Daryl Johnston Officially Named President Of The USFL
NewsUFLUSFLXFL

Daryl Johnston Says the UFL Will Bring Back “XFL Style” Kickoff

·

When the USFL and XFL merged one of the rule compromises was that the UFL would adopt the USFL’s kickoff. Coincidently, the same year, the NFL had taken the XFL kickoff to the mainstream.

With one season behind them, it looks as if the United Football League is ready to bring the XFL style kickoff back.

Daryl ‘Moose’ Johnston has been making the rounds during Super Bowl radio row, and he’s been making sure to tell the world about the UFL. During a stop with Grant & Danny (106.7 The Fan), Moose discussed the change in mind around the kickoff.

Johnston admits he’s still not a huge fan of the XFL style of kickoff, but acknowledges that the NFL’s adoption goes a long way.

If the NFL is gonna embrace this kickoff, then it doesn’t make sense for us to have our guys doing something they won’t be doing at the NFL level”

See also

Under the new ruleset, the return team will have at least nine blockers lined up in the “set up zone” between the 30- and 35-yard line, with at least seven of those players touching the 35. There would be up to two returners allowed inside the 20.

Only the kicker and two returners would be allowed to move until the ball hits the ground or is touched by a returner inside the 20.

Any kick that reaches the end zone in the air can be returned, or the receiving team can opt for a touchback and possession at the 30. Any kick that reaches the end zone in the air and goes out of bounds or out of the end zone also would result in a touchback at the 30.

If a ball hits a returner or the ground before the end zone and goes into the end zone, a touchback would be at the 20 or the play could be returned. Any kick received in the field of play would have to be returned.

As we mentioned, Johnston is making a lot of appearances during Super Bowl week, so we wouldn’t be surprised to hear more news regarding the UFL.

Which kickoff style do you prefer? Let us know your thoughts down in the comments below or join the conversation on Discord.

XFL, USFL, UFL, CFL Retro Jerseys, Shirts, Hats & more
Tags


Donate with Bitcoin: 35fTY13yB4PoArms4KgCKRwdHvDP9QKfka
The REF
Stephan Rachuk
Owner/Editor Pro Football Newsroom
Originally from Detroit, I grew up a Lions fan, which has now led me on a lifetime journey to find better football. I'm now living in the greater Houston area and I am one of the few journalists covering spring football. Contact: [email protected]
Related

3 Comments

  1. That’s a bummer, the tradional kickoff was the better of the two. It’s not a safety issue, that’s always been an NFL crock, to appear to care about concussions. As DJ stated in 2024, no injury differences between the two. USFL / Old NFL style was always the more entertaining of the two. It is what it is.

    Reply

  2. It’s funny. I like the USFL/old style better. As Darryl Johnston says, it passes the sniff test better. I actually thought there would be a difference in injuries. In the USFL version the kick coverage is running full speed for the length of the play whereas the XFL is about 20 yards or less. Having played kick coverage in high school I would think there is a difference in injuries. That stated I have never done an injury comparison, so if what are saying is true and statistically there is no difference then that ruins my thought about the UFL having a limited roster whereby starters play on special team and it would be a shame to lose a starter on special. Also, since the NFL uses it, it would make the UFL does as well as players trying to make it in the NFL. With that said, the option for a one point kick should also be back this year. Kickers need experience with kicking an extra point and we have the need to see 7s on the board. I will miss the surprise onside kick. It’s extinction is a bit sad.

    Reply

    1. Yes VP DJ definitely state that in 2024 for their reasons on choosing USFL style k/o vs XFL style was its was more exciting, traditional and there were no differences in injuries between the leagues.

      The traditional KO is more exciting and makes the UFL look tougher than NFL. I wonder how the change was determined and who really pushed it and why.

      Reply

Leave a Reply