The following is an opinion-based ranking of the eight UFL teams, which will be updated weekly throughout the 2024 season. Please note that players, coaching, prior statistics, and previous-season outcomes are the main factors determining each team’s ranking going into the season.
1. Birmingham Stallions
Birmingham is undoubtedly the team to beat entering the new UFL season.
The Stallions, under Head Coach Skip Holtz, had a combined 21-3 record over their two seasons in the USFL, winning two championships along the way. Their performance encapsulated the definition of sheer dominance. Now, they enter the first season of the UFL coming off an offseason of reloading. Many of their star players from last year earned NFL contracts (e.g., quarterback Alex McGough, wide receiver Davion Davis, defensive tackle Khalil Davis, etc.), leaving some spots to be filled.
Former Ole Miss quarterback Matt Corral and 2021 NFL third-round draft pick Amari Rodgers highlight the additions they made to fill production holes offensively, while All-USFL linebacker Kyahva Tezino and All-USFL cornerback Mark Gilbert highlight pickups on defense. Meanwhile, All-USFL tight end Jace Sternberger, as well as tailback C.J. Marable and wide receiver Deon Cain are all back for Birmingham after earning NFL looks over the offseason.
2. St. Louis Battlehawks
News that quarterback A.J. McCarron would be returning for the 2024 UFL season was huge for the Battlehawks. Even though his team missed the playoffs last season, McCarron was second XFL-wide in passing yardage (2,150 passing yards) and first in passing touchdowns (24 touchdown passes) as he helped lead St. Louis to a 7-3 record. Over the offseason, he spent time in the NFL with the Cincinnati Bengals and even saw live-game action in week 14 against the Indianapolis Colts.
2023 All-XFL wide receiver Hakeem Butler also received an NFL opportunity over the offseason but is back with the Battlehawks for 2024. Pass-catchers Darrius Sheperd and Marcell Ateman are also back, while former New York Giants tailback Wayne Gallman Jr. replaces Brian Hill as the lead-back. Additionally, in the Post-Merger Dispersal Process, St. Louis added All-XFL wide receiver Jahcour Pearson, who sustained an injury during training camp but is expected to return at some point during the season. The pass-protection and run-blocking should be top-tier, as the Battlehawks boast three All-XFL offensive linemen from last year—all of whom are returning Battlehawks: tackle Jaryd Jones-Smith, guard Steven Gonzalez, and center Mike Panasiuk.
On defense, linebacker Pita Taumoepenu, the 2023 XFL Defensive Player of the Year, and All-XFL defensive lineman Austin Faoliu highlight the front seven, while All-XFL cornerback Lavert Hill and Chris Payton-Jones are playmakers to look out for in the secondary.
If the Battlehawks need any extra incentive, the 2024 UFL Championship will be held at their home stadium, The Dome at America’s Center in St. Louis, Missouri.
3. D.C. Defenders
While there are a few production voids on the offensive side that need to be filled, the defense looks to be in great shape. Head Coach Reggie Barlow and the Defenders seem to have all the tools to make another run at a championship.
The Defenders saw a lot of roster turnover in their offense over the offseason. Keke Coutee and Brandon Smith, the only returning pass-catcher for D.C. from last year, highlight the Defenders receiving corps for the 2024 season. Meanwhile, 2023 XFL rushing leader Abram Smith suffered a season-ending injury during training camp, which is a significant blow considering all the offensive production D.C. has already lost from last season, with their top three 2023 receivers not returning. On the bright side, Jordan Ta’amu, last season’s XFL Offensive Player of the Year, is back for another season with the Defenders after a training camp stint with the Minnesota Vikings. With an almost totally different arsenal of weapons, we will see if Ta’amu and the offense can function at the same level as last year.
Defensive Coordinator Gregg Williams has what looks to be one of the best UFL defenses on paper. With the tandem of 2023 All-XFL edge rushers Davin Bellamy and Trent Harris, along with former first-round NFL draft picks Gareon Conley and Deandre Baker joining All-XFL cornerback Michael Joseph in the secondary, opposing offenses will have a tough time counteracting the Defenders defense.
