Category Archives: XFL

AAF, NFL, XFL

Smith, De’Veon (2)

Card: Topps AAF NOW 2019
Acquired: IP 2020, Houston Roughnecks/ Tampa Bay Vipers Joint Practice
See Also: De’Veon Smith

After spending a short stint with the Redskins in 2018, De’Veon took his talents to the Alliance of American Football in 2019. He signed with the Orlando Apollos for the season. He quickly entered the league record books, scoring the AAF’s first rushing TD in a 40-6 drubbing of the Atlanta Legends.

De’Veon was part of a 3-headed monster for the Orlando Apollos league leading offense. A compact runner, with a low center of gravity, he finished 6th in the league rushing with 75 carries for 345 yards and 3 TDs. His best game came against Birmingham when he ran 14 times for 119 yards and a 40 yard long.

In 2020, Smith joined the XFL Tampa Bay Vipers. When I heard the Roughnecks were doing a joint practice with the Roughnecks, I gambled I could get his autograph on this card. After practice he almost escaped, but I was able to flag him down. He came over and kindly signed my card and we exchanged pleasantries about the Commanders game that Orlando won that AAF season. He then helped me flag down Tarean Folston who I also really wanted.

CFL, NFL, XFL

Hobbs, Darryl ‘Mantis’

Card: Topps XFL 2001
Acquired: TTM 2019, C/o Home
Sent: 7/24 Received: 8/16 (23 days)

Daryl Hobbs played college ball for Pacific in 1990 and 1991. Amazingly he posted almost identical numbers in both years catching 62 passes for 848 yards and 14 TDs in 1990, and 62 for 842 and 12 TDs in 1991.

He signed with the Raiders in 1993, but saw only spotty action until 1995 when he started 3 games as a key reserve. Hobbs put up 38 receptions for 612 yards and 3 TDs- then in 1996 had 44 receptions for 423 yards and another 3 TDs. Daryl then split a season in 1997 with the New Orleans Saints and the Seattle Seahawks. After a brief stay with the Chiefs, Daryl spent 1999 and 2000 with the Montreal Alouettes and Saskatchewan Roughriders in the CFL. He caught 23 passes for 277 yards and 2 TDs in 2000. In 2001, Daryl Hobbs played in the XFL for the Memphis Maniax. He finished second on the team with 30 receptions for 419 yards and 5 TDs.

Daryl is currently enjoys coaching in the high school ranks.

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AAF, NFL, XFL

Pressley, Jhurell

Card: Topps AAF 2019, Topps AAF 2019 Certified
Acquired: IP 2019, San Antonio Commanders v Arizona Hotshots. EBay 2019.

Jhurell was very high on my list for the game to try and get. His card is quite exciting looking and he was one of the league leaders in rushing. It helped that I had the seats in the visitors endzone, but he proved to be no problem- as soon as he saw his card of course. Jhurell removed his custom mouthpiece, which had gold vampire teeth in it and came over excitedly. It clued me in that for most of the Hotshots this was the first time they’d seen their cards.

Jhurell Pressley was not drafted coming out of New Mexico in 2016. Over his 4 years with the Lobos, he compiled 2,725 career yards on 394 carries (6.9 ypc) while scoring 35 TDs, and catching 18 passes (202 yards). His best year at NM came in 2014 when he compiled a whopping 1083 yards on 114 carries. – That’s right- 9.4 yards per carry!

He’d sign with the Minnesota Vikings and then see time on and off the rosters and practice squads of the Packers, Falcons, Jaguars, and Giants.

Jhurell joined the Arizona Hotshots in 2019 and led the league in rushing finishing with 430 yards on 96 carries, 1 TD and a 36 yard long scamper. He also caught 11 passes for 86 yards and 2 TDs including a 30 yard scamper.

After the league folded Jhurell was selected in the 3rd round of the XFL 2020 Draft by the Washington Defenders.