ESM spoke to New York Guardians receiver and top pick DeAngelo Yancey about his hopes for the XFL and his potential return.

First-round picks of the New York football variety are often met with their first boos months before they play their first snap. DeAngelo Yancey escaped such a fate, if only because the XFL’s October draft wasn’t televised.

The receiver, however, is more than willing to admit that such a status places additional pressure on him, pressure he’s happy to embrace.

“I feel a little bit (of pressure), just from not being out here,” Yancey told ESM. “I just want to be out here more and more with my guys as the season rolls on.”

“I’m here to play football. I haven’t played in a meaningful game in a while. So going out there with a team to compete, that has a chance to come out first in the division, will be great.”

With the New York Guardians approaching the midway mark of their ten-game inaugural season, Yancey hasn’t graced the MetLife Stadium turf just yet, relegated to injured reserve due to a leg injury.

The practice field of  Torne Valley Athletic Complex is another story. Yancey, the first player the Guardians, chose in the XFL player draft, partook in drills as the Guardians prepare for a Saturday visit to North Texas to battle the Dallas Renegades (5:00 p.m. ET, Fox).

After practice at the Hillburn, NY facility, Yancey also spoke to ESM about his XFL prospects. To say he’s yearning to return to a professional football field would be the understatement of the year.

“I feel good. Relieved! I’m finally back out here with the boys. I was ready to get back out there and play some football,” Yancey said. “I’ve been itching to get back out here. It was good, it was cool. I felt fine. I feel good physically and I’m mentally ready to get back.”

Yancey has certainly had his share of “meaningful” games. A two-sport athlete from Atlanta, the 25-year-old joined the ranks of the Big Ten at Purdue after starring at Benjamin Elijah Mays High School. He continues to rank in the top ten of Boilermakers’ history in receiving and scoring.

A fifth-round selection awaited in the 2017 NFL Draft, but he never played a down for his selectors from Green Bay.  He hovered on the practice squads of the Packers and, ironically, the New York Jets.

Neither he or the team were ready to commit to his status for the weekend visit to Globe Life Park in Arlington. Yancey has yet to put a down on his XFL ledger, but he’s looking forward to making an impact if and when his number is called.

New York’s offense has struggled in the early going sans Yancey. The Guardians were the victims of the first shutout in XFL history their second outing in Washington DC, part of a streak where they failed to reach the end zone on 26 consecutive drives. Starting quarterback Matt McGloin missed their most recent contest last Saturday at home, but substitute thrower Luis Perez mustered enough traction to earn a 17-14 victory over the Los Angeles Wildcats.

The win pushed the Guardians (2-2) back into the XFL playoff picture. They’re currently tied with the DC Defenders for the Eastern Division’s de facto wild card spot, trailing the 3-1 St. Louis BattleHawks with six weeks to go in the season.

Yancey was eligible to come off of the injured reserve list against the Wildcats but was nonetheless held out. New York could certainly use his assistance against the Renegades, who currently top the Western Division in defense (308 yards per game). Yancey said he was “hoping” to partake, willing to be “squeezed in any way” he can.

In statements to ESM, both Yancey and New York offensive coordinator G.A. Mangus are confident about the direction the offense is headed as they enter this crucial interconference showdown.

“We got into a rhythm on Saturday,” Yancey said. “That’s the main thing, just getting in a rhythm. When you get off schedule, that’s when things go erratic. Staying in rhythm is the best thing for any football team.”

“We are getting better up front (on offense) and we’re matching on offense,” Mangus said. “We had a great improvement on third down (against Los Angeles) and can still get better. That gave us more plays, more reps, let us win the time of possession battle. The defensive guys love when we can keep the ball for 33-34 minutes.”

Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags