A half dozen Gators on XFL teams as league launches this weekend
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The XFL returns this weekend with the start of the 2023 season, and a total of half dozen Gators are on three of the eight teams.
The in-state Orlando Guardians have a trio of Florida players in safety Matt Elam, running back Kelvin Taylor and punter Johnny Townsend. Elam, a former first-round pick, last played for the CFL’s Edmonton Elks in 2022, Townsend was with the Tennessee Titans twice in 2021 (along with the Chiefs and Texans) and Taylor spent time with the Orlando Apollos in 2019.
The Arlington Renegades are coached former UF defensive coordinator Bob Stoops with Gators safety Will Hill on the team. Hill, like Elam, played in the XFL during its shortened 2020 season and was with the Apollos the year before.
The DC Defenders roster includes Florida receiver Josh Hammond, who was a member of the Eagles and Patriots practice squads in 2022. The XFL also features former UF coach Ron Zook, who is the defensive coordinator for the Seattle Sea Dragons.
The XFL was rebooted by Vince McMahon but after only five weeks of play in its inaugural 2020 season, the year was over due to COVID-19 and the league filed for bankruptcy on April 13. The XFL was purchased for $15 million by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and business partner Dany Garcia.
Here is the XFL schedule for opening weekend:
| Vegas Vipers | @ | Arlington Renegades | Saturday, February 18 3:00PM ET | ABC | Find Tickets |
| Orlando Guardians | @ | Houston Roughnecks | Saturday, February 18 8:30PM ET | ESPN / FX | Find Tickets |
| St. Louis Battlehawks | @ | San Antonio Brahmas | Sunday, February 19 3:00PM ET | ABC | Find Tickets |
| Seattle Sea Dragons | @ | D.C. Defenders | Sunday, February 19 8:00PM ET | ESPN | Find Tickets |
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![Florida Gators head coach Billy Napier celebrates with Florida Gators wide receiver Aidan Mizell (11) after a touchdown during the first half at the Orange and Blue spring football game at Steve Spurrier Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, April 13, 2024. [Matt Pendleton/Gainesville Sun]](https://on3static.com/cdn-cgi/image/height=215,width=393,quality=90,fit=cover,gravity=0.5x0.5/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2024/04/13155133/Untitled-design-65-2.png)