4. Arlington Renegades
The Renegades entered the XFL playoffs last year as underdogs with a 4-6 record, yet managed to upset both the Roughnecks (XFL) and Defenders en route to an XFL Championship. While Arlington’s improbable playoff run was a team effort, quarterback Luis Perez deserves much of the credit. The Renegades had struggled offensively under multiple quarterbacks before trading for Perez midseason. Once Perez took over as the starter, he never gave up his role and went on to play two of the best games of his professional football career during the postseason.
Despite competition from young quarterbacks Lindsey Scott Jr. and Holton Ahlers, Perez has been named the Renegades starting quarterback to begin the season. Wide receivers Tyler Vaughns and Caleb Vander Esch, plus tight end Sal Cannella will be some of Perez’s top passing targets, while bruising tailback De’Veon Smith will take some pressure off the air attack.
During the Post-Merger Dispersal Process, the Renegades seem to have prioritized reinforcing their defensive unit over offense, adding players like cornerback Ajene Harris, defensive lineman LaRon Stokes, and linebacker Vic Beasley, who were key contributors on their respective XFL teams that dissolved with the merger.
While I’m sure the Renegades enjoyed their XFL Championship trophy and the bonus that came with it, perhaps this season they will aim for greater consistency leading up to the postseason. The reigning USFL champion Stallions represent Arlington’s first challenge in demonstrating that their championship victory wasn’t just a fluke.
5. Memphis Showboats
The Showboats finished with a 5-5 record last season under Head Coach Todd Haley but are now under new leadership. Former New Orleans Breakers Head Coach John DeFillipo is taking over in Memphis after the Breakers dissolved with the merger and Haley stepped down.
DeFillipo, who will be the offensive play-caller for the Showboats, has brought some luggage with him. Wide receivers Jonathan Adams, Dee Anderson, and Lee Morris, as well as tight end Sage Surratt are all former Breakers whom Memphis picked up during the Post-Merger Dispersal Process. Combine that with former Philadelphia Stars quarterback Case Cookus, who finished the 2023 USFL season second in both passing yardage (2,294 yards) and passing touchdowns (15 touchdown passes). Plus, the 2022 USFL Offensive Player of the Year, tailback Darius Victor.
Defensively, Carnell Lake remains the Showboats’ defensive coordinator. Newcomers Christian McFarland, from Birmingham, and Jarey Elder, from New Orleans, bolster the secondary. At the same time, former Breakers linebacker Vontae Diggs and 2023 All-USFL defensive tackle John Atkins, a returning player for Memphis, are critical players up front.
6. San Antonio Brahmas
With his old team dissolving, former Houston Roughnecks (XFL) Head Coach Wade Phillips has stepped in as the head coach for the Brahmas. Like DeFillipo, Phillips has brought a number of his former Roughnecks to his new team: 2023 All-XFL center Alex Mollette, tailback Brycen Alleyne, wide receivers Jontre Kirklin and Justin Smith, defensive end Tim Ward, and linebacker Tavantae Beckett, among others.
In A.J. Smith’s offense, week one starting quarterback Chase Garbers will have many weapons. Along with Kirklin and Smith, returning Brahmas T.J. Vasher and Landen Akers are receivers to watch out for. The Brahmas also added 2023 All-XFL tight end Cody Latimer to complement Alize Mack. Latimer finished last season third in receiving yardage (593 yards) with the Orlando Guardians, while Mack recorded 28 receptions for 230 yards with San Antonio.
Phillips and his staff inherited a very good Brahmas defense from last year. Linebacker Jordan Williams, the 2023 XFL tackles leader (89), and standout defensive end Delontae Scott unite with 2023 All-XFL defensive lineman Caeveon Patton, as well as Beckett and Ward from Houston.
7. Houston Roughnecks
The Roughnecks have arguably the best defensive front seven in the UFL with the sheer star-power it features. 2022 USFL Defensive Player of the Year Chris Odom, two-time All-USFL defensive tackle Toby Johnson, 2023 All-USFL defensive end Adam Rodgriguez, and 2022 Pittsburgh Maulers sack leader Carlos Kemp make up key pieces on the defensive line, while former NFL first-round draft pick Reuben Foster and former Philadelphia Star Gabriell Sewell highlight the linebacking corps. There are a few question marks in the secondary, with Donald Rutledge Jr. as the only returning Roughnecks safety and an almost entirely new group of cornerbacks.
