The inaugural season of the United Football League (UFL) kicks off this afternoon at 1 pm ET on FOX! Some background of how this started, the league was created following the merger of the XFL and USFL and it consists of eight teams, four in each conference.
The XFL Conference (Arlington Renegades, DC Defenders, San Antonio Brahmas and St. Louis Battlehawks) and the USFL Conference (Birmingham Stallions, Houston Roughnecks, Memphis Showboats and Michigan Panthers).
Here is a preview of each team’s rosters – taking a look at who are some of the most notable players and ones to keep an eye on throughout this season.
XFL Conference:
Arlington Renegades | Choctaw Stadium (25,000 capacity) | HC Bob Stoops
Offense: Last year’s XFL champions are led by Mr. Spring Football, QB Luis Perez, who has started in every spring football league (AAF, XFL, USFL) and now is ready to defend his title in the UFL. Their run game is expected to be led by former XFL rushing leader (20’) De’Veon Smith and Leddie Brown, who scored two TDs in the XFL championship last year. Notable receivers include two former USC WRs Deontay Burnett and Tyler Vaughns, but the two players to keep an eye on are the tight ends Sal Cannella and Austin Allen – wouldn’t be surprised if they are the focal point of their passing attack. They should have a solid offensive line, led by players with NFL experience such as OTs Bobby Evans (LAR 3rd-rd pick 19’) Adrian Ealy (24, 6 NFL practice squads) G Dru Samia (27, former MIN 4th rd pick)
Defense: This defense should be a pretty solid unit on all ends. Former Oklahoma DT Jalen Redmond could be a breakout star up-front, their linebacker group is filled with notable veterans with a lot of NFL experience such as Vic Beasley, Marquel Lee, Donald Payne, Will Clarke and Tuzar Skipper. Their secondary features CBs Ajene Harris and Jamar Summers who both have plenty of spring football experience and safeties Jamal Carter and Myles Dorn.
Special Teams: Former NFL punter Marquette King is back for his 2nd season w/ the Renegades.
DC Defenders | Audi Field (20,000 capacity) | HC Reggie Barlow
Offense: The other player who could make an argument to be nicknamed “Mr. Spring Football” is QB Jordan Ta’amu, last year’s XFL Offensive Player of the Year passing for 14 TD-3 INT, but struggled in the playoffs (4 TD-5 INT). Ta’amu has plenty of notable weapons with different types of skill sets to throw with NFL experience, including WRs Keke Coutee, Kelvin Harmon, Vyncint Smith, Chris Rowland, TEs Kaden Smith, Alex Ellis and dual-threat RB Pooka Williams. The player to watch is Coutee, the former Texans 3rd-rd pick is making his spring football debut and could easily be one of the top receivers in the league. Most notable OL is center Lamont Gaillard (former ARI 6th-rd pick).
Defense: This defense is filled with notable former NFL players and high draft picks, especially in their secondary which includes former 1st round CBs Deandre Baker and Gareon Conley as well as safeties D.J. Swearinger and Montae Nicholson. Their pass rush is led by last year’s XFL sack leader, Trent Harris.
San Antonio Brahmas | Alamodome (64,000 capacity) | HC Wade Phillips
Offense: Quinten Dormady expected to be the starting QB, but Chase Garbers (24) could be an intriguing player to keep an eye on after spending the past two years on the Raiders practice squad. Also notably on the roster, is the NFL’s CPOY younger brother, Tom Flacco. The backfield will be led by former Steelers 4th round pick Anthony McFarland, who is making his spring football debut and could make an immediate impact. Their receiver group is filled with talented playmakers with completely different skill sets including: former Bills 6th round pick, Marquez Stevenson and Matt Landers provide the speed, Landon Akers is a reliable route runner and T.J. Vasher and Cody Latimer bring the size. Most notable OL is a OT Rashaad Coward.
Defense: This group does not have too many notable names, but does feature several guys with some NFL experience. Some of those players include DBs Teez Tabor (DET 2nd rd pick 17’), Darius Phillips (CIN 5th rd pick 18’), BoPete Keyes and A.J. Hendy. DEs Delontae Scott, Wyatt Ray, Tim Ward, DT Jalen Dalton, and LB Joel Iyiegbuniwe.
Special Teams: The most popular player in the UFL is Brahmas kicker Donald De La Haye, aka YouTube star, ”Deestroying”. Deestroying’s YouTube page has 5.2M subscribers, a former kicker at UCF bursted on the social media scene after losing his eligibility for profiting off his name before NIL was a thing. Their punter is also very notable as well, former LSU & Giants punter Brad Wing.
