XFL’s Roughnecks land QBs Walker, Cook
Quarterback Phillip Walker, who spent parts of two seasons on the Indianapolis Colts’ practice squad, was assigned to the Houston Roughnecks on Tuesday as XFL announced assigned quarterbacks for each of its eight teams and also conducted the first day of a two-day league draft.
Walker, who played four years at Temple and is the school’s leader in most passing categories, led the Owls to an American Athletic Conference championship in 2016. He was on the Colts’ practice squad in 2017 and for most of the 2018 season. He was released from the Colts’ practice squad prior to the 2018 season opener.
The quarterbacks allotments were announced before the XFL held the first day of its draft. Each of the eight teams selected 10 players in each of three segments — skill players, offensive linemen and defensive seven.
The draft continues Wednesday with a 30round open segment in which teams can select players at any position.
QB Connor Cook, who made his NFL debut as a starter with the Raiders in a January 2017 playoff game against the Texans, is headed to Houston as the first player selected in the skill position draft. Cook, a three-year starter at Michigan State who in addition to his time with the Raiders was on the Panthers’ and Bengals’ practice squads.
Cornelius Edison, who spent time with the Bears, Falcons and Vikings, was the first offensive lineman selected by the Roughnecks. Defensive lineman Trenton Thompson, who played in the Alliance of American Football, the Arena Football League and the CFL, was the first defensive front seven player picked by Houston.
The Roughnecks’ draft list included former Texas college players in running back Kyle Hicks (TCU), offensive tackle Avery Gennesy (Texas A&M), center Patrick Lewis (Texas A&M) and offensive tackle Tayo Fabuluje (TCU).
The Roughnecks, who will play games at TDECU Stadium, are one of eight teams that will begin play next February in the XFL, which is owned by World Wrestling Entertainment chairman Vince McMahon.
The other seven assigned quarterbacks were Landry Jones, Dallas Renegades; Cardale Jones, DC Defenders; Luis Perez, Los Angeles Wildcats; Matt McGloin, New York Guardians; Jordan Ta’amu, St. Louis Battlehawks; Brandon Silvers, Seattle Dragons; and Aaron Murray, Tampa Bay Vipers.