Lost in the noise of the signings of Max Duggan and Chevan Cordeiro, was the news that St. Louis also brought back two familiar faces this week. The Battlehawks have re-signed QB Manny Wilkins, and OL Dohnovan West as the team continues to build towards the 2025 UFL season.
BREAKING: The St. Louis Battlehawks have signed QB Max Duggan and QB Chevan Cordeiro, per @_MLFootball.
They’ve also brought back QB Manny Wilkins who’s spent the last two seasons in STL.
Major haul for the @XFLBattlehawks. Wow. #UFL pic.twitter.com/x8Z3XGrvD9
— James Larsen (@JamesLarsenPFN) December 19, 2024
QB Manny Wilkins
Filling out the quarterback room is Manny Wilkins, who returns to St. Louis for a third season. Wilkins has primarily been a backup for Bruce Gradkowski and Anthony Becht. Manny didn’t see any action at all with the Battlehawks in 2023, as QB3 throughout the majority of the year.
This season, though, told a different story. When A.J. McCarron missed a couple of weeks with an injury, Wilkins stepped in and started in weeks eight and nine. He led St. Louis to a crucial week eight win over DC, but then faltered the following game against Arlington – where he tossed three interceptions in a 36-22 loss.
A PERFECT PICK! 🔒
Steven Jones with the HUGE play, 2 min left in the 4th! #FullThrottle | #RaisinHellpic.twitter.com/I4yP0E7slq
— Arlington Renegades (@XFLRenegades) May 25, 2024
What Manny brings to the table is his athleticism. He’s got a knack for escaping the pocket and using his legs to generate offense. However, as a pure passer, Wilkins struggles. Manny was not accurate this year, completing just 54% of his pass attempts. He threw for 305 yards, with one touchdown to three interceptions.
Manny Wilkins Jr. walks it in for the lead 🔥
What a start to the second half for the @XFLBattlehawks ⚔️ pic.twitter.com/trI8sv70s7
— United Football League (@TheUFL) May 25, 2024
On the ground, he did…