Connor Degenhardt was a member of the 2023 NFL Draft class but wound up unselected in the process. This left him available for the XFL rookie draft in 2023, this time he would hear his name called by the Defending XFL Champion Arlington Renegades. The Renegades needed help at quarterback after the position held them back most of the season at least, up until the trade to add Luis Perez.
Degenhardt would sign with the Renegades in December, only to learn about the USFL and XFL merger about a month later. One gut punch after another came for Degenhardt as he soon learned he was not a part of the protected players on the Renegades roster, and shortly thereafter, found out he wasn’t on an XFL roster at all. Arlington had opted to bring in rookies Lindsey Scott Jr, and Holten Ahlers, while brining back XFL veterans Luis Perez, and Drew Plitt. This led Degenhardt back home to Massachusetts.
Degenhardt much like many other players left out of the UFL undoubtedly looked to the CFL for his next options but did not find immediate interest. Rather than wait for something to come he opted to bet on himself and sign an Indoor Football League contract with the Massachusetts Pirates for the 2024 season. This match on paper looks to be a good one.
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Connor Degenhardt from UFL Draft Pick to IFL Starter?
The Pirates had an immediate need for a quarterback after watching Anthony Russo choose to retire, and Trevone Boyin choose to return to the LFA. Left with a vacancy at quarterback, the Pirates went to work vetting the next elite IFL quarterback. After the success that Anthony Russo found in his first season of indoor football, optimism is high around the Pirates, and their fan base that Degenhardt or previously signed DJ Gollatt will take to the IFL style of play like a fish to water.
One of the questions left to answer from the USFL/XFL merger and subsequent creation of the UFL is if the XFL partnership with the IFL will carry over. IF, and currently that is a big IF, it carries over, this helps the IFL remain the top dog when it comes to attracting top flight players coming down from the UFL, or CFL for that matter, over the higher paying AFL, and the other smaller indoor leagues in the NAL, and AIF. Some may even say over some outdoor overseas options as well.
In terms of the Indoor Football League teams that have found success in luring players form the UFL to the IFL, none have had more success than the Massachusetts Pirates. The Pirates have had countless players play with them before or after stints in the XFL, USFL or UFL. Guys like Anthony Russo, Geremy Hickbottom, Connor Degenhardt, Jimmie Robinson, Antwan Owens, Ahmad Dixon and more grace this list. Massachusetts was even able to have at least two XFL players, and one USFL player join them for the playoff run after their 2023 season finished up. Tommy Champion, Terrance Smith, and Toby Johnson. Heading into 2024 this is no different as the Pirates now have signed seven players that were on a XFL, or UFL roster in 2023 in some capacity.
Making a Case For Connor to Sign
After they assisted Geremy Hickbottom in finding his way to the XFL, and Mike Glass to the CFL they had a good case to bring in another quarterback looking to make the jump even though last year’s starter, Anthony Russo did not. Russo’s success in 2023 should be another selling point to Degenhardt’s decision making process. Russo came in having no prior experience playing indoor football only to complete over 61% of his passes for 49 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. Collecting 2,243 yards on 298 attempts. He added 40 carries, 114 yards and 6 more touchdowns.
Connor Degenhardt is arguably a better fit for the IFL game play than Russo was given his mobility. Russo was much more of a pocket passer through his time in college, he would go on to run a 4.9 40-yard dash at 6’3 239 pounds. Degenhardt however ran a 4.76 with a 1.62 10-yard split. He also rushed for 26 touchdowns in college.
His 6’6 227 pound frame gives him a unique advantage in the IFL where the majority of the offensive and defensive linemen will be his height or shorter. This could prove to help him make the translation to the IFL easier in 2024, able to see the field better than some other first-time IFL quarterbacks. Thanks in part to his size he has the ability to evade or shrug off pass rushers in the pocket to deliver a strike to a receiver or run for a positive gain. These traits will be put on display in 2024.
