CARDS: Upper Deck UFL 2025 Dual Autographs, XFL 2023 ACQUIRED: Epack 2025 IP 2025, San Antonio Brahmas v DC Defenders
CAREER SNAPSHOT:
Abram Smith played college ball at Baylor from 2018-’21.
He battled adversity through injury and a position change, before returning to RB for his 2021 campaign.
There he rushed 257 times for 1,601 yards and 12 TDs for the Bears, setting the school’s single season rushing record.
After going undrafted, he’d be signed by the New Orleans Saints in 2022.
Cut, Smith was the overall #1 pick of the DC Defenders during the 2023 XFL Draft.
Over the course of the XFL ’23 season, Abram ran for 788 yards and 6 TDs.
Signed with the Vikings after the season, but didn’t make the squad.
Returned to the Defenders, but tore his ACL before the season, ending his 2024 campaign.
Resigned with DC for the ’25 campaign and rushed for 285 yards and a TD on 101 carries.
ACCOLADES:
All XFL 2023
NOTES:
I got Abram at almost the same time I got Malik Fisher. Abram didn’t seem all too enthusiastic even though I gave him a custom to keep, but still I was happy to get the XFL ’23’s leading rusher on a card.
CARDS: TNT XFL 2023, Upper Deck UFL 2024 ACQUIRED: IP 2025, San Antonio Brahmas v DC Defenders
CAREER SNAPSHOT:
Malik Fisher played DL at Villanova from 2017-’21.
In Senior campaign posted 46 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, 4 sacks, an interception and 2 forced fumbles.
Played pivotal role in Wildcats not allowing an offensive TD over its final 7 games in 2021.
Signed with the DC Defenders of the XFL in 2023.
Really came into his own in 2024, with 6 sacks and 32 tackles.
Signed with the Houston Texans, and briefly spent time on the team’s practice squad.
Returned to the Defenders for the 2025 season.
San Antonio Brahmas (1-5) v DC Defenders (4-2), 5/9/25 TAC 2 SAC 0.0 FUM 0 INT 0 YDS 0 AVG -.- TD 0 LG -.-
NOTES:
I targeted Malik as the player I wanted gloves from who played for the Defenders. I always liked his story from small school to the UFL. When he heard I had a card during pregame, he lit up and came over. I offered him the customary extras in exchange for a glove after the game. He signed everything I had and was super excited to have copies of his cards. Then he wanted to make sure I’d be there in that spot after the game.
Despite the frustrating amount of belligerent kids around me, allowed to roam loose, I was able to hang out long enough. Malik came over and pulled the gloves from his helmet and handed me the pair! Then he tried to provide as many other keepsakes he could for the children around me. Class act!
This gives me 5 pairs of gloves, and also my first Upper Deck UFL 2024 card signed in person.
Caeveon Patton played DT at Texas State from 2017-’21.
He played 3 years for the Bobcats, racking up 179 total tackles, 12 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks.
After the 2022 NFL Draft, he signed with the Indianapolis Colts but didn’t make the squad.
He joined the Orlando Guardians of the XFL for 2023.
Starting all 10 games on a bad squad, Patton was a space eater, nabbing 40 total tackles.
Signed with the Atlanta Falcons after the season but was cut after camp.
Returned to spring ball where he was selected by the San Antonio Brahmas during the XFL/USFL Dispersal Draft.
A shrewd selection by the Brahmas, Caeveon was eager to get to work for Wade Phillips defense that turns interior defensive linemen into monsters.
In 5 starts (8 games), Caeveon finished with 16 total tackles and 1.5 sacks.
Patton was released in May of ’25, as he needed to rehab an injury and the league wouldn’t allow him to go on IR.
He started 5 games and had 12 total tackles.
ACCOLADES:
All XFL 2023
NOTES:
So at the STH Meet & Greet in ’24 with Wade Phillips and Daryl Johnston, I had a sneaking suspicion that Caeveon would show up, and he did! -But unfortunately I didn’t have his card printed yet. I went home and got it done, then didn’t get him during the regular season.
After the season concluded the team decided to host a Sea World event, and I brought my family with me. We got to pose with the XFL Conference (former Championship) Trophy, meet GM Mark Lillibridge, and Wade. I knew Caeveon would show up, and there he was. He loved the card.
Caeveon remains popular with the fans due to his Central Texas roots and willingness to be involved in nearly all the team’s meet and greet events. His name is pronounced ‘ZA-vee-on’.
I caught him and Tavante Beckett at the Season Kickoff Event for 2025. They were quite surprised I could lift the heavy trophy unaided!
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.
