Cardale Jones played QB for the Ohio State University from 2013-2016.
He got his first start in the Big Ten Championship Game in 2014, when he threw for 257 yards and 3 TDs- and was named MVP of the game.
After a battle with JT Barrett for the starting role, Jones earned the starting nod in 2015.
Started 7 games throwing for 1460 yards and 8 TDs (5 INT), while rushing for 193 yards on 64 carries (2 TD).
Declared for the 2016 NFL Draft.
Selected in the 4th round by the Buffalo Bills.
Buried on the depth chart behind Tyrod Taylor and EJ Manuel, he completed 6 of 11 passes for 96 yards and an interception his rookie year.
Traded to the Chargers in 2017.
Spent 2018 on the Chargers practice squad.
Released in 2019, and joined the Seahawks for a bit over a week.
Joined the DC Defenders of the XFL20 later that year.
Had a solid debut in the league completing 16 of 26 passes for 291 yards and 2 TDs for the team’s first win.
Finished the abbreviated season with 674 yards on 61 of 113 passing (4 TD to 7 INT).
Briefly was on the radar of the Edmonton Elks of the CFL and then later the Massachusetts Pirates in ’22.
NOTES:
My good friend Seth Lessans- a season ticketholder of the Defenders in 2020, was willing to help me get any autographs I wanted, so I cashed in big time with a bunch of players including Cardale on his Panini Contenders School Colors card. I’ve tried to keep up with Seth, but our communication is spotty for whatever reason. I hope he’s doing okay.
I got a few of these really nice XFL cards of Cardale, but I didn’t want to risk them TTM or pay the going rate I’d seen at a few events of roughly 50 bucks per item. Eventually I was able to find an event through the same broker that got me Pete Mandley a few months ago for an extremely reasonable price. I went ahead and cashed in nearly all my set needs.
Cardale maintains that he still loves the game and is ready to suit up at any time.
Originally a WR in college at Fort Valley State, Marquette hit the field as a punter in his Junior year.
He’d go undrafted in 2012 after an outstanding Senior campaign where he netted All-First Team in the SIAC.
King signed with the Raiders post draft and provided a camp leg for the team while Shane Lechler rehabbed an injury.
The Raiders stashed King on IR during his rookie year.
With Lechler signing with the Texans in 2013, Marquette won the job outright in camp.
Marquette had an exceptional debut, leading the league in with a 48.9 gross yards per punt.
He’d then follow his debut up with leading the NFL in various categories and setting franchise records with 4,930 yards on 109 punts in 2014.
Marquette played with the Raiders through 2017.
He signed with the Broncos in 2018.
Cut midway through the season with an injury settlement.
Signed with the XFL in 2020, playing for the St. Louis Battlehawks.
Had 19 punts for 868 yards before the league terminated after week 5 due to COVID.
Returned again to the XFL in 2023 where he was selected by the Arlington Renegades.
Finished year with 40 punts for 1816 yards and a 45.4 yard average as Renegades captured XFL Championship.
Played again in 2024 for the Renegades and had 28 punts for 1368 yards.
ACCOLADES:
Second Team All Pro 2016
All UFL 2024
NOTES:
Marquette was the first player to come over before the XFL Championship game. Kids swarmed me, as they know King as a combination of a streamer and an athlete. He left me for last and thanked me for being a fan while signing the card.
Marquette has a very unique autograph. I’ve never seen anything really like it. It’s pretty artistic with the dots and the straight line on the end there. I think it’s supposed to be a king’s crown.
I’m not sure why Marquette didn’t get another shot at the NFL. Maybe he just got too expensive for his own market. Maybe it was because he showboated after making a great punt. Maybe he got bad press from his former teammates on the Raiders.
Marquette recently also provided the 2024 UFL Championship game with its halftime entertainment as he’s a musician as well.
So right after I got De’Veon on a few cards at the Roughnecks event way, way back in 2020, the XFL Topps set was released. In 2023, when the Brahmas played the Renegades in SA, I finally figured out my strategy for getting autographs, but it was only after the Renegades game that I settled in. It’s pretty much worked like a charm since.
After the Brahmas beat the Renegades, I was able to get De’Veon to come over. Any of the players who were ex-AAFers gravitated towards me to give me props. De’Veon for example played for Orlando.
I also reminded him that I was that fan that flagged him down at the scrimmage that the Vipers had against the Roughnecks back in 2020. He smiled widely and said, “I REMEMBER YOU!!!” We exchanged pleasantries and I tried to get his glove off of him but he had already promised it to the kids across the way. No big deal. Next year!
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.