Team-by-team breakdown and analysis of UFL College Draft picks – USFL Conference

In analyzing the UFL’s 2024 College Draft, a different tact must be taken outside of the norm. Over 80% of those drafted are currently on NFL rosters, and a sizable portion of those may carry over with NFL teams into 2025. Therefore, while their rights will be retained by the UFL teams that drafted them, it’s unclear who – or how many – of these players will actually attend UFL training camps. Rather than try to parse who might or might not be available on an individual basis, I’ll therefore look at this draft strictly from a talent point of view and assume that each player will have an opportunity to play in the UFL in 2025. With that preface out of the way, here is my analysis of the UFL Conference teams’ draft classes.

Birmingham Stallions

Stallions general manager Zach Potter leaned into the offensive line in this draft, knowing that it’s arguably the most difficult position to find suitable players in an alternative league like the UFL. Stockpiling bodies at the position isn’t a bad idea. Curiously, the players he drafted don’t offer a lot of positional flexibility beyond offensive tackle. Many of the players drafted offer a wealth of experience in terms of games played and started.

Birmingham didn’t stray too much from the consensus of draftniks as many of these players had NFL draftable or fringe draftable grades from the experts. The Stallions didn’t have many holes to patch here so they were able to stick to a best player available theme. That philosophy is all well and good but it also makes it less likely those higher-level players will make it to the UFL next year as opposed to sticking in the NFL.

Best pick: He’s not a candidate to get down and dirty as a blocker, but TE Dallin Holker will offer a pass-catching threat in the slot. He can line up at various spots to create mismatches for the Stallions. Birmingham didn’t get a lot of production in the pass game outside of Jace Sternberger at TE, so the addition of Holker could allow the team to use more two tight-end sets to give defenses a different look.

Questionable pick: While WR Ahmarean Brown‘s 4.37 speed is intriguing, he was never able to duplicate his freshman season production in college. Birmingham has an embarrassment of riches at receiver, notably in the slot, so it’s hard to see a path for Brown to get playing time.

Most intriguing pick: Perhaps the most notable pick of the entire UFL Draft was QB Sam Hartman in round nine. If this was based solely on production, Hartman would’ve gone much higher. But in measuring the probability that Hartman would ever actually make it to the UFL, a late-round flier seems right. Hartman could end up making the Washington Commanders’ 53-man roster out of training camp. At worst, it’s hard to see him not sticking on the practice squad. The Stallions would retain Hartman’s rights in perpetuity, so this may be a play for further down the line than 2025.

Houston Roughnecks

Before even getting into the results of Houston’s draft, it must be noted that the team changed general managers following the season. Lionel Vital retired and the team brought in former San Antonio Brahmas director of player personnel Will Lewis to replace him. The Roughnecks took a different approach to this draft than other teams, focusing on players not currently under NFL contract. All but one of their picks are eligible to sign with the UFL at any moment. Houston is a team that could benefit from a significant roster overhaul, and choosing players who are more likely to be available once training camp rolls around is one way to do that.

The downside is you’re foregoing potential quality for availability. That’s not to say there isn’t talent in this group, though few would project immediately as starters, even on a rebuilding Roughnecks squad. Also worth noting: Houston was one of two teams that opted not to draft a quarterback, despite what some would consider a drastic need at that position for the them.

Best pick: The UFL could be a meaningful proving ground for DE Eyabi Okie. He was the highest-rated player taken by Houston, though there’s definitely a boom-or-bust factor here. If NFL teams continue to be wary of Okie’s background throughout this season, he could have a significant chip on his shoulder if he decides to enter the UFL. The question will be, if head coach Curtis Johnson returns, is he the type of coach that can provide the needed discipline for Okie? That remains to be seen.

Questionable pick: Houston opted to take two tight ends despite that position being a non-factor in the team’s offense in 2024, at least in the pass game. They have several block-first types on the roster and added another one in TE Malcolm Epps. The Roughencks offense is at its best when it can pound the rock to open up the pass game, and perhaps they see Epps’s blocking skills as a way to do that. Given the TEs on their roster currently, it felt like other holes could’ve been addressed with this pick.

Intriguing pick: The last round is the perfect time to take a flier on a project, which is exactly what TE Geor’quraius Spivey is. Spivey began his career at Mississippi State before transferring to TCU. When he tried to transfer back to MSU, he was deemed ineligible just prior to the first week of the 2023 season, forcing him to sit out the entire year. It’s a lost year of development for a player still raw, and that development is exactly what the UFL can offer. NFL teams have been sniffing around Spivey (he has received three tryouts since the NFL Draft) but his size and speed combo (4.58 40) could bring a pass-catching dimension to the position that Houston lacked in 2023.

