After weeks maybe even months of speculation, Jordan Ta’amu is leaving the USFL’s Memphis Showboats for the XFL’s DC Defenders. First leaked by Coach Kaiss the DC Defenders Offensive Coordinator on a picture via Instagram, XFL News Hub Reporter Mike Mitchell, was the first to report that Ta’amu’s new team.
The news of Ta’amu’s departure should not surprise anyone. Reports of him wanting to depart have been circling around between insiders, and fans of the USFL and XFL dating back to July. Upon the Memphis Showboats being reintroduced to return in Memphis on November 15th, many were a bit confused upon Brady White being introduced as the starting Quarterback for the newest addition of the XFL and Ta’amu nowhere to be found.
Ta’amu was also seen in Arlington training with Jordan Palmer’s other XFL QB’s prior to his allocation to the Defenders. The former Ole-Miss Quarterback departs the USFL after leading the Bandits to a 4-6 record in which he led the league in Passing Yards (2,014) and Touchdowns (14). Ta’amu also had the innate ability to show his skillset off as a rusher as he led the Bandits with 365 yards on the ground.
Ta’amu goes in the XFL 3.0, with 15 starts under his belt, in which he’s totaled over 3,000 Passing Yards and 19 Passing Touchdowns. His statistical accolades put him as a Top-5 QB in many passing categories of Quarterbacks from the XFL 1.0/2.0, AAF, USFL, UFL and 2021 Spring League. Coupled with his ability to contribute in the running game (Ta’amu was a top-10 rusher in the XFL and USFL), the Defenders quarterback room consisting of Eric Dungey and D’Eriq King is easily the most athletic in the XFL.
For the Showboats they now have Guy Myers and Brady White as the only Quarterbacks on their roster. They also have now “lost” seven players to the XFL in the New Year, between the Supplemental draft and Ta’amu’s allocation. As of right now 61 former USFL players have now jumped to the XFL with 43 of them coming over the past four days. With players reporting to the XFL today, USFL teams should be able to gauge their rosters slightly better in hopes of building their championship team. Currently the Showboats roster sits at 62.
4th&long
January 5, 2023 at 2:23 pm
Patrick,
No surprise, but as you report now official. Do you have any reasons for his decision? Purely better $$$? Did they think XFL was better exposure? I wonder how the XFL schedule release would impact that.
Another question – what about Paxton Lynch and Shea Patterson – I don’t see them on USFL roster site. Are they gone or in negotiation?
Thanks and keep up the articles…
4th&long
Ken Granito
January 5, 2023 at 2:42 pm
Well I M happy for your compatriot, Mark. I think this is good news for him. I was hoping Jordan Ta’amu would see the beauty of living where he plays to get the true feel of being part of a team and playing in Memphis. That stated he really needs to do what be feels comfortable with. I am glad he made a decision and I hope for him it was clear cut. It also gives the Showboats an opportunity to move on from him now that it is clear. They are on the clock, but there is plenty of time and opportunities.