The XFL kicks off today. The league was on the brink of folding after the Covid pandemic but Dwayne Johnson (The Rock) and his ex-wife Dani Garcia bought the league from former WWE owner Vince McMahon.

After two years of planning, the re-imagined league is back and there are plenty of players in the league with local college football ties.

Five former Boston College Eagles are currently on XFL rosters. Linebacker Isaiah Graham-Mobley plays with the Arlington Renegades. Former Jacksonville State and Eagles tight end Trae Barry plays with the D.C Defenders. Everett’s Lukas Denis who played with the IFL’s Massachusetts Pirates in recent years plays for the St. Louis Battlehawks along with former Eagles teammate and fellow defensive back Brandon Sebastian. Defensive end Max Roberts plays with the Vegas Vipers.

Former Stonehill wide receiver Andrew Jamiel plays for the Orlando Guardians. Jamiel is the ideal slot receiver. He has great hands and is one of the best route runners in the XFL. Former UMass defensive end Da’Sean Downey plays for the San Antonio Brahmas while former All-Ivy League defensive end Niko Lalos, from Dartmouth plays for the Seattle Sea Dragons. Lalos has gone to camp with the Giants previously and played in the pre-season with them.

Finally, former Maine Black Bear and Super Bowl Champion with the Los Angeles Rams, Jamil Demby plays with the Vegas Vipers. The offensive lineman can play guard or tackle for Vegas.

Both the XFL and the USFL give players who want to play professionally the opportunity to pursue their dream and possibly play in the NFL someday. All of the players who played their college ball locally deserve the opportunity to show what they can do. Hopefully they get it.