Former New Orleans Saints pass rusher Hau’oli Kikaha, a second-round draft pick whose career was derailed by injuries, is still fighting for another shot at playing professionally. Kikaha was one of a list of players who tried out at the XFL Summer Showcase, auditioning for their unnamed Seattle franchise.
Kikaha looked like an immediate hit when he joined the Saints back in 2015, racking up four sacks, five other quarterback hits, and four forced fumbles after a decorated college career. His records still stand for the Washington Huskies. Unfortunately, a third ACL tear and an untimely high-ankle sprain ended his time in New Orleans.
He returned to Washington earlier this year, participating in the schools’ NFL pro day alongside draft prospects at both linebacker and defensive line. Now, Kikaha is turning his ambitions towards the upstart XFL.
“It’s just another challenge, man,” Kikaha said to Christian Caple of The Athletic after the Huskies pro day. “I feel like mentally I was strong enough to bounce back a few times, so what’s one more time? It’s nothing. … I love playing ball, man, and I want to keep playing. It doesn’t matter. I’m going to be playing for another few years at least. That’s how I look at it — ’til the wheels fall off, man.”
The XFL plans to kick off its first season in 2020, with the Seattle franchise playing its games at CenturyLink Field — home of the Seattle Seahawks. Players like Kikaha will probably make up the bulk of the league’s talent pool: former college stars and NFL contributors who weren’t able to stick after poor luck with injuries.
