dragons)
Mykael Wright was a role player in the secondary for the Sea Dragons last season, recording 12 tackles and a forced fumble. Wright attended rookie minicamp with the Arizona Cardinals in 2022.
Roster Impact: He will most likely be a backup on the Battlehawks, but could play a big role on special teams.
Battlehawks Set For New UFL Season
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Anthony Miller has been covering professional spring football since 2019 including XFL, USFL, and CFL. He was a local news reporter in Texas before transitioning to sports. Other sites he writes for includes College Football Network and NTZ Network.