Tag Archives: dc defenders

CFL, usfl, XFL

Rogers, Eli

Topps XFL 2020, #122

CARD: Topps XFL 2020
ACQUIRED: IP 2023, San Antonio Brahmas v Orlando Guardians

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • Eli Rogers played WR for Louisville from 2011-14.
  • Consistent and dependable, Rogers never failed to catch less than 41 passes every year.
  • Over his 4 years with the school he posted 176 receptions for 2020 yards and 12 TDs.
  • He also moonlighted on punt returns, with 29 career returns for 248 yards.
  • He spent the entire 2015 campaign on IR with the Steelers after signing as an UDFA.
  • Earning the final (5th) WR spot with the Steelers that year, he ended up starting 8 games, recording 48 receptions for 594 yards and 3 TDs.
  • 24 of his receptions went for first downs.
  • With an increasingly crowded WR room and an ACL injury, Rogers saw his playtime decrease over the next two seasons.
  • After being cut in August of 2019, he’d find his way to the XFL 2020 as a selection of the DC Defenders.
  • He’d catch 19 passes for 164 yards.
  • After bouncing around between the Montreal Alouettes (2021), and the Bandits (2022), Eli was a first round pick of the Orlando Guardians in 2023.
  • Despite the franchise’s early on QB woes, Eli posted 20 catches for 173 yards and a TD.

NOTES:

Eli was one of the first players out onto the field for the Guardians, as he serves as a return man for the Guardians. I moved to this really sweet spot that puts me in earshot of the players. I called out his name and he saw me with my card and pen and flashed a smile. After warm-ups finished and the players started returning to the locker rooms, Eli came over and signed his XFL 2020 card for me. We joked about how I was an OG fan of the XFL in 2020 and how the Defenders were fun to watch, before he kindly signed this card for me.

NFL, XFL

Thompkins, DeAndre

Topps XFL 2020, #AU -DT

CARD: Topps XFL 2020
ACQUIRED: 2020, Box Breaker

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • Accumulated 83 receptions for 1245 yards and 6 TDs while playing at Penn State from 2015-18.
  • Was not selected in 2018 NFL Draft, but was later signed by the Eagles.
  • Selected in the 4th round of the 2020 XFL Draft by the DC Defenders.
  • Had best game in 27-0 win over the NY Guardians in Week 2, posting 6 receptions for 67 yards and a TD.
  • In 5 games totaled 7 receptions for 85 yards and a TD, while also rushing 2 times for 33 yards.
  • Saw time in training camps with both the Steelers (2020) and Packers (2021).
NFL, XFL

Ramirez, Santos

Topps XFL 2020, #89

CARD: Topps XFL 2020
ACQUIRED: IP 2023, San Antonio Brahmas v Washington Defenders

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • Santos Ramirez played defensive back at Arkansas from 2015-18.
  • He posted 228 total tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, 3 interceptions for 58 yards and a TD, 13 pass deflections, and 5 forced fumbles over his college career for the Razorbacks.
  • Went unselected in the 2019 NFL Draft, but saw time as a free agent on the preseason roster of the New York Jets.
  • Played safety for the Seattle Dragons in the XFL 2020, posting 11 total tackles.
  • Returned to the XFL in 2023, starting all 10 games, and had a solid season for the DC Defenders.
  • Posted 46 total tackles, .5 sacks, and 2 interceptions for 47 yards, and a TD.
  • His 40 yard interception of Brandon Silvers for a TD was considered one of the top 5 highlights of the DC Defenders season.

NOTES:

After the game I milled around and spotted Santos out on the field with his family. I flagged him down. He was shocked he had a card and his mom asked to see it too. He was really excited to pen it, so I parlayed his autograph by asking him if he could help me get Jordan Ta’Amu too, which he nicely did for me! I’ll probably drop a few more off with his mom if I see her again. (She was pretty hot…) lol