XFL 2024: Houston Roughnecks Sign Eight Rookies and Release Fourteen Others
The Houston Roughnecks have kept themselves busy since the rookie draft ended, bidding goodbye to some old faces from 2023 and claiming the rights to more youthful prospects for 2024. The XFL offseason is already in full swing, and it’s evident that the Roughnecks will not waste any time in managing their roster. This article will briefly discuss the players who were removed, followed by an analysis of the new recruits.
Releases
From June 14 to June 25, the Roughnecks discharged fourteen players from their offseason roster. A roster of these players is provided below.
LB Ellis Brooks
LB Duke Ejiofor
OT Shaquille Morris
Facebook Sewo Olonilua.
OT James Stanley
DL Trevon Mason (claimed off waivers by the Orlando Guardians).
CB John Brannon
WR Cedric Byrd
CB Stephen Denmark
CB Alexander Myres
OT Dylan Pasquali
P. Race Porter
WR Ben Putman
CB David Tolentino
While several of these players spent the season on the reserve list or appeared in only a few games, a couple stand out. One of the most shocking exits might be Cedric Byrd, who finished third on the club in receiving yards (262) behind Travels Harris and Deontay Burnett. Race Porter was also an important member of the Roughnecks’ special teams, appearing in all 11 games. Finally, David Tolentino departs the squad after becoming well-known for his appearances in the Player 54 docuseries. Tolentino has been playing in the Indoor Football League (IFL) with the San Diego Strike Force since Houston’s season ended.
Signings
Isaiah Bowser, RB, Central Florida.
During his two years at UCF, Bowser scored 23 touchdowns. Perhaps more astounding is that he accomplished this accomplishment in only 21 games. The former North western transfer just signed with the Buffalo Bills as an undrafted free agent, and he is not the first UCF running back to emerge on Houston’s roster. Last year, the team drafted Adrian Killing with the first pick, but he was moved to the Arlington Renegades before the season began.
Cody Charest, WR, Sam Houston State.
Charest played three seasons with the Sam Houston State Bearkats after transferring from Harvard, catching 131 passes for 1,715 yards and nine touchdowns. His most successful season was in 2021, when he caught 54 catches for 704 yards and five touchdowns. Charest joined the Pittsburgh Stealers as a UDFA.
Christian Ealey, OL at Kentucky Wesleyan.
After transferring from NAIA Kentucky Christian, Ealey played two seasons of Division II football at Kentucky Wesleyan as an offensive tackle. He becomes the second Roughnecks player with Kentucky Wesleyan roots, following rookie draft pick Alijah McGhee, who spent time with the team before transferring to Minnesota State. Ealey most recently participated in the New York Giants’ rookie minicamp.
Dalton Godfrey, LS, South Dakota
Godfrey played for the South Dakota Coyotes for six seasons, eventually earning team captain as a senior. He also received First-Team All-MVFC (Missouri Valley) and Second-Team All-American honours. Godfrey was invited to two NFL rookie minicamps (Las Vegas Raiders and Philadelphia Eagles), and he will likely fight with incumbent long snapper Brian Khoury for a position in 2024.
Braydon Johnson, WR, Oklahoma State
Johnson was renowned for his speed and deep-ball talents after graduating from Oklahoma State, where he made 15 catches of 40 yards or more in five years. He also played on special teams, making 24 kick returns throughout the 2019 and 2020 seasons. Johnson got a UDFA deal with the Buffalo Bills, but was replaced by former St. Louis Battle Hawks wideout Marcell Ataman, who also played at Oklahoma State.
Destin Mack, DB at The Citadel.
Mack completed his five-year career at The Citadel with 182 total tackles, 20 pass deflections, and 9 interceptions. He played 53 collegiate games and was named Second-Team All-Southern Conference in 2021. In addition to his XFL opportunity, Mack was taken in the Philadelphia Stars’ college rights draft.
Nelson Mbanasor (DL, Texas State)
Mbanasor played one season for the Texas State Bobcats after transferring from Texas Tech, where he had played for the previous five years. In his one season (2022), he had 34 total tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, 6 sacks, 3 pass deflections, and 2 forced fumbles. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers signed Mbanasor as an undrafted free agent.