What to know about XFL HBCU showcase at Jackson State this weekend

The XFL will host an invite-only showcase at Jackson State University on Saturday. It is the fourth of the league's six showcase events, which are aimed at finding players for the league's upcoming season.

The league, which began in 2001 under Vince McMahon, played one season before shutting down. The league came back in 2020, but only lasted a few weeks. Now, under new ownership from Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson and Dany Garcia, the league aims to return in February 2023.

The event at JSU is a showcase for HBCU players, and several key players including SWAC player of the year Aqeel Glass are set to be there. Registration is closed.

Here's what to know about Saturday's event at JSU.

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Where: JSU's Walter Payton Center

When: Saturday, July 16, 7:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

Who is expected to be there: Johnson, Garcia, and XFL president Russ Brandon will be there and have media availability 10. Head coaches Hines Ward, Jim Haslett, Terrell Buckley, and Reggie Barlow will attend.

According to WLBT, Jackson State coach Deion Sanders is also expected to attend.

Here are a few key players who are expected to attend:

Aqeel Glass, Alabama A&M, quarterback: The SWAC player of the year threw for 3,568 yards and 36 TDs against 7 interceptions last season. He threw for 400 yards or more five times and went 259-414 passing.

Keonte Hampton, Jackson State, linebacker: The former SWAC player of the year recorded 79 tackles and four sacks en route to helping the Tigers reach the Celebration Bowl, the de facto HBCU national championship game. Hampton is a two-time all-SWAC first-team selection at linebacker.

Tyrin Ralph, Arkansas Pine-Bluff, receiver: Ralph, a speedy 5-foot-8, 170-pound receiver was a second-team Stats Perform FCS second-team All-American selection in 2021. He had 892 all-purpose yards, including a career high 279 against Mississippi Valley State when he scored the game-winning touchdown.

David Watford, Hampton, quarterback: Watford signed with the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted free agent in 2016 but was released in 2017. He has four years of experience playing in the Canadian football League with the Saskatchewan Roughriders and Hamilton Tiger-Cats. Watford played a season at Hampton after spending the first three of his college career at Virginia.

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: XFL: What to know about HBCU showcase at Jackson State University