The St. Louis Battlehawks will open the 2023 XFL season on February 19. (Photo courtesy: XFL.com)
Steven Millbrook
Staff Writer
The St. Louis Battlehawks added ten more players to its roster on Friday, via the NFL Alumni Academy draft. While the Alumni Academy draftees are not guaranteed a spot for their specific team, they are allotted an opportunity to work out with the team in effort to showcase their skillset.
With the addition of the 10 new players, the Battlehawks’ roster sits at 77 players.
Offensive Additions:
The Battlehawks added four wide receivers, a running back, and an offensive lineman. St. Louis clearly wanted to load up on receiver talent by bringing in Bryce Nunnelly, Hezekiah Grimsley, A.J. Greene, Caleb Vander Esch, while also adding Kareem Walker, and OT Jovaun Woolford.
Many of these players are getting their first taste of pro-football experience as most players have just been a part of NFL mini camps.
Defensive Additions:
On the defensive side of the ball the Battlehawks added three DBs and a linebacker. Due to the recent departure of Channing Stribling to the USFL’s Philadelphia Stars and Emeke Egbule signing to the Pittsburgh Steelers’ practice squad, the Battlehawks took a proactive approach in replacing two high caliber players.
St. Louis added Linebacker Marvin Moody, and Defensive Backs Brendon White, Kishawn Walker, Jakoby Pappillion. Walker and White have worked out for multiple NFL teams, while the rest of the defensive draftees have had limited NFL interest.
Moving Forward:
While originally it appeared that Alumni Academy teams would be automatically given XFL roster spots, it appear the entity will act as the XFL 3.0’s, Team 9 for 2023. With a pool of players hungry for an opportunity, the XFL is in prime position to have a talent pool ready to go if an injury arises during the 2023 season.
| St. Louis Battlehawks 2023 XFL Football Schedule |
| Sun., February 19 — at San Antonio Brahmas — 2 pm (ABC) |
| Thu., February 23 — at Seattle Sea Dragons — 8 pm (FX) |
| Sun., March 5 — at D.C. Defenders — 12 pm (FX) |
| Sun., March 12 — vs. Arlington Renegades — 3 pm (ESPN2) |
| Sat., March 18 — vs. D.C. Defenders — 6 pm (FX) |
| Sat., March 25 — at Vegas Vipers — 6 pm (FX) |
| Sat., April 1 — at Houston Roughnecks — 2 pm (ESPN2) |
| Sat., April 8 — vs. Vegas Vipers — 12 pm (ESPN) |
| Sun., April 16 — vs. Seattle Sea Dragons — 2 pm (ESPN) |
| Sat., April 22 — vs. Orlando Guardians — 11 am (ESPN) |
| All Battlehawks home games will be played at The Dome in downtown St. Louis. |