2024 UFL St. Louis Battlehawks Season Summary

This is part six of what will be an eight-part look at each UFL team’s 2024 season.

Part One: Houston Roughnecks

Part Two: Memphis Showboats

Part Three: Arlington Renegades

Part Four: DC Defenders

Part Five: Michigan Panthers

What went right

St. Louis made the playoffs after losing out on a technicality last year. QB AJ McCarron followed up his strong 2023 season with a stellar 2024, throwing 15 touchdowns and just four interceptions. When RB Mataeo Durant went down with a season-ending injury, Jacob Saylors stepped up and the run game didn’t miss a beat. WR Hakeem Butler continued to dominate on the outside. The offensive line returned all five starters from last year, and the continuity showed through their play on the field. The defense improved from 2023 under second-year coordinator Donnie Abraham. Willie Harvey led the UFL in tackles from his linebacker spot. K Andre Szmyt had an excellent season and LB Chris Garrett won the league’s Special Teams Player of the Year Award, blocking two punts and finishing second in the league in special teams tackles. The Battlehawks were the least-penalized team in the league by a significant margin. There wasn’t much fan fatigue as the team continued to average over 30,000 for its five home dates.

What went wrong

Injuries at key positions hampered St. Louis throughout the season. WR Jahcour Pearson missed the first few games following a training camp knee injury and when he returned, the team was never able to integrate him into the offense effectively. Durant, LB Mike Rose, and McCarron were other front-line contributors that were out for stretches, with McCarron’s injury dogging him at the end and playing a part in the loss to San Antonio in the XFL Conference Championship game. St. Louis was last in the league in 3rd down conversions and some of offensive coordinator Bruce Gradkowski’s play calls in those situations came under scrutiny. Despite 14 takeaways, the offense converted them into just 20 points.

Offensive MVP

You could make an argument for Saylors or McCarron here, but I’m going to go with WR Hakeem Butler. For the second year in a row, Butler showed out as one of the top players at his position in spring football. He’s still plagued by the occasional drop, but the Battlehawks are willing to put up with those concentration lapses because of what he can do when he does catch it. Butler led the UFL in receiving yardage and scored five touchdowns, the one consistent presence in the wide receiver corps. Butler’s ability to attract coverage also allows his teammates to make plays. He provided a much-needed vertical threat, the only St. Louis receiver to average more than 12.2 yards per catch (he ended with 14.5).

Defensive MVP

No one made more impact plays than LB Willie Harvey, Jr. Harvey collected 21 more tackles than second place in that category for the Battlehawks. He also led the team with nine tackles for loss and had four sacks. Perhaps most surprisingly, he paced the team in pass break-ups with six. It’s unusual for anyone other than a defensive back to lead in that statistic. As the starting weakside linebacker, Harvey took on a bigger role when Rose, the middle linebacker, when down with an injury that caused him to miss the final few games. Harvey was one of the first UFL players to sign back into the NFL, agreeing to join the Dallas Cowboys.

Special Teams MVP

It was a bit of a surprise when LB Chris Garrett was released at the end of training camp. A former seventh-round draft pick of the Los Angeles Rams, Garrett was thought to at least be a candidate to back up one of the starters at the second level of the defense. Re-signed after week one, Garrett ended up being one of the best special teams coverage players in the league. Head coach Anthony Becht later admitted he erred in initially cutting Garrett from the roster. Per Pro Football Focus, Garett played the most special teams snaps for one of the league’s best ST units, and also was the highest-graded player on that unit.

Most likely to succeed (in getting NFL opportunities)

For the second year in a row, OT Jaryd Jones-Smith is off to the NFL. He’s already been joined by Saylors and Harvey. The Battlehawks had by far the most players out of the XFL garnering tryouts and NFL contracts last year, and it could be headed in that direction once again. It will be interesting to see if any opportunity arises for McCarron, and if so, whether he takes it. Butler will be in the conversation for another shot, as well he should. With a premium being placed on coverage players on kickoffs once again, Garrett could get a long look from a team given his performance this year. It could be a similar story for KR Darrius Shepherd. Szmyt had one workout already and if he doesn’t get signed immediately, should be a player brought in for mid-season workouts if injuries strike the position.

QB concern level for 2025 (1-5)

McCarron is a competitor, so he can’t be happy with the way he and the Battlehawks went out in 2024, hobbled and not able to put his best foot forward (literally). That could drive McCarron to return in 2025, perhaps for one more rodeo. McCarron clearly cares about football in St. Louis and has already stated his desire to be involved with the UFL and the Battlehawks when his on-field career is over. Just when that will be is the big question. Manny Wilkins proved he isn’t the long-term answer behind McCarron, though he’s adequate for a spot start or mop-up duty. Surprisingly, spring veteran Brandon Silvers could never overtake Wilkins for the number two role. McCarron will be 34 years old when next season rolls around, and St. Louis needs to start thinking about his heir apparent, even if he does come back. Assuming McCarron gives it another go, this is a 2. 

Head coach hot seat rating (1-5)

Make no mistake, Anthony Becht’s goal is to become a head coach in the NFL. His success in the UFL may pave the way. Becht’s coaching resume was thin when he was hired in 2022, but he quickly alleviated any doubts those from the outside had about his acumen at the job. He has now guided St. Louis to back-to-back 7-3 regular season records. Becht is engaging and social media-savvy, which is helpful for a league trying to attract an audience. He “gets” St. Louis and has been a great ambassador for the city. His seat is pretty cool. In fact, I’d say it’s at a 1.

Offseason needs for 2025

As stated earlier, a young, backup QB would give the people of St. Louis a little more confidence if something happens to McCarron. The starters on the offensive line are solid, but they could use a little more depth, especially if Jones-Smith sticks in the NFL this year. It’s not easy to adequately replace a starting left tackle in an alternative football league. Travis Feeney and Pita Taumoepenu were accomplished pass-rushers off the edge. They were really the only threats, so adding some more bodies that can get to the quarterback would help improve the defense. The defensive line lacks playmakers, though that may be by design in Donnie Abraham’s system.