Austin Faoliu, a 2023 All-XFL defensive tackle, was signed by the St. Louis Battlehawks on Monday.
Austin Faoliu, a 2023 All-XFL defensive tackle, was signed by the St. Louis Battlehawks on Monday.
A.J. McCarron’s return to the St. Louis Battlehawks was a huge announcement, but the team is still adding talent. Austin Faoliu, a defensive tackle and 2023 All-XFL selection, has signed with the Battlehawks, according to sources.
After playing for the Seattle Seahawks in the NFL, Faoliu joins the team. Prior to joining the practice squad in November, he was on the reserve/PUP list for a portion of the year. He participated in games and had one tackle for the Seahawks in Weeks 17 and 18.
Faoliu was chosen by the Seattle Sea Dragons in the 2022 Draft before joining the Seahawks. He recorded 24 tackles and one sack while starting every one of the team’s ten games. He finished the season as an All-XFL selection and was rated as the third-best defensive lineman in the XFL by Pro Football Focus.
In 2021, Faoliu was signed by the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted free agent. During the season, he participated in one game and recorded two tackles. Before the Sea Dragons drafted him, Dallas waived him.
Faoliu played in 42 games while with the Oregon Ducks, recording 124 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, five sacks, and three forced fumbles.
The Battlehawks’ current defensive tackles are Antuwan Jackson, Mandy Alonso, and Kevin Atkins. Last season, Atkins started nine out of ten games as St. Louis’ primary starter. Faoliu strengthens an interior defensive line that is already formidable and aims to stop the running game.
The UFL’s season opens against the Michigan Panthers on March 30 and training camp opens on February 23.
