Kirk Merritt RB/WR was very busy in college spending time at Oregon (2015), Texas A&M (’16), East Mississippi CC (’17), and Arkansas State (2018-’19).
For the Red Wolves in 2018, he compiled 83 receptions for 1,005 yards and 7 TDs.
Then in 2019, he had 70 receptions for 806 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Signed in 2020 with the Dolphins where he spent the season on and off the regular season roster and the practice squad through 2021.
In 2022, signed with the New Orleans Saints and was on the team’s practice squad through 2023.
Signed with the UFL Houston Roughnecks in 2024, and finished with 14 carries for 187 yards and 9 carries for 28 yards and a TD.
Then in 2025, posted 33 carries for 91 yards and a TD, and 13 catches for 124 yards.
NOTES:
While I believe in the slow evolution of sets from year to year like an elegant Corvette, this set seems to have taken a path in the wrong direction. It really doesn’t feel risky enough. What position does Kirk play? His position is either too small or disappears into the canvas. I also find the serif on his name stodgy and unnecessary. I opted out of spending the hundreds of dollars needed to purchase this set and the certified autos. I’ll just nickle and dime my way through and probably won’t buy the ’26 set since the Brahmas are no longer in the UFL.
Handsome Tanielu played DL first at Snow JC from 2014 to 2015.
Posted 38 total tackles, 6 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, a pass deflection, and 3 forced fumbles in 17 contests.
Transferred to Brigham Young for his Junior and Senior seasons.
Finished with 41 total tackles, and one pass deflection.
Undrafted, he caught the eye of the Kansas City Chiefs who had him in for minicamp.
He stayed in playing shape and in 2019 was signed by the Salt Lake City Stallions of the AAF.
Saw action in 3 games for the top ranked defense, posting a pass deflection.
Drafted by the XFL Houston Roughnecks in 2020, but did not make the squad.
NOTES:
Looking back it’s easy to see why Topps chose Handsome, who not only had a marketable name, but that he was also a fireplug- clocking in at 6’0″, 331 lbs.
I knew I had a good shot at getting Ajene, as he had signed for me the previous year for me no problem, so I went ahead and printed out a custom of him from his time in H-Town in 2023. Not to mention I picked up on the fact it was his birthday so I could use that to my advantage.
He really liked the custom I did of him and kept the extra I had. I forgot to get him to sign the base card but at least I got him to sign the red parallel.
During the game he almost picked off a pass he would’ve easily returned for 6. I should’ve asked him for his gloves- but I forgot.
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.