Even if the UFL and IFL do not pick up where the XFL left off in their partnership, the IFL may as well be a minor league developmental system for the CFL. Due to how the CFL and IFL allow pre-snap motion, often times wide receivers, defensive backs, and of course quarterbacks are signed straight out of the IFL. Cameron Dukes signed with Toronto before 2023 and ended up seeing a start just this past season. Charles Headen, Leon O’Neal, Kordell Jackson all signed with the CFL for the 2024 season after a stint in the IFL in 2023.
What Does Connor Bring to the Table?
Connor has above average arm strength, and it looks fairly effortless as he regularly unloads 20+ yard passes throughout his highlight reel. He is also mobile enough to run the RPO, or read option which we saw him do on several occasions in college. One thing he could consider a weakness in his game is his accuracy. Some of this is due to his big arm, and willingness to take shots down field early and often, some of it is simply an area of his game that needs improvement. The smaller windows, and shorter field in the IFL should naturally test how accurate he can be in 2024.
Degenhardt is fairly well suited to the Indoor Football League due to his ability to run. In the IFL, we often see quarterbacks, and not running backs atop the rushing charts because they will take just as many or more carries than the running backs at times. This could accentuate a side of his game that is evident, but has not ever truly been the focus. This could end up being the nudge a CFL team needs to bring him in as a practice squad or QB3 option for short yardage and redzone packages.
Still Developing as a Passer
As a player who was the primary starter for three seasons of a five season college career, the most important trait that Degenhardt brings to the table in 2024 is room to develop. Speak to any coach, or quarterback after they have spent time playing indoor football and they all say the same thing. It speeds up your decision making process, and forces you to be more confident in your reads.
I don’t necessarily see any delays in his ability to read the field, often times if he is holding the ball it is to allow the play to develop. However, there is some value to balancing taking what the defense gives you, and doing it quickly to keep the offense moving down the field at all times rather than stalling due to a key drop on a deep pass. Given the speed of the indoor game, he will be forced to do more of this going forward, IF he ends up starting over Dj Gollatt.
Connor Degenhardt’s College Career
Degenhardt began his career at Holy Cross where he didn’t see much playing time until 2019, his third season with the school. In 2019 he would step into the starting lineup for the first time playing in 13 games. He went on to attempt 341 passes completing 182 (53%) for 2,372 yards. He tossed 14 touchdowns to 8 interceptions. Earning Second Team All Patriot League honors.
In 2020 he played in just 4 games partially due to COVID 19. He attempted 38 passes completing 21 of them (55%), he managed 147 yards passing on the year with 2 touchdowns and 1 interception. Adding 17 carries for 22 yards. After four years at Holy Cross he chose to transfer and continue his college career at University of New Haven.
After transferring, Degenhardt laid claim to the starting job and never looked back. He would lead his team to a 10-2 record on the strength of his best season yet. He completed 59% of his 280 pass attempts for 2,122 yards 18 touchdowns to just 4 interceptions. He also showed how deadly he can be as a runner by collecting 15 rushing touchdowns on the year despite taking only 84 carries all year long. he collected Second Team All-NE-10.
He saved the best for his last season of college. In 2022 he managed 35 total touchdowns on his way to being named First-Team All-NE 10, and 2022 NE-10 Offensive Player of the Year. Playing in 11 games he attempted 287 passes completing 168 or a career high 7.8 yards per attempt. Another year completing 59% of his passes. Degenhardt showed enough potential as a three year starter that he deserves the chance to play out his professional dreams. With Degenhardt the question is now if he can parlay his time in the IFL into an outdoor contract by 2025.
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So you’re telling me that he would’ve beaten out Lindsey Scott? And others?
Justin Kelm no where in the article did we say that
Shady Sports Network I read it 🙂
Justin Kelm It definitely never said that, I read it to
Wishing him well. Let’s Go!
Alejandro Bennifield just re-signed
Stephen Ur III just don’t see him starting.
Stephen Ur IIII mean if you look at how Mass has operated they’ve been trying to replace him
Shady Sports Network Dro is a great QB and most importantly teammate. Competition is healthy for everyone
But they’ve been trying to replace him as the starter for two years..remember we talked about this last year and how I told you Russo would end up starting..