The signings just keep on coming for the Houston Roughnecks. Just this week alone, new GM Will Lewis has cleaned house – cutting 16 players, and adding over 20 more. In their latest scoop, Houston has added the following athletes:
WR T.J. Vasher
DE Cedric Wilcots II
LB Xavier Benson
S Tra Fluellen
They also signed QB Davius Richard – the HBCU star – yesterday. For a full breakdown of what he brings to the table, check out our piece from yesterday on the matter.
WR T.J. Vasher
WR T.J. Vasher has signed a Letter Of Intent with the Houston Roughnecks, per @uflanalyst.
Vasher had 173 yards & 2 TD’s with the @XFLBrahmas in 2023.
He was with San Antonio for a bit in 2024, but now returns to original GM Will Lewis with the @XFLRoughnecks. #UFL pic.twitter.com/TGnTif9BKa
— James Larsen (@JamesLarsenPFN) July 25, 2024
Not surprisingly, Will Lewis has brought T.J. Vasher back to a roster he’s working with. Lewis was the GM for the Brahmas during the 2023 XFL season, so it makes sense to see the two reunite.
In 2023, Vasher recorded 173 receiving yards and two touchdowns with San Antonio. While he made the roster in 2024, he wasn’t utilized at all by the new leadership, and was released during the season. Vasher had just two offensive snaps during his campaign in 2024.
Great start for the @XFLBrahmas, as Jack Coan fires a dart to T.J. Vasher for the score. San Antonio takes a quick 7-0 lead in Houston. #XFL | @XFL2023 pic.twitter.com/RfBzPcn2rc
— James Larsen (@JamesLarsenPFN) March 6, 2023
T.J. Vasher had a tremendous college campaign with Texas Tech, recording over 1,900 receiving yards and 21 touchdowns. He’s a playmaker who should, without a doubt, make some noise in Training Camp this year.
DE Cedric Wilcots II
#Roughnecks have agreed to terms with former New Mexico State DE Cedric Wilcots II.
Wilcots II spent five years with the Aggies from 2015 to 2019, where he was fourth in program history in sacks made (19.5).
He was with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and Hamilton Ti-Cats (CFL) in… pic.twitter.com/aqEGxyp3So
— UFLCenter (@UFLCenter) July 26, 2024
Cedric Wilcots is an intriguing prospect to add to the defensive line. He was fantastic at New Mexico State, with 109 tackles and 19.5 sacks to his name (4th most in program history). In 2017, he earned All-Sun Belt First Team honors.
After college, Wilcots spent some time in the CFL. He was with Winnipeg and Hamilton in 2022, posting four total tackles and a sack that season with both teams. In 2023, Cedric saw action in one game for Hamilton, registering a tackle.
My first Pro Sack #AllGod 🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/ftsnMDwixA
— Cedric Wilcots II (@CedricWilcots10) October 24, 2022
Now, he’ll look to strengthen Houston’s line ahead of the 2025 UFL season. With all of the injuries that the Roughnecks dealt with defensively in 2024, reinforcements are a necessity in the offseason.
LB Xavier Benson
#Roughnecks have agreed to terms with LB Xavier Benson, per source.
Benson was Houston’s seventh-round selection in last week’s #UFL College Draft.
He totaled 141 tackles, including 11.5 for a loss, over two seasons (27 games) with Oklahoma St after transferring from Tyler… pic.twitter.com/VOkUNTjYCD
— UFLCenter (@UFLCenter) July 26, 2024
The Houston Roughnecks picked up another one of their college draft picks, adding LB Xavier Benson to the roster. Benson was their seventh round selection, and has now decided to pursue the UFL as he remained a free agent.
Xavier had quite the journey in college. He was at Texas Tech from 2018-2020, but only saw action in the 2019 season; becoming a starter and totaling 57 tackles, four TFL’s, and a sack. In 2021, he made the move to Tyler JC – and dominated. Benson racked up a whopping 120 tackles in 12 games, with eight TFL’s and two interceptions that year.
Xavier Benson transferred to Oklahoma State for his final two years of eligibility. Across that span, he compiled 141 tackles, 11.5 TFL’s, 1.5 sacks, and three PBU’s.
Another huge day for LB Xavier Benson
7 tackles, 6 solo, 1 sack & 3 TFLs
He also had a handful or so of hurries & hits on Gabriel that don’t show in the stat sheet. This dude plays every play to win! Well Done @Zayyy_Benson!#GoPokes #OkState #CowboyFootball #PistolsFiring pic.twitter.com/prtaBzsiXR— OState Daily (@Ostate_Daily) November 5, 2023
See also
Benson is a versatile linebacker with plenty of upside, and one that should make a legitimate impact in Houston.
S Tra Fluellen
Breaking: S Tra Fluellen has signed his Letter Of Intent with the Houston Roughnecks, per @uflanalyst.
Tra was the second round draft pick for the @XFLRoughnecks in the #UFL College Draft.
Totaled 197 tackles, 5 INT, & 16 PBU’s at MTSU. Another big pickup for H-Town. pic.twitter.com/7jmxDOSSxo
— James Larsen (@JamesLarsenPFN) July 25, 2024
An exciting pickup for the Roughnecks is the addition of safety Tra Fluellen – who was their second pick in the UFL College Draft this year.
Tra began his college career at Houston Baptist, playing there for two seasons in 2019 and 2020. During that time, he posted 126 tackles and three interceptions. Their 2020 campaign was cut short, with only four games played.
In 2021, Fluellen made the move to MTSU. He became a starter in 2022, leading the team with 104 tackles that year – while posting four TFL’s, two interceptions, and eight PBU’s. The quality play continued in 2023, as he registered 64 tackles, three picks, and three PBU’s.
They won’t understand how to trust the process till they go through something……. WATCH ME WORK
NEVER CHANGE 🖤 pic.twitter.com/ly2leb6Cr7
— Tra fluellen (@tra_fluellen) December 21, 2023
Tra Fluellen dealt with an injury in November of 2023, but has fully recovered and is ready to return to the football field.
Final Thoughts
To be clear, all of these players are signing Letters Of Intent right now. These are not official contracts, as those won’t be signed until Training Camp begins. There is no guarantee that every LOI addition will make it to Training Camp, either.
That being said, the Houston Roughnecks have been extremely aggressive this offseason, and for good reason. Their 1-9 record in 2024 under C.J. Johnson won’t cut it in 2025. Will Lewis is making sure that no stone goes unturned, having already adjusted well over 1/3 of this roster.
What are your thoughts on Xavier Benson and Tra Fluellen already signing UFL contracts? Will Houston benefit from the additions of Cedric Wilcots II and T.J. Vasher? Let us know down in the comments below, or join the conversation on Discord!
