The rebooted XFL launched this week with a two-day draft. 3 former Syracuse football players were selected and have earned a 2nd chance.
On Tuesday, the XFL held three phases of their draft. On Wednesday the draft concluded with one positional round and ended with an open draft where any player could be selected.
Several former Syracuse football players were fortunate enough to be chosen.
Specifically three former Orange players were selected by three separate teams in various stages of the draft. Let’s take a look at the Orange players that were selected.
First up veteran offensive lineman Andrew Tiller.
https://twitter.com/XFLVipers/status/1184160934589353984
The first Orange selected was Andrew Tiller in the offensive line phase. Tiller was chosen with the fifth pick of the fourth round by the Tampa Bay Vipers.
Former Chicago Bears head coach Marc Trestman will be the man in charge of the Vipers. Tiller gets his next pro opportunity in Tampa with the XFL.
As Tiller’s NFL career goes, he signed with the New Orleans Saints but was released in the same year. From 2014-2016 Tiller found a home in San Fransisco on the O-line. He played in 28 NFL games with 14 starts for the 49ers.
Now the former Orange offensive lineman takes his NFL skill level to Tampa Bay with the Vipers.
https://twitter.com/XFLDragons/status/1184486400743227392
Next selected was safety Jordan Martin. In the defensive back phase of the draft process, Martin was picked in the 7th round. Martin is headed to Seattle to play for the Dragons.
Martin was a transfer from Toledo and played his grad year of eligibility for Syracuse. In 2017 Martin totaled 25 tackles, three pass deflections, and one fumble in seven games.
Most recently, Martin was a breakout star for the San Diego Fleet of the AAF. That league folded through only eight weeks, but Martin made his mark to receive an offer from the Minnesota Vikings. Once Martin signed with the Vikings, he was released shortly after. However, Martin hopes his time with the Dragons will eventually turn into a new NFL opportunity.
Hell of a haul.#DefendersDraft🛡 pic.twitter.com/nhOB5Ngzlq
— D.C. Defenders (@XFLDefenders) October 16, 2019
The last Syracuse player selected was Jamal Custis. The 6-foot-5 receiver was drafted by the DC Defenders in the open phase of the draft.
Jamal recently played for the Orange in 2018 and was a threat in the receiving game. In his senior season, Custis broke onto the scene and had a big year for Syracuse. Through 13 games, Custis had 906 receiving yards and six touchdowns.
The team leader in receptions helped the Orange have a successful offensive season.
Custis was an undrafted free agent signed by the Kansas City Chiefs. Before the season started, Jamal was released, but now he takes his talents to DC. Custis hopes to make the most of his chance with the Defenders.
Other Syracuse players that declared for the draft were not selected. However, we could see them on XFL rosters at some point this season as undrafted free agent pickups.