Canadian offensive lineman Sage Doxtater is extending his stay south of the border, signing with the XFL’s Houston Roughnecks on Friday.
Doxtater was selected 12th overall in the second round of the 2021 CFL Draft by the Toronto Argonauts but opted to return to school for his additional year of COVID eligibility. He signed with the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent in 2022 but was waived with an elbow injury following training camp.
The 23-year-old briefly spent time on the Arizona Cardinals’ practice roster, only to be released in November. After a string of NFL workouts, he rejoined the Saints’ practice squad in January but was not signed to a reserve/futures contract following the season.
A member of the Oneida Nation of the Thames, Doxtater started 48 games over five seasons at left tackle for New Mexico State. He measured in at six-foot-six and 317 pounds at his pro day and put up 27 reps on the bench press. He also ran a 5.40-second forty-yard dash, leaped a 28-inch vertical and eight-foot, five-inch broad jump, and ran a 4.99-second short shuttle and 8.17-second three-cone drill.
The Canadian prospect does not believe his NFL opportunities are at an end and will attempt to use the XFL to return to the world’s top league before next season. He is one of two members of the 2021 CFL Draft class who have delayed signing in Canada in order to join the nascent spring league, joining B.C. Lions’ first-round pick Daniel Joseph of the Seattle Sea Dragons.
