XFL Roughnecks, Guardians Open Season With 8 HBCU Players

The Houston Roughnecks and Orlando Guardians have eight HBCU alums on their rosters to open the 2023 XFL season.

HOUSTON, Tx - HBCU talent was on the Houston Roughnecks and Orlando Guardian rosters as the "rebooted" XFL debuted Saturday night in Houston.  

Houston fielded two players from HBCUs, wide receiver Justin Smith (Norfolk State) and running back Bryce Alleyne (Delaware State). Both players were listed inactive for the Roughnecks.

Feb 18, 2023; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Roughnecks head coach Wade Phillips hugs Orlando Guardians head coach Terrell Buckley after the Roughnecks defeated the Guardians at TDECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports

The Guardians' head coach Terrell Buckley has six players from HBCU football programs on Orlando's roster. 

Quarterback Deondre Francois (Hampton), running back Jah-Maine Martin (North Carolina A&T), defensive lineman Emmanuel Olenga (Tennessee State), offensive lineman David Moore (Grambling State), defensive back Jalen Spady (Florida A&M), and offensive lineman Jordan Ighofose (Grambling State).

Francois and Olenga were placed on the inactive list prior to the game. Based on Paxton Lynch's and Quinten Dormady's three-interception game performance in Houston, Buckley may want to give Francois a serious look going into their second game versus San Antonio.