Tag Archives: houston roughnecks

Harris, Ajene

Topps XFL 2020, #61

CARD: Topps XFL 2020
ACQUIRED: IP 2023, San Antonio Brahmas v Houston Roughnecks

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • Ajene Harris displayed solid versatility for USC, playing DB, PR, and WR during his time at the school.
  • Over his last 3 years for the Trojans, he posted 144 total tackles, and 6 picks.
  • After spending training camp with the Eagles, Ajene joined the Houston Roughnecks in 2020.
  • As part of a gambling, dangerous secondary, Ajene posted 20 tackles.
  • He’d play for the Pittsburgh Maulers of the USFL in 2022 and post a tackle before returning again to the XFL.
  • Like an old glove, Ajene returned to the Roughnecks for 2023.
  • Picked on relentlessly by QBs Harris posted pretty good numbers on the outside.
  • He had 5 interceptions (league leader) for 15 yards, and 31 total tackles.
  • After the XFL Roughnecks were dispersed, he was selected by the Arlington Renegades for the upcoming 2024 season.

NOTES:

Ajene came over and signed this lone card for me. He loved that I had the OG Roughnecks jersey on, and told me that I needed to get a jersey of him next. He and I talked briefly about 2020, when the Roughnecks went into Arlington and pummeled the Renegades at home. We had a good laugh as he signed the card, and I told him he almost gave me a heart attack by giving up a few big plays that led to the OT effort by the Brahmas that weekend.

Holley, Nick

CARDS: Topps XFL 2020, Topps XFL 2020 Now
ACQUIRED: IP 2023, San Antonio Brahmas v Houston Roughnecks

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • Nick Holley was a multi-talented athlete that did it all for Kent State on offense from 2013-17.
  • He played WR, RB and QB over his time at the school.
  • As a RB in 2016, he carried the rock 195 times for 920 yards and 10 TDs.
  • Going undrafted, he eventually latched on with the Rams in 2018.
  • In 2020, he joined the Houston Roughnecks.
  • A key contributor to the Roughnecks 5-0 run, Holley could be seen in the slot for H-Town.
  • He posted 21 receptions for 267 yards and 2 TDs.
  • Nick returned again to the XFL in 2023, with the Roughnecks as a late signing.
  • He started 3 games, catching passes for 47 yards and a TD.
  • Inextricably he’d be cut, much to the disappointment of Roughneck fans whom he became a fan favorite of.
  • The Brahmas immediately claimed him, and within two games he was a key contributor to the Brahmas beating the Orlando Guardians, catching 4 passes for 103 yards in their win.
  • On the ’23 season Nick finished with 14 catches for 192 yards and a TD.

NOTES:

Nick was a major factor in my XFL Fantasy Championship run, so I had to get his autograph on his cards. Nick joined the Brahmas before playing the Roughnecks, so I packed his cards and bet he might stop by the visitors side to talk to Roughneck fans and players. I was right, and I was able to get him to come over and sign these two cards for me. The Topps Now card of Nick, I’d probably have never risked in the mail as the print run on this card is just 169.

Butler, James (RB)

Topps XFL 2020, #108

CARD: Topps XFL 2020
ACQUIRED: TTM 2022, C/o Home
SENT: 12/11 RECEIVED: 12/27 (16 days)

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • James Butler played RB for 3 years at Nevada from 2014-16.
  • He ran for over 1300 yards and 10 TDs in both 2015 and 2016.
  • Transferred to Iowa for Senior year in 2017.
  • Undrafted in 2018, but was a member of the Raiders practice squad.
  • Signed with the Saskatchewan Roughriders in 2019 but was cut at the end of camp.
  • Returned to Raiders practice squad for the 2019 season but was not resigned.
  • Joined the XFL Houston Roughnecks Run N Shoot attack for the 2020 season.
  • Was a spark at RB for the Roughnecks, both on the ground and as a receiving threat.
  • Carried the ball 46 times for 221 yards (4 TDs) to go along with 11 catches for 42 yards and a TD
  • After scoring a TD in a home game against the St Louis Battlehawks, jumped into crowd creating a celebration dubbed, “The Houston Hop”.
  • COVID ended the XFL 2020, but James rejoined the CFL- with the BC Lions.
  • Rushed for 497 yards on 101 carries (2 TDs) and caught 39 passes for 243 yards and a TD in 2021.
  • Had first 1,000 yard effort in 2022 rushing for 1060 yards on 210 carries while also catching 53 passes for 384 yards for the Lions.

NOTES:

Well I had season tickets to the Roughnecks and of 3 games that they were able to play I was able to attend 2 of them before COVID knocked the league out. I went with my friend Kevin to the game, and with our endzone seats, I was able to engineer a guest star on James Butler’s Houston Hop, as I muscled my way in at the end of the highlight film. Look at that Legends jersey! Long live the AAF!