After the Stallions’ exciting 30-26 victory over the Battlehawks, head coach Skip Holtz answered a question concerning his linebacking corps in such manner.
One of the top linebacker groupings in the UFL was starting for the Birmingham Stallions this season. The Stallions added DeMarquis Gates, Chris Orr, and Kyahva Tezino, three previous All-USFL players, to their roster in addition to returning starter Scooby Wright.
The group was so strong that, during a preseason interview for the State of the Stallions podcast, general manager Zach Potter of the Birmingham Stallions remarked that the linebackers might be the team’s deepest unit.
But as the season has progressed, that depth has vanished. Initially, it was Orr, who gave up playing football to focus on his coaching career.
It was Scooby Wright after that. After suffering a severe neck injury in week four against his old team, the D.C. Defenders, Wright, who has battled injuries for years, announced his retirement.
Only Gates and Tezino remained among the elite quartet. But Gates was hurt early in the sixth-week matchup with Memphis and was unable to play again. Later, he was ruled out of the Stallions’ pivotal Week 7 game against the St. Louis Battlehawks, who are currently atop the XFL.
And then there was one, indeed. However, turns out that one was all they needed.
Week 7: Kyahva Tezino’s Heroism
In the Stallions’ match against the Titans in week seven, Kyahva Tezino once again showed her mettle by recording seven tackles, four of which were solo. But his most important play of the game—which was not a tackle—came towards the finish. With 46 seconds remaining in the game, the Birmingham Stallions blocked a punt and returned the ball to the Battlehawks, who were now down four. A. J. McCarron, the quarterback for the Battlehawks, dropped back to pass on fourth and two from the Stallions 39. Tezino was there to break up his attempt to find star wide receiver Jahcour Pearson over the middle on a five-yard “over-the-ball” route, thereby securing the victory for the Stallions.
Alongside his colleagues, Tezino blasted along the sideline, raising the record-breaking Birmingham crowd and taking off his helmet.
Holtz discussed Tezino’s significance to the team after the game.
“It is great to have Tezino there because of his skill level, competitive spirit, attitude, intangibles, and style of play—he is a leader in the game.”Yes, I’m happy he’s here.
After signing Tezino, it was apparent that you had a very crowded room. I recall when you first started talking in the offseason, it was like, “Well, you got Gates, and you got Scooby, and you got Lloyd, and you got Sullivan.” Next, there was one…and there is a warrior within of them. He’s really good, and he’s in the lead. That’s why I’m happy to have him, his leadership, and his play.
We had a game against him the previous year; the young man is well respected. It’s one of those situations where, well, what happens if you can’t beat them? Accompany them. After he had, I believe, twelve tackles against us, we said to him, “Son, I want you on our roster.”We made every effort to sign him when he became a free agent. It was good to get him signed, and I think [General Manager Zach Potter of the Stallions] worked pretty hard to try to sign him. It wasn’t until a few games in when your other starters are out that I realised how important of a component of the jigsaw it would be.
Defensive Player of the Year?
Last year, Jarren Horton, the former defensive coordinator of the Pittsburgh Maulers, led Tezino in that 12-tackle effort against the Stallions. In the “Around the UFL” segment airing on Monday, Horton discussed his evaluation of Tezino from the previous two seasons.
“With all due respect to Frank Ginda, but I believe Tez should have won the Defensive Player of the Year award in the USFL last season. He is, in my opinion, the Defensive Player of the Year [in the UFL] this year. I’m happy Tez is now having the opportunity to showcase his abilities and prove his worth, and if he keeps up his current pace, he should win the Defensive Player of the Year award as well.”
There is a compelling argument to be made for Tezino even though there are other outstanding defensive players available. On the league’s top defence, he has been among the greatest performers. Despite not starting multiple games in the early part of the season, he leads the Stallions with 49 tackles. In his seven games, he has also recorded a tackle for loss, a half-sack, and two pass breakups.
Coverage is maybe where he has made the biggest progress in his game. For instance, he had trouble in the first week, allowing five completions on six attempts for 64 yards. He received a 29.1 PFF grade for covering in the game as a result.
But this past week? Once more, Tezino allowed five receptions on six targets, although he only allowed 16 yards—nearly all of which came on a single play. At the end of the game, he broke up the game-winning pass and had one of the highest coverage grades on the squad, 77.9, from PFF.
Stallions Continue to Dominate
Understandably, there has been some worry about the Stallions defence and whether they would have enough depth to close off the season strong as injuries have mounted. But with players like Tezino stepping up to the plate, people’s nerves have subsided. Regardless of the players on the pitch, the Stallions defence remains the best in the league.
As the season nears its conclusion, expect them to maintain their dominance, especially as they continue to improve and centre their play around Kyahva Tezino, their warrior in the centre.
What do you think about Kyahva Tezino’s performance this season with the Birmingham Stallions? Please share your thoughts in the space provided below, or join the discussion on