STAMFORD, Conn.-Tuesday, the relaunch of the XFL conducted the first phase of its inaugural draft and several alums of Utah college football programs were selected.

Technically, there is no specific site for the draft as all the activity occurred via conference call and only 90 seconds were permitted for teams to make their selections.

The draft is occurring in phases as teams selected all their skill position players, followed by offensive lineman and front seven selections defensively.

The top overall selection was made by the DC Defenders, who took former Ohio State star quarterback Cardale Jones.

Jones was a 2016 NFL Draft 4th round selection by the Buffalo Bills who later spent time with the Los Angeles Chargers (2017-18) and Seattle Seahawks (2019).

Former BYU tackle De’Ondre Wesley, who played for the Cougars from 2013-14, was also selected by the Defenders. Wesley had previously been a journeyman in the NFL, spending time with the Baltimore Ravens (2015-16), Buffalo Bills (2017-18; 2019) and Indianapolis Colts (2018).

Former Southern Utah tackle Marquez Tucker was the fifth overall offensive lineman selected by the Houston Roughnecks.

Tucker was an NFL Draft prospect this past April but after going undrafted, he signed a free agent deal with the Chicago Bears before his ultimate release in training camp.

The Dallas Renegades, in making offensive line and  front seven selections, took Utah guard Salesi Uhatafe  as their eighth selection and Utah defensive tackle Sealver Siliga as their second choice among their front seven picks.

Uhatafe played at Utah from 2014-2017 and made 38 starts in 52 career games for the Utes. He spent time with the Washington Redskins during the 2019 off-season before being released prior to the start of the regular season.

Siliga starred for the Utes from 2008-2010 and was named honorable mention on the All-Mountain West Conference team in 2009 and 2010.

Siliga was undrafted by the NFL in 2011, but spent time with the San Franciso 49ers (2011), Denver Broncos (2011-2012), Seattle Seahawks (2013; 2016), New England Patriots (2013-2015), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2016-2017), Jacksonville Jaguars (2018) and, most recently, with the Salt Lake Stallions (2019) of the Alliance of American Football.

The St. Louis BattleHawks selected former BYU defensive end Corbin Kaufusi with their 10th, and last, overall selection among their front seven choices.

Incidentally, reports suggest the New York Jets have signed him to their practice squad Tuesday. Kaufusi has been with the New Orleans Saints during the 2019 off-season after going undrafted during the 2019 NFL Draft this past April.

During his collegiate career at BYU (2016-2018), Kaufusi netted 16 sacks and 18.5 tackles for a loss. Kaufusi starred at nearby Timpview High School in Provo prior to his time with the Cougars.

In conclusion, the Seattle Dragons, among their front seven selections, took a pair of Utah alums in defensive end Tenny Palepoi and defensive tackle Pasoni Tasini.

Palepoi, a product of Salt Lake City’s Skyline High School, starred at both Snow College and Utah. He then was picked up by the San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers as an undrafted free agent in 2014. He was with the Chargers from 2014-2017  and then spent time with the Buffalo Bills (2018) and the Salt Lake Stallions (2019).

In his pro career, Palepoi has one sack, a fumble recovery and 53 total tackles.

Tasini played at Utah in 2015 and 2016, earning honorable mention Pac-12 honors in 2016 after posting 9.5 tackles for a loss, 1.5 sacks, six pass breakups, two forced fumbles and a safety.

Following the 2017 NFL Draft when he went undrafted, Pasini signed with the Arizona Cardinals, staying with the squad through 2018. During his time with the Cardinals, he posted one assisted tackle in 2018.

The draft concludes Wednesday with an open pool. This will last until all 71-team rosters have all positions filled.

The XFL’s second inaugural season, following its hiatus after the 2001 season, will commence in February 2020.