Yesterday the XFL held its rookie draft. A total of eight teams made a combined 79 picks, and out of those 79 only two were for players at the quarterback position.
Drafted at the QB slot was Connor Degenhardt and Lindsey Scott Jr., being selected by the Arlington Renegades and Houston Roughnecks, respectfully.
Both players were participating in NFL rookie mini-camp several weeks ago. Degenhardt was most notable with the defending Super Bowl champions, Kansas City Chiefs, as Scott had his invite come by way of the New York Jets.
Focusing more on Degenhardt, the 24-year-old played for the University of New Haven, after a transfer from Holy Cross.
He originally went into college as an ESPN 3-Star athlete, and was ranked as the 6th best QB in the country for the class of 2017, by Signingday.com.
Degenhardt posted a 59% pass completion, throwing for 2,251 with a 29-5 TD-INT ratio through 11 games in 2022, while also having 6 rushing touchdowns.
Standing at 6-foot-6 the QB1 threw for more than 4,500 yards with 50 touchdown passes to 10 interceptions, while also running things in for 21 touchdowns during his time with New Haven. An 18-5 record over his two year stay was accompanied by multiple playoff appearances and a Northeast-10 title.
Degenhardt’s ability to play at DI and for a highly ranked DII team was contributed by his speed and the ability to make accurate throws from both inside and outside of the pocket.
The XFL draft selection and expected signing makes Degenhardt the first UNH Football player to be selected by a pro football team since Harry Boatswain, who was drafted in 1991 by the San Francisco 49ers. UNH last had an alumni that was signed to a pro-contract in 2017, when Zach Voytek was picked up in free agency by the Buffalo Bills.