Former Gateway standout Todd Jeter has hopes of XFL contract
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When Todd Jeter’s football eligibility ended at Westminster College after the 2017 season, thoughts turned to what options were available to continue his playing career, including the National Football League.
With the XFL re-launching this year, the Gateway graduate again found an opportunity, and he says he’s excited for what lies ahead over the next couple of months as the league continues to come together.
“I just work out and get on the field like crazy,” Jeter said.
“It really drives me. I have big goals, and I want to be as ready as possible. I am doing everything I can to be there.”
Jeter, 28, joined dozens of other prospects at an XFL showcase event June 19 at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla.
The XFL Summer Showcase events in six cities across the U.S. gave prospective pros such as Jeter the opportunity to put their skills on display in front of XFL coaches and personnel directors.
Participants have been evaluated based on performance for inclusion in the XFL Draft player pool for the 2023 season which is to begin in February.
The XFL Draft is set for Oct. 15-16.
There are eight teams in the relaunched XFL, and Jeter said up to 60 are expected to be on each roster. With roughly 450 to 480 spots available, Jeter said he is hopeful his abilities will get him in the door and on the field.
At the showcase, he was tested on things such as the broad jump, the 40-yard dash and a three-cone drill. As a cornerback, Jeter also got the chance to show his footwork and coverage skills.
“It was a pretty solid event,” he said.
Jeter introduced himself to former Steelers great and NFL Hall of Famer Rod Woodson, one of the XFL coaches at the IMG showcase.
“I was also hoping to see Hines Ward because he is also one of the head coaches, but he wasn’t there,” Jeter said.
“I did well considering I didn’t have as much time to get ready as I wanted. I didn’t know about it until about two or three weeks before when a friend of mine told me about it. I put a lot of work into getting in the best shape possible, but I wasn’t all the way there. Now, a month later, I am in much better shape.”
The opportunity at professional football might have seemed more distant earlier this year as Jeter began a journey to recovery after being shot on the South Side on New Year’s Day.
He spent 10 days in the hospital and then continued his recovery for a couple of months.
“There was a lot of healing before I could get back to working out with real light weights in March and into April,” Jeter said.
“At the end of April and early May was when I started running and really working out. I was given a second chance, and I want to take advantage of every opportunity given to me, whether it is in football or just being able to stay strong and healthy.”
The XFL Draft will be conducted through a conference call, and the results are expected to be released through the league’s various social media channels.
Jeter said he feels that he did well enough at the showcase to be among those selected.
If for some reason the XFL ends up not working out for Jeter, he said there are options in the direction of arena football or the USFL.
“My dream is to play professionally, and I know what I can do given the chance to get on the field,” Jeter said. “I am confident in my abilities to where I know I can succeed.”
Jeter enjoyed a standout high school career at Gateway and earned numerous all-star honors and other accolades before graduating in 2013.
He earned a scholarship to play Division I football at Temple and was recruited by former Gators head coach Terry Smith.
Jeter, armed with solid grades and SAT scores, hoped to make an impact at Temple, both on the field and in the classroom.
But NCAA rules as it relates to core-course requirements from high school kept Jeter from being able to enroll.
He was part of a summer camp workout with the Owls, but he left before school started.
After sitting out a year and hoping for a second chance, Jeter returned in the fall of 2014 at Division III Westminster College.
He flourished for four years with the Titans and earned multiple all-conference and all-region awards, including Presidents’ Athletic Conference Defensive Most Valuable Player honors as a senior in 2017.
Jeter finished his Westminster career with 17 interceptions.