St. Louis Battlehawks | The Dome at America’s Center (67,277 capacity) | HC Anthony Becht
Offense: The BattleHawks were led last year by veteran QB A.J. McCarron (33), who dominated the league in his first year playing in a spring football league – leading the XFL in TDs (24), completion % and passer rating. He parlayed that into landing a backup gig with the Cincinnati Bengals, but returned to finish what he started. Their running game will be anchored by a notable former Giants veteran RB making his spring football debut, Wayne Gallman (29) and Mataeo Durant (24) in his 2nd year with the team. Their receiver group is led by 6’5” Hakeem Butler who was 1st-team All-XFL last year and include some other notable players including Marcell Ateman, Jerome Kapp (who was featured on the Jets’ Hard Knocks last year), Darrius Shepherd (last year’s XFL ST POY) and Ja’Marcus Bradley/Jeff Thomas are worth keeping an eye on.
Defense: This group doesn’t feature a ton of notable names, but does have enough talent, especially in their secondary to be a formidable group including Ben DeLuca, Dravon Askew-Henry, Brandon Sebastian, Lavert Hill, Tim Harris and Channing Stribling.
USFL Conference:
Birmingham Stallions | Protective Stadium (47,100 capacity) | HC: Skip Holtz
Offense: This league is perfect for young quarterbacks that are looking to prove they are capable of sticking in the NFL, and this could be the perfect opportunity for former Ole Miss QB Matt Corral. In Corral’s final two seasons at Ole Miss, he threw 49 TD-19 INT with high completion % in the SEC. Corral just turned 25 years old, and has all the talent to thrive in this league and potentially be one of the top players if he can put it all together. If he can’t get it done they’ll look to QB J’Mar Smith.
Their backfield includes former Chargers 6th round pick Larry Rountree III. Their receiving group includes a ton of receivers that had notable college careers at big schools including former Clemson & NFL WRs Amari Rodgers and Deon Cain, former Ohio St WR Binjimen Victor and Notre Dame WR Kevin Austin Jr. Rodgers is a intriguing player to watch, the former Packers 3rd round pick is only 24 years old and could be a breakout star. The tight ends include 3 players with NFL experience Jace Sternberger, Marcus Baugh and Jordan Thomas and their offensive line should be one of the top in the league.
Defense: The defensive front is led by former Cowboys 1st round pick, DE Taco Charlton and has several other players with NFL experience including Jonathan Garvin, Jaylen Twyman. Their LB group is led by DeMarquis Gates, who always dominates every time he steps on a spring football field. Safety Kenny Robinson returns to spring football after being the first player to be ever drafted from the XFL in 2020.
Houston Roughnecks | Rice Stadium (47,000 capacity) | HC Curtis Johnson
Offense: Former Tennessee/Washington St QB Jarrett Guarantano will compete with Reid Sinnett throughout the season for the starting job. The Roughnecks hope one of the two could step up and provide consistency, but if neither do, they might have to go acquire another QB or it could get ugly. Their RBs aren’t household names, but they each have different skill sets that could work well with one another, Mark Thompson is a bruising back, Tiyon Evans and T.J. Pledger have the potential to make some noise. At WR, they are not a deep group but should be able to rely on veteran Cyril Grayson’s experience and Steven Dunbar could be a solid option. Their offensive line has the potential to struggle.
Defense: The most notable defensive player is former 49ers 1st round LB Reuben Foster, who returns for his 2nd season in a spring football league. Other notable players include DE Chris Odom and CBs Jimmy Moreland and Corn Elder. For the most part, their linebacker and secondary groups appear to lack depth.
Memphis Showboats | Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium (58,325 capacity) | HC John DeFilippo
Offense: The offense is led by former Philadelphia Stars QB Case Cookus, who played two years for the team in the USFL. Their two lead running backs have plenty of spring football experience, the bulldozing Darius Victor and all-around back Trey Williams. Their receiver group is led by Jonathan Adams and another notable name is Vinny Papale, the son of Vince Papale Sr., whose career was the basis of the 2006 film Invincible. TE Sage Surratt is an intriguing option to keep an eye on. Most notable OL is veteran tackle Jarron Jones.
Defense: This group does not have many notable names – some notables include OLB Tyshun Render, who was the prospect that Bill Belichick once scouted in the pouring rain, as well as S T.J. Green, DTs John Atkins, P.J. Hall and Daylon Mack.
Michigan Panthers | Ford Field (65,000 capacity) | HC Mike Nolan
Offense: The quarterback group includes former Michigan St QB Brian Lewerke and NFL journeyman Danny Etling, who most recently spent time on the Packers practice squad is looking to prove himself. Etling is the guy to keep an eye on, he has plenty of NFL locker room experience and has showcased during the preseason that he has pretty sneaky athleticism, which could bode well in this league. Matt Colburn, Nate McCrary and Wes Hills are not household names, but are each talented and could form a nice trio backfield. Their receivers have a few notable names including slot-WR Trey Quinn, former Eagles 5th round pick John Hightower and Devin Gray.
Defense: The secondary is led by former NFL safety Kai Nacua, the older brother of Rams rookie sensation, Pooka. They should have a solid defensive line, which includes several players with NFL experience, such as former Chiefs 2nd round pick Breeland Speaks and the linebacker group should be led by Noah Dawkins, who just had a stint with the Buccaneers.
Off The Gridiron 