For fans already jonesing for pro football action, the XFL season begins Saturday, Feb. 8.
Here are five, whether they fared well in college or showed glimpses in the NFL, players that will ring a bell:
Landry Jones, QB, Dallas Renegades
(Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports)
Jones, a former star at Oklahoma under Renegades head coach Bob Stoops, was the first player to sign with the XFL. Jones, the former backup to Ben Roethlisberger in Pittsburgh, will likely miss the season’s first four to six weeks with a knee injury suffered earlier this month.
Andre Williams, RB, Houston Roughnecks
Williams, the 2013 Heisman Trophy finalist after a great season for Boston College, ran for 978 yards and eight touchdowns in 32 games for the Giants in 2014-15.
Nick Novak, K, Los Angeles Wildcats
Novak began his NFL career in 2005 and kicked for Washington, Arizona, Kansas City, San Diego, Houston and rejoined the Chargers in 2017. Novak made 82 percent of his 222 field-goal attempts during his 10-year NFL career.
Terrance Williams, WR, St. Louis BattleHawks
Williams played six seasons with the Cowboys and had 232 receptions, 3,377 yards and 20 TDs and should be a solid threat in the XFL.
Cardale Jones, QB, DC Defenders
Most will remember Jones for his up-and-down career with Ohio State and then not finding his footing in Buffalo after the Bills drafted him in the fourth round of the 2016 draft. He played only one game with Buffalo and never saw any action with the Chargers, but he’s also only 27 years old so he has a second chance to prove himself.
