Battlehawks Announce First Wave of Roster Cuts, Bringing Roster to 58

Cut day is never easy and like all UFL teams the Battlehawks go into the week with a roster of 58, after the first wave of releases for the UFL. St. Louis announced the names of 15 players who will no longer be continuing their journey in the UFL for the time being. In addition, to 15 players being released Offensive Tackle Sage Doxtater was transferred to the Injured Reserve List joining Johnny Buchanan, and Jachour Pearson for the time being.

The first waive of cuts have begun for the @XFLBattlehawks

In addition, #76 Sage Doxtater (T, New Mexico State) was transferred to the Injured Reserve List. Per the Comms Director of the team. pic.twitter.com/JJhcSs8QMg

— Pat R (@ByPatRifino) March 10, 2024

Who Was Released?

The Rookie Draft Class:

Kevon Latulas, Kemore Gamble, Marcus Cushnie, Jadrian Taylor, James Bostic, Anthony Witherstone, all were released as the team continues to tread through training camp. Currently only Johnny Buchanan (IR), Callahan O’Reilly, Kemari Averrett, and Darion Chafin are the only members of the Rookie Class still with the team.

Dispersal Draftees:

Dispersal Draftees Jazston Turntine, Anthony Cioffi, John Daka, and Mandy Alonso, were all released. Most notably Cioffi, whose had professional experience in the NFL, CFL, and USFL, seemed to not be enough to crack the Battlehawks final 50.

Some notable #XFL Combine draftees: DB Anthony Cioffi – VGS

• Four seasons at Rutgers from 2013-16: 169 tackles, 13 pass breakups, and eight interceptions.

• Spent time with the Oakland #Raiders as an UDFA in 2017.

• 119 tackles and three interceptions over three-season…

— UFLCenter (@UFLCenter) August 10, 2023

Veteran Free Agent Signings:

Prince Charles Iworah, who was signed during the XFL Combine wave, along with Andrew Mevis, Montrae Braswell, and McKinley Williams who were late signings were all released as well.

The @XFLBattlehawks sign Kicker Andrew Mevis to compete with Andre Szmyt.

Mevis started his college career at Fordham before finishing at Iowa State.

Important to note he is also the older brother of @MizzouFootball Kicker Harrison Mevis.@SSN_ISU | @mevisthekicker |… https://t.co/oxY66QSuhH

— Pat R (@ByPatRifino) January 27, 2024

2023 Team Members:

Christian Olmstead Offensive Lineman, is the only member of the 2023 Battlehawks team to be released so far during training camp. Olmstead was a reserve Offensive Lineman in 2023, was reselected by St. Louis with their final pick of the UFL’s Dispersal Draft.

Closing Thoughts:

With the Battlehawks roster currently at 58, the team will be forced to release some familiar faces (barring injury), in an effort get to 50 players. With the next round of cuts scheduled for March 23rd, “bubble” players will have two more weeks to prove themselves worthy of a roster spot for Anthony Becht’s staff for 2024. The Battlehawks are scheduled to begin their season at Ford Field against the Michigan Panthers on March 30th, with the hopes of making their first playoff berth in franchise history.