The first draft of the XFL is underway and the format is a bit different from what NFL fans are accustomed to. Probably the most significant difference is that each of the 8 teams were assigned a quarterback prior to the start of the draft. Pearl City alum Jordan Ta’amu (Ole Miss 2017-2018) was assigned to the St. Louis Battlehawks while June Jones’ Houston Roughnecks received Temple University’s four-year letter winner Phillip Walker (2013-2016).

The draft consists of five separates phases.  Phases 1-4 go for 10 rounds each and phase 5 continues until each team fills out its 71-man roster.

Phase 1 — skill players (QB, RB, WR, TE)
Phase 2 — offensive line (OT, G, C)
Phase 3 — defensive front seven (DL, LB)
Phase 4 — secondary (CB, S)
Phase 5 — open draft (all remaining players, including P/K/LS)
Teams have 90 seconds between selections.

Former University of Hawai’i players in this draft are RB Ka’imi Chung, OG Dejon Allen, DE Meffy Koloamatangi, and LS Noah Borden.  After completion of the first three phases, Dejon Allen was the only Rainbow Warrior drafted, going in the 10th round of phase 2 to the St. Louis Battlehawks. Allen (6’3″, 304 lbs) was signed by the Chicago Bears in 2018 out of Hawaii and then signed with Green Bay this past August before being released.

June Jones’ Houston Roughnecks through the first three phases (listed in order of selection):