Malcolm played OL at Miami, eventually transferring to UCLA for graduate studies.
After not being selected in the 2015 NFL Draft, he embarked on a series of stops with the Eagles (2015), Tiger-Cats (2017), Jaguars (2017), and Giants (2018).
Bunche got seasoning playing for an exceptionally good OL with the Arizona Hotshots of the AAF in 2019.
He had two more short stops with the Giants and Redskins immediately after that before closing out the year.
Bunche then played for the Washington Defenders of the XFL in 2020.
After a brief hiatus he played with the San Antonio Brahmas of the XFL 2023.
NOTES:
Malcolm was a nice grab that I picked up during the Purple Heart Event that the team was at in Boerne in April. I was wearing my AJ Tarpley jersey and my guy Kameron Kelly stopped me to admire it and take a photo with me. Malcolm came up to compliment me as he too was an AAF vet from his days with the Hotshots. When I produced his XFL card from my pile of stuff, he was duly impressed and gleefully signed it.
CARD: Sage 2021, XFL 2023 Custom, Panini Legacy 2021 ACQUIRED: IP 2023, San Antonio Brahmas v Arlington Renegades. San Antonio Brahmas v Houston Roughnecks. San Antonio Brahmas v Washington Defenders
CAREER SNAPSHOT:
TJ Vasher played WR for the Texas Tech Red Raiders from 2016-20.
In 2017-20, he totaled over 500 yards and at least 6 TDs in each year.
He finished his college career with 146 receptions for 1983 yards and 21 TDs.
Going unselected in the 2021 NFL Draft, Vasher was signed by the Dallas Cowboys, but was waived with an injury designation.
He’d be selected by the San Antonio Brahmas of the XFL during their 2023 draft.
Over the course of the season he established himself as the #1 receiver despite the team’s felonious quarterback carousel.
Vasher caught 16 passes for 173 yards and 2 TDs on the year.
Panini Legacy 2020, #191Sage 2020, #148
NOTES:
The season ticket holders next to me got an email from the XFL giving them post game field access. They offered me the chance to go with them and I gambled that I’d be able to get autographs easier from players that way.
I spotted TJ signing near the players home entrance for some fans on the elevated side of the stands. It was easy for me to walk over there and ask him to sign this card.
I was pretty meh about the Sage card. The design is so… low effort. Either the person who designed this has just run out of juice to do this, doesn’t care, or they have an intern handle it. It’s been a disappointing fall for me with Sage since 2017 or so, as their design, quality, and general autograph selection has suffered.
Later I got him on this Panini Legacy card after the Roughnecks game. He was very cool about signing that one. Great card here, and the design is regally Art Nouveau.
I made this XFL custom card of TJ. It took me a few iterations to get to this design and I love it. I think these cards really exude the look and theme of the XFL 2023. When he looked at the card, he said, “Ah! You’re the card guy! I’ll get you when I come back out in a few minutes…” I hunkered down hiding out in the stadium against the protests of the ushers there and was able to get him on my sweet custom. I also gave him a few to keep as thanks.
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.
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.
