The field may have been smaller, and the names less familiar, but the vibe at the Seattle XFL franchise’s “Summer Showcase” tryout was very similar to a Seattle Seahawks training camp practice.
The 100 or so players who participated in the showcase were subjected to combine drills, one-on-one competitions and a seven-on-seven scrimmage, all without pads.
Coach Jim Zorn — a longtime Seahawks quarterback and former quarterbacks coach for the team — liked what he saw from the tryout players, many of whom he hopes will be on his roster when the league begins its second iteration in 2020.
“I thought we had great participation and great young men,” Zorn said after the showcase. “Our coaches were able to watch and grade and evaluate some of these young men. The problem for us is these young men get to be looked at by all XFL teams. We can’t handpick guys and hide guys; we have to wait for our guy in the draft.”
Each of the eight XFL teams is hosting a tryout, although information about the players will be shared among all the teams to help keep a competitive balance among the teams.
The league will eventually create a draft pool of players. The draft will be held in mid-October.
Seattle’s tryout included former Huskies quarterback Keith Price, linebacker Diandre Campbell and defensive tackle Alameda Ta’amu — as well as former Washington State linebacker Peyton Pelluer and guard Logan Tago.
The tryout also featured nine players with ties to the Seahawks: linebacker Korey Toomer; safety Ryan Murphy; long snapper Tanner Carew; center J.J. Dielman; corner Mohammed Seisay; linebackers John Lotulelei and Obum Gwacham; defensive end Julius Warmsley; and defensive tackle Tani Tupou.
The XFL will incorporate minor rule changes that will increase the pace of play and limit kicking, which Zorn feels will appeal to fans.
“One of the draws for fans is that we’re going to have a faster game,” Zorn said. “We’re going to have some interesting, intricate rules and different elements in the game to allow the fans to really enjoy the strategy of the game.”
The next step for the franchise is to reveal their color scheme and team name, which is expected to happen sometime in July. Leaguewide, rosters will begin coming together in October. The opening game will be played on Feb. 8, one week after Super Bowl LIV.
