A former Syracuse football player is among the first players selected in the XFL Draft.
Offensive guard Andrew Tiller was picked in the fourth round, 29th overall in the offensive line draft, by the Tampa Bay Vipers. The Vipers are one of eight teams in the new professional football league that will launch in February 2020.
Tiller started every game of his senior and redshirt senior seasons for the Orange, helping pave the way for 1,000-yard rushers both years in Antwon Bailey and Delone Carter. He was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the sixth round of the 2012 NFL Draft and spent time with several teams, including the San Diego Chargers, Green Bay Packers, San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs.
Tiller was the only Syracuse alumnus picked among 240 players in the first day of the XFL Draft.
The XFL, a reboot of the league that lasted just one season in 2001, is run by WWE owner and CEO Vince McMahon. Teams will hold minicamps and training camps after the XFL Draft concludes, then start the regular season shortly after the NFL’s Super Bowl.
The XFL Draft wraps up Wednesday. More than 1,000 players are eligible.
Other SU alumni eligible include running back Dontae Strickland, offensive tackle Jamar McGloster, offensive tackle Sean Hickey, and wide receiver Ervin Philips. Former Orange quarterback Eric Dungey was also invited to the XFL Draft, but instead signed with the Cleveland Browns practice squad last week.