Former Kentucky WR Jeff Badet shines in XFL season opener
Jeff Badet was a class of 2013 signee who was a member of the first recruiting class at Kentucky for Mark Stoops. The Central Florida native would spend four seasons in Lexington highlighted by a strong redshirt junior campaign in 2016.
Under first-year offensive coordinator Eddie Gran, Badet became a vertical field stretcher for Kentucky’s run-heavy offense. That unit was propelled by Badet’s explosive playmaking skillset. The former mid three-star recruit recorded 31 receptions for a team-high 670 receiving yards and four touchdowns on 21.6 yards per catch. Badet also served as the team’s primary kickoff return specialist becoming a critical part of the UK offense.
The Orlando (Fla.) Freedom product would leave the program after the season spending one year at Oklahoma in 2017. Badet was on the 12-2 Oklahoma team that went to the College Football Playoff in Lincoln Riley’s first season as a head coach.
From there, Badet went undrafted in the 2018 NFL Draft but is still playing professional football. Badet was a practice squad member of the Minnesota Vikings (2018-19), Washington Commanders (2020), and Las Vegas Raiders (2021). However, the speedy receiver is still looking for a long-term NFL home. To get there, Badet is using the XFL.
The minor league football organization was founded by Vince McMahon and is current owned by The Rock and a few others. After seeing their start-up year paused in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the league is up and running again in 2023.
Jeff Badet was selected by the Vegas Vipers in the 2023 XFL Draft. The wideout had an impressive season debut in a 22-20 loss to the Arlington Renegades.
Badet finished the game with six receptions for 81 yards and two touchdowns. The former Kentucky wide receiver had one of the best individual performances of the opening weekend for the XFL. The new league will play a 10-game schedule with no bye weeks before a four-team playoff ends with the XFL Championship on May 13.
Football season officially never ends now. Jeff Badet will get some attention moving forward as the 28-year-old is working on getting another chance to stick in the NFL.
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