Former Ole Miss QB Jordan Ta'amu Wins XFL Offensive Player Of The Year

While the XFL might not be as glamorous as NFL life, it's a chance for talented players with promising upside to continue their playing careers. Consider it not a "second chance" league, but rather a "different avenue" to success.

Former Ole Miss quarterback Jordan Ta'amu is one of those driving on a different road to keeping his playing career alive. And while his future in the NFL might remain a mystery, his status as one of the great XFL passers is all but secured.

Ta'amu was named the XFL's 2023 Offensive Player of the Year. The former Rebels' star passer led the D.C. Defenders to a 9-1 record and a place in the league championship on Sunday against the Arlington Renegades on Saturday at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas.

Ta'amu finished the regular season third in passing yards (1,894), third in passing touchdowns (14) and threw just three interceptions. His interception total ranked lowest among XFL quarterbacks with more than 150 passing attempts. Ta'amu also finished second among QBs in rushing yards (298 yards) and third in rushing TDs (three).

As an offense, the Defenders ranked No. 1 in scoring (29.6 points per game) and No. 2 in total yards (343.2 yards per game). D.C. finished undefeated at Audi Field and suffered its only loss in Week 7 to the Orlando Guardians.

A two-time standout in the league, Ta'amu initially began his XFL career with the St.Louis Battlehawks in 2020 before the COVID-19 global pandemic. He later joined the Tampa Bay Bandits of the USFL in 2022 before returning to the XFL this offseason.

Ta'amu competed for starting reps with Shea Patterson in 2017 at Ole Miss. He played in seven games and threw for 1,682 yards and 11 touchdowns against four interceptions. Winning the job outright in 2018, he completed 63.5 percent of his throws for 3,918 yards and 19 touchdowns against eight interceptions. Ta'amu also led the Rebels to a 5-7 record.

Undrafted in 2019, Ta'amu has bounced around practice squads with the Houston Texans, Kansas City Chiefs, Detroit Lions, Washington Commanders and Carolina Panthers but has never played in a NFL game. Should his contract not be picked up following the XFL Championship Game, Ta'amu will return to D.C. for the 2024 season.

In two seasons at Ole Miss, Ta'amu threw for 5,600 yards and 30 touchdowns against 12 interceptions while completing 64.5 percent of his throws. He also rushed for 507 yards and 10 TDs.

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