Three former Sun Devils will be joining the XFL for the 2023 season after the completion of the draft today. LB Merlin Robertson, WR Charles Hall and OL Des Holmes were among the names listed in the press release of the draft.
The XFL has announced the completion of its 2023 XFL Rookie Draft.
Press release: https://t.co/HXB7CpQuZi pic.twitter.com/8KwZ8fgpJc
— XFL Communications Department (@XFL_PR) June 16, 2023
Robertson and Hall will be joining the Arlington Renegades, while Holmes will be playing for the Seattle Sea Dragons.
Merlin Robertson
Robertson, listed at 6-foot-3 and 235 pounds, played all five of his collegiate seasons at ASU. He was a captain of the team the past two seasons and was also named to the preseason Butkus Award list both years. He recorded 83 tackles (third-most on the team), and five tackles-for-loss (most on the team) last season. Robertson played the most career snaps among active FBS linebackers (3,305). He had played in 53 games throughout his five years, accumulating 320 tackles (20.5 for loss), six interceptions and five forced fumbles.
There was a miniscule chance Robinson could be drafted to the NFL, but he ended up going undrafted and later signed with the Washington Commanders for their rookie minicamp. He now gets a chance to prove himself in the XFL.
— Merlin Robertson🇼🇸 (@_Merlin_2) February 1, 2023
Charles Hall
Hall only played in one season at Arizona State after transferring from HBCU Virginia Union University. He appeared in 11 games for the Sun Devils, recording nine receptions for 104 yards, two rushes for 37 yards and one kick return for 16 yards. He was the “only Sun Devil to average double-digit rushing yards per carry and yards per reception,” according to the ASU roster. It also mentions that “his uncle, Troy Vincent, was an NFL draft pick out of Wisconsin, spending over a decade as a corner in the league and currently serving as the Executive Vice President of Football Operations for the NFL.”
Before ASU, Hall was a dual-sport athlete at Virginia Union, as he competed in track and field alongside football. He recorded 66 catches for 1,668 yards and 16 touchdowns in his sophomore and junior seasons at Virginia Union.
Hall will now get a shot to prove himself with the Arlington Renegades.
Des Holmes
Holmes transferred from Penn State to Arizona State as a grad transfer before the start of last season. He started in 10 games for the Sun Devils this season. He appeared in 33 games in four seasons for Penn State, including 11 in 2021 receiving a grade of 87.5 as a pass blocker for the year. He was a highly-touted lineman coming out of high school in Pennsylvania.
Say hello to @des_holmes75. A brand new Sun Devil for 2022 😈
Meet some more of the newcomers here: https://t.co/WRGGDPuOKJ#ForksUp #O2V pic.twitter.com/eLQrCjngb7
— Sun Devil Football (@ASUFootball) August 16, 2022
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Brendan Mau is a college sports insider and general assignment reporter for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on Twitter via @Brendan_Mau
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