The XFL announced today that former Oklahoma Sooner and Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Landry Jones will be playing in the XFL.

Here is the following press release;

Stamford, Conn., August 15, 2019 – Landry Jones has signed with the XFL.



The former University of Oklahoma standout and Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback will play for one of the XFL’s eight teams.



“We’re excited to welcome Landry to the XFL as our first player and first quarterback,” said XFL Commissioner and CEO, Oliver Luck. “He’s an accomplished athlete with outstanding college credentials and pro experience, and his heart and desire to play football epitomizes the type of individual we want in the XFL.”



“I’m looking forward to joining the XFL and playing the game I love,” said Jones. “I can’t wait to suit-up.”



Jones spent six seasons in the National Football League with the Pittsburgh Steelers and stints with the Oakland Raiders and the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Artesia, New Mexico native attended the University of Oklahoma (2009-12), where he set Big 12 Conference records in passing yards (16,646), completions (1,388) and touchdown passes (123). As a senior, Jones earned All-Big 12 second-team honors. In 2010, he won the Sammy Baugh Award, given to the nation’s top collegiate passer.



The XFL will sign seven other leading quarterbacks before its inaugural player draft in October and each team’s Head Coach will select their quarterback just prior to the draft. Details about the draft will be shared at a later date.

We reported early last week that Jones along with Josh Johnson tried out for the backup QB job for the Detroit Lions. That job went to Josh Johnson.

It looks like Jones will now be focused 100% on the XFL and given the announcement will be one of the tier one quarterback’s in the inaugural XFL draft.

Jones has ties to XFL Dallas head coach Bob Stoops and was personally invited to the XFL Summer Showcase in Dallas by his former head coach at the University of Oklahoma.

Here is a clip of Stoops and Jones on ESPN from back in the day.

Oliver Luck on the Colin Cowherd show talking about the signing of Landry Jones.

“Our first signed player is Landry Jones… We think he’s going to be a star in our league.”@OliverLuckXFL on the former Steelers QB announced as the @xfl2020‘s first player pic.twitter.com/bQ0pMWMu09 — Herd w/Colin Cowherd (@TheHerd) August 15, 2019

XFL puts out a Landry Jones highlight video.

One of the most prolific passers in NCAA history is joining the #XFL.



Here’s a look at what @LandryJones12 can do with a football. pic.twitter.com/nCPBsX82Be — XFL (@xfl2020) August 15, 2019

Landry Jones on joining the XFL