Possibly one of the easier position groups to break down especially after cut day, the Battlehawks Tight End room returns a fan favorite in Jake Sutherland and 2023 UDFA Kemari Averett who is set to make his professional debut in 2024.
In 2023 the Battlehawks had utilized many players at the Tight End position, with many of their reserve players having larger roles on other teams. Charlie Taumoepenu (Seattle), Jordan Thomas (Orlando), and Jaylen Smith (Orlando), all saw significant playing time for other teams in the 2023 XFL despite being afterthoughts in St. Louis. Thomas would end up having a stint on the Carolina Panthers Practice Squad as a Linebacker before returning to spring football with the Birmingham Stallions.
Throughout the 2023 season the Battlehawks saw Jovani Haskins and Jake Sutherland taking the majority of reps at the Tight End position for St. Louis. The group recorded 10 receptions for 87 yards and 2 Touchdowns in 2023, with the room mostly being used for their blocking skills rather than dynamic pass catching ability. Going into 2024, only Jake Sutherland has returned to the team with the Battlehawks opting to use Sutherland as an H-Back going into the season.
2024 Roster Moving Forward:
After the initial cuts bringing the roster to 58, the Battlehawks have released Kemore Gamble and James Bostic (a tweener WR/TE) leaving only Two Tight Ends on the roster. As of right now the Battlehawks will utilize Jake Sutherland as the “traditional” Tight End, with Kemari Averett to spread it out a bit.
Jake Sutherland
Sutherland is a spring league veteran through and at this point in his career. Going into his 4th season of professional football since coming out of Morehead State in 2017. Sutherland who’s spent time with the Atlanta Legends, and New York Guardians finally got involved in the passing game a bit more in 2023, scoring his first two career professional Touchdowns. For his career Sutherland has recorded 10 Receptions for 84 Yards over 16 games.
Kemari Averett
Averett began his college career at Louisville from 2018 to 2019 before transferring to Bethune Cookman in 2020. While at Bethune-Cookman Averett totaled 91 Receptions, 1333 yards, and 17 touchdowns while adding an additional 144 yards on 15 receptions at Louisville.
Closing Thoughts:
Traditionally, the Battlehawks have never really utilized the position over the franchises 15 career games. In 2020, Wes Saxton recorded three receptions for 16 yards, with Connor Davis, and Cole Hunt recording no receptions of their own. In 2024, it could be expected to see more of the same from the room, as the Battlehawks improved their Wide Receiver room tremendously, leaving Sutherland and Averrett to more of the dirty work with the men in trenches.
