CARD: TNT XFL 2023 ACQUIRED: 2026, IP FAILURE: TTM 2023, C/o The Pittsburgh Steelers
CAREER SNAPSHOT:
Unrecruited out of HS due primarily to injury Luq played JC ball at Grossmont in California.
A solid athlete, Luq displayed talent and tenacity playing DB and then later WR.
Transferred to San Diego State, and in 2018 returned to defense and also saw time gunning on special teams.
Finished college career with 75 total tackles, 5 tackles for loss, 10 picks, and 20 pass deflections.
His 9 interceptions and 16 pass deflections in 2019 led the Mountain West Conference.
Undrafted in 2020, he saw time that year in camp and on the practice squad of the Jaguars.
In 2021, he was claimed off of waivers by the Cards and was on their practice squad for a bit, before ending the year on the 9ers.
A camp cut of the Chiefs and Jets the following season, Barqoo would be the first selection of the San Antonio Brahmas of the XFL ’23 in 2022.
Finished season with a lot of buzz and as a dominating DB he racked up
Signed with the Steelers before the 2023 NFL season, and spent the year on and off the roster, and waived with an injury designation in ’24.
Signed with the Cowboys in 2025 and then was later cut by the Lions that year.
Selected by the St. Louis Battlehawks during the 2026 dispersal draft.
ACCOLADES:
All XFL Team 2023
NOTES:
The very first card I created for the TNT XFL set was Luq’s. I was confident that I could get it signed TTM from him via the Steelers, but I never got a response.
I’m glad that I scoured the roster of the Battlehawks before I met with Justin, as it reminded me that Luq was on the team now. I still have 3-4 Brahmas left to graph from that ’23 team, but I was really glad to add Luq on his card. When the players came over to sign, I wisely had 2 sharpies to help move them along quickly. When Luq came up to me, I said to him, “Hey baby. I bet you thought I forgot about you.”, And handed him his encapsulated card and one to sign. He smiled. I could tell he really loved the card.
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.
CARDS: Topps XFL 2020, TNT XFL 2023 ACQUIRED: IP 2025, San Antonio Brahmas v Houston Roughnecks
CAREER SNAPSHOT:
Jalan McClendon has taken an interesting path to playing professional football.
Played sparingly at QB for NC State from 2014-’17 and then at Baylor in 2018.
Undrafted, Jalan spent time in the camps of the Ravens and Redskins, and then did workouts with the Giants and Packers- all in 2019.
He’d be selected by the Los Angeles Wildcats of the XFL 20.
Again, he’d spend time riding the bench, seeing some action here and there throughout the abbreviated 5 game season.
McClendon was selected by the Vegas Vipers of XFL23.
He’d start 4 games, and complete 67 of 112 passes for 873 yards and 5 TDs to 1 interception.
With fleet feet, he escaped defenses to the tune of 30 carries for 137 yards.
With the merger between the USFL and XFL completed in time for 2024, McClendon was picked up by the DC Defenders.
Jalan backed up Jordan Ta’Amu but completed 13 of 21 passes for 129 yards in reserve duty.
Finally in 2025, McClendon was given a chance to shine for the Houston Roughnecks.
Fighting his way through a QB derby to start, he’d lead the team to a 4-2 record as starter, and complete 147 of 225 passes for 1464 yards and 6 TDs to 3 picks.
NOTES:
I had spied Jalan off the roster of the Roughnecks and when they signed him I felt he had starter material written all over him from his rugged appearance with the Vipers in 2023.
I was able to get him pregame early on. He signed these two cards and thanked me for being a fan, very earnestly. He loved the custom of him from his time with the Vipers. I got both his and Mathew Sexton’s, (also a former Viper) signed at the same game.
I really enjoyed making this custom set. It’s too bad that the league has such high churn that I probably won’t be able to finish out this set.
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.
