Locals In The XFL: 2023 Week One Recap
Feb 20, 2023, 5:00 PM | Updated: Feb 25, 2023, 5:58 pm
Tomasi Laulile #48 of the Arlington Renegades runs with the ball after recovering a fumble during the second half against the Vegas Vipers at Choctaw Stadium on February 18, 2023 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images)
(Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – Multiple players with ties to the state of Utah participated in the XFL’s reboot that kicked off its 2023 season on Saturday, February 18.
Here is how the local players performed during the first week of the 2023 XFL season:
— XFL (@XFL2023) February 20, 2023
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Locals Players in the XFL
Former Utah Utes
Francis Bernard – Linebacker – D.C. Defenders (1-0)
The former Utah linebacker had 4.5 total tackles, four solo tackles, and one tackle for loss in D.C.’s 22-18 win over the Seattle Sea Dragons on Sunday, February 19.
Next Game: @ Vegas Vipers on Saturday, February 25 at 5 p.m. (MDT) on FX/ESPN+
Pita Taumoepenu – Linebacker – Vegas Vipers (0-1)
The former Utah linebacker had one tackle in Vegas’ 22-20 loss to the Arlington Renegades on Saturday, February 18.
Next Game: vs. D.C. Defenders on Saturday, February 25 at 5 p.m. (MDT) on FX/ESPN+
Former BYU Cougars
Tomasi Laulile – Defensive Lineman – Arlington Renegades (1-0)
The former BYU defensive lineman had one tackle, one interception, and one touchdown in Arlington’s 22-20 win over the Vegas Vipers on Saturday, February 18.
Next Game: @ Houston Roughnecks on Sunday, February 26 at 5 p.m. (MDT) on ESPN2/ESPN+
Former @BYUfootball standout Tomasi Laulile balled out in the @XFLRenegades' @XFL2023 opener. 🤙#LocalsInTheXFL #XFL #XFLRenegades #XFL2023 #BYU #GoCougs #BYUFOOTBALL https://t.co/s6N7nd2o6r
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) February 18, 2023
Tejan Koroma – Offensive Lineman – Seattle Sea Dragons (0-1)
The former BYU center and the Sea Dragons suffered a 22-18 loss to the D.C. Defenders on Sunday, February 19.
Next Game: vs. St. Louis Battlehawks on Thursday, February 23 at 7 p.m. (MDT) on FX/ESPN+
Former Utah State Aggies
Marwin Evans – Defensive Back – Vegas Vipers (0-1)
The former Utah State defensive back had five total tackles and four solo tackles in Vegas’ 22-20 loss to the Arlington Renegades on Saturday, February 18.
Next Game: vs. D.C. Defenders on Saturday, February 25 at 5 p.m. (MDT) on FX/ESPN+
2023 XFL Teams
North Division
- D.C. Defenders
- Seattle Sea Dragons
- St. Louis Battlehawks
- Vegas Vipers
South Division
- Arlington Renegades
- Houston Roughnecks
- Orlando Guardians
- San Antonio Brahmas
About the XFL
In April 2020, the XFL suspended league operations and terminated its employees amid the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
A total of 12 former college football players from the state of Utah were on active 52-man rosters in the eight-team league. Along with the 12 players, former BYU and Utah offensive coordinator Norm Chow was the offensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Wildcats.
In 2019, another football league, the American Alliance of Football, folded before the completion of its inaugural season.
After the XFL suspended operations, new ownership purchased the league. The group is led by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.
Kyle Ireland is a Locals in the NFL Insider for sports.ksl.com and co-host of the Yards After College Podcast. Follow him on Twitter (@kyleireland) and Instagram (@kyleirelandksl).
