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.
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.
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.