Memphis Showboats

Memphis, which had the number one overall pick in the draft by virtue of their win over the Houston Roughnecks in week 10, chose QB Jason Bean with that first selection. It’s an interesting choice given who else was available at that position, knowing head coach John DeFilippo has an extensive background as a QB coach and offensive coordinator. None of the three quarterbacks that started games for the Showboats stood out consistently, though an argument could be made that Case Cookus earned the benefit of the doubt and should enter 2025 as the starter. Taking a QB number one overall indicates Memphis doesn’t necessarily agree with that line of thinking.

Notably, the Showboats got much more dynamic on offense with the additions of Bean, Blake Watson, Jalen Cross and Mason Tipton. Athleticism and speed among skill position players needed an upgrade, and they got it here. The surprise was waiting until the sixth round to take their first offensive lineman, given that many of the shortcomings on offense can be traced back to the ineffectiveness along the line. Andrew Raym was also their only O-Line choice. Perhaps Showboats brass believes it better to add veterans at that spot rather than rely on rookies. Half of the selections participated in multiple post-season all-star games, indicating the possibility that decision-makers prioritized the film and competition found at these events.

Best pick: One of just eight non-FBS players selected among the 80 in the UFL Draft, WR Mason Tipton found himself on draft radars after running a blazing 4.33 40 at his pro day. There are size and level of competition concerns, but Tipton is a contender to man the slot and could develop into a gadget player that Memphis could benefit from featuring on offense.

Questionable pick: When you hold the first overall pick, you’re naturally going to open yourself up to second-guessing no matter who is chosen. Given all of the accomplished college quarterbacks the team could’ve taken with that pick, QB Jason Bean is an interesting one. He was the first of seven QBs selected in the draft and if any of them make it to the UFL, their performances will be compared to Bean’s. Did Memphis choose who they felt was the best QB? Or did they choose who they felt was the best QB that actually might have a chance of playing for them? Currently on the Colts, Bean is listed on their roster as a QB/WR. If he doesn’t get much in the way of snaps in practice or in the preseason at QB, that’s a lack of development that will put him behind other rookies who may be entering the UFL next year.

Intriguing pick: To play for the Owls, you have to be Temple Tough, and LB Yvandy Rigby exemplified that ideal. He overcame various injuries during his college career (he played in double-digit games just once) to be a leader on Temple’s squad. For as much attention as Memphis’s offensive woes have gotten, their defense was even worse. Any defensive pick in this draft, should they report to training camp in 2025, could have a chance to contribute. Putting the athletic, hungry Rigby in the middle of the Showboats’ defense should at the very least improve their run D. He also has the experience and attitude to stand out on special teams.

Michigan Panthers

Michigan worked to fortify their offensive line in this draft, using 40% of their draft capital there. They addressed multiple positions along the line, including the most glaring need, offensive tackle, with their first and fourth picks. The Panthers got on the QB board by selecting Rocky Lombardi, someone more likely to be in play for them next year than many of the other quarterbacks selected in this draft. How much he improves the QB room is a legitimate question given the options the Panthers currently have at their disposal.

While the UFL once again eschewed the idea of allowing teams to make territorial selections, there was a distinct Michigan flavor with these picks: Three spent time at colleges in the state and a fourth, DE Isaac Ukwu, is signed to the Detroit Lions.

Best pick: When you think of Big Ten offensive linemen, you tend to think powerful, gritty, and unathletic. G JD Duplain may be the first two, but he’s hardly the third. In watching Duplain the last two years, I found him surprisingly agile, showing good movement skills side-to-side and able to handle large defensive tackles well. He’s also a technician who knows the angles in a blocking scheme. Duplain may yet get picked up by an NFL team this summer (he’s the only Michigan pick not currently under contract to a team), but if not, he could be a factor in the offensive line competition in 2025.

Questionable pick: In these days of frequent transfers, you often see players jumping a level, betting on themselves in the process. DE Isaac Ukwu made the move from the Sun Belt Conference to the SEC, a big step up in competition. He dominated at James Madison before taking his talents to Ole Miss for his final year. Ukwu is a bit of a projection given that he only made five starts for the Rebels in 2023. In a vacuum, this isn’t a bad pick; my question is the value in the third round.

Intriguing pick: Michigan has a role for the safety/LB hybrid on its defense – it’s a position we saw Bryce Torneden play in 2024. Fitting that profile is LB Isaiah Stalbird. At 5’11” and 221 pounds, he’s a bit undersized for a traditional LB spot, so perhaps a more specialized role will fit Stalbird’s skills. He’s also a winner, having participated in South Dakota State’s back-to-back FCS Championships in 2023 and 2024. Those kinds of players are always welcome on a roster.