San Antonio Brahmas Acquire Rights To Six XFL Prospects | Robert Barnes
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San Antonio Brahmas Acquire Rights To Six XFL Prospects

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The XFL held a rights draft this week, featuring mostly players who were in the Combine, or the showcases which took place this summer.

During the event, seven teams opted to draft at least one player, with Seattle being the lone team to not do so.

The San Antonio Brahmas selected six players, so let’s take a look at each prospect and what they could bring to the organization.

QB TJ Edwards | Indianapolis

TJ Edwards is an exciting prospect for San Antonio. The team is in need of quarterbacks, having released Jawon Pass recently. Additionally, Reid Sinnett is now in the NFL. While they currently retain Jack Coan, TJ Edwards could prove to be a valuable addition.

Edwards began his college career at Southwest Baptist. From there, he transferred to the University of Indianapolis for his final season, and excelled. He threw for 2,392 yards and 23 touchdowns, tossing only four interceptions. His performance earned Edwards 2019 All-GLVC Third Team honors.

TJ can do more than just throw. In 2019, he ran for 407 yards and seven touchdowns – averaging 5.1 YPC. Something the Brahmas missed in 2023 was a consistently mobile quarterback. Edwards could provide the team with exactly that.

Most recently, Edwards played in the Indoor Football League for the Frisco Fighters. He was unstoppable, leading Frisco to a 14-2 record. He threw for 39 touchdowns – and rushed for 49, which is remarkable. His efforts earned himself the MVP award for the 2023 season. Edwards is someone to closely watch in Training Camp.

RB Marcus Cooper | Incarnate Word

Marcus Cooper had a decorated career at Incarnate Word, and brings physicality and speed to the Brahmas backfield.

Cooper had an outstanding season in 2022, rushing for 1,436 yards and twelve touchdowns in just 14 games. He averaged 6.8 YPC, while posting an average of 102 rushing yards per game.

At 5’8” and 184 lbs., he’s on the smaller side for a back – but don’t let that fool you. His explosiveness is what makes him into a playmaker, something that became a staple of his career at Incarnate Word.

The Seattle Seahawks signed Cooper as an UDFA in April, but has another opportunity now with San Antonio.

OL/DL Blaine Hoover | Incarnate Word

While the XFL classified Blaine as an offensive lineman, Hoover is in fact a defensive lineman. He also played at Incarnate Word, for two seasons. From 2020-2021, Blaine racked up 47 tackles, 4.5 TFL, and three sacks.

Blaine Hoover then transferred to Tarleton State for his final season, and was excellent. He compiled 43 tackles, 5.5 TFL, and two sacks in 11 games.

Hoover is a HUB Football Camp product, having been in the program over the past year. He also had an opportunity with the San Francisco 49ers, landing a workout. Now, he’ll have an opportunity to join the San Antonio Brahmas for 2024, potentially as an offensive lineman. At the combine, Blaine was part of the OL group.

LB Michael Kennedy | Northern Illinois

Michael Kennedy is a linebacker from Northern Illinois, looking to prove himself at the professional level. He’s had a couple of opportunities this year, signing briefly with the CFL’s Montreal Alouettes. Kennedy also played one game for the IFL’s Green Bay Blizzard. In April, he appeared at a local prospect event for the Chicago Bears.

At Northern Illinois, Michael came into his own during his final two seasons. From 2021-2022, Kennedy registered 76 tackles, 10.5 TFL, and 6.5 sacks. San Antonio has an excellent defense, featuring some stout linebackers already. Kennedy could certainly provide depth at the position, no doubt.

See also

LB Robert Barnes | Colorado

Speaking of linebackers, Robert Barnes was also selected by the San Antonio Brahmas. He’s got a knack for making plays, serving the Colorado Buffaloes with toughness and physicality as an inside linebacker for the past two seasons.

Through 2021-2022, Barnes posted 77 tackles, 5.5 TFL, 0.5 sacks, and an interception for Colorado. Before transferring to Colorado, he played at Oklahoma, seeing time at both linebacker and safety.

Robert Barnes was invited to the Seattle Seahawks mini-camp this spring. Now, he’ll look to re-write his professional story with the Brahmas.

DB Trey Morrison | North Carolina

Trey Morrison is an exciting defensive prospect out of Oklahoma/North Carolina. In four years at North Carolina, he registered:

163 tackles
10 TFL
3 sacks
2 INT
17 PD

At 5’9” and weighing in at 190, Trey is on the smaller side for a DB. That being said, his overall skills at the position allow him to see quite a bit of success.

Morrison has had NFL interest, most recently with the Atlanta Falcons. He is currently on the team’s radar. For now, he’s heading to the XFL, with the San Antonio Brahmas.

Final Thoughts

Generally speaking, the San Antonio Brahmas did an excellent job selecting prospects that fill necessary roles. Quarterback and running back are two positions that need depth, so Cooper and Edwards provide exactly that. Meanwhile, the defense is making moves as well. Having lost DL Matthew Gotel to the NFL, Hoover could be a replacement.

Hines Ward and San Antonio need to make some improvements, plain and simple. The team went 3-7 in 2023, struggling to find much of a rhythm at all, especially on the offensive end.

Ultimately, we’ll have to wait and see if all six players sign when it’s time to report to Training Camp. If they opt in, then Brahmas fans can expect to see them with their San Antonio team.

What are your thoughts on the San Antonio Brahmas selecting these six players? Which XFL prospect are you most excited about? Let us know down in the comments below, or join the conversation on Discord!