Offensively, I’m a little bit concerned about the quality of quarterbacks. Jarrett Guaranto has been named the starter, whom we haven’t seen much of professionally. Reid Sinnett and Nolan Henderson are his backups. Mark Thompson, the 2023 USFL Offensive Player of the Year, who’s questionable for the Roughnecks’ season opener, will be Houston’s biggest offensive threat. Slowing him down will be the key for each defense that faces the Roughnecks.
8. Michigan Panthers
Head Coach Mike Nolan enters his second season at the helm for the Panthers. Nolan’s defense features three former All-USFL players: linebacker Frank Ginda, defensive end Breeland Speaks, and safety Bryce Tornedon. Last season, Ginda was the USFL Defensive Player of the Year, while Speaks was the USFL sacks leader (9.0). Tornedon’s All-USFL honors came in 2022 with the Pittsburgh Maulers, but he was still a key contributor throughout Pittsburgh’s run at the USFL Championship last season.
Meanwhile, the Panthers have a brand-new offensive system, with former Philadelphia Stars Offensive Coordinator Marcel Bellefeuille taking over for Eric Marty. It hasn’t been confirmed yet, but E.J. Perry, who impressed after taking over as the Panthers’ starter down the stretch last season, is the likely starting quarterback. Matt Colburn II and All-USFL tailback Wes Hills make up Michigan’s one-two punch in the backfield.
There are a few playmakers on each side of the ball for the Panthers, but I don’t think it is enough compared to other teams. Last year, the Panthers were able to squeak into the USFL playoffs with a 4-6 record. But the odds of a sub-.500 team making the playoffs now, with the competition stiffened after the merger, have shrunk tremendously.
Birmingham is undoubtedly the team to beat entering the new UFL season.
News that quarterback A.J. McCarron would be returning for the 2024 UFL season was huge for the Battlehawks. Even though his team missed the playoffs last season, McCarron was second XFL-wide in passing yardage (2,150 passing yards) and first in passing touchdowns (24 touchdown passes) as he helped lead St. Louis to a 7-3 record. Over the offseason, he spent time in the NFL with the Cincinnati Bengals and even saw live-game action in week 14 against the Indianapolis Colts.
While there are a few production voids on the offensive side that need to be filled, the defense looks to be in great shape. Head Coach Reggie Barlow and the Defenders seem to have all the tools to make another run at a championship. 
The Renegades entered the XFL playoffs last year as underdogs with a 4-6 record, yet managed to upset both the Roughnecks (XFL) and Defenders en route to an XFL Championship. While Arlington’s improbable playoff run was a team effort, quarterback Luis Perez deserves much of the credit. The Renegades had struggled offensively under multiple quarterbacks before trading for Perez midseason. Once Perez took over as the starter, he never gave up his role and went on to play two of the best games of his professional football career during the postseason.
The Showboats finished with a 5-5 record last season under Head Coach Todd Haley but are now under new leadership. Former New Orleans Breakers Head Coach John DeFillipo is taking over in Memphis after the Breakers dissolved with the merger and Haley stepped down. 
With his old team dissolving, former Houston Roughnecks (XFL) Head Coach Wade Phillips has stepped in as the head coach for the Brahmas. Like DeFillipo, Phillips has brought a number of his former Roughnecks to his new team: 2023 All-XFL center Alex Mollette, tailback Brycen Alleyne, wide receivers Jontre Kirklin and Justin Smith, defensive end Tim Ward, and linebacker Tavantae Beckett, among others.
The Roughnecks have arguably the best defensive front seven in the UFL with the sheer star-power it features. 2022 USFL Defensive Player of the Year Chris Odom, two-time All-USFL defensive tackle Toby Johnson, 2023 All-USFL defensive end Adam Rodgriguez, and 2022 Pittsburgh Maulers sack leader Carlos Kemp make up key pieces on the defensive line, while former NFL first-round draft pick Reuben Foster and former Philadelphia Star Gabriell Sewell highlight the linebacking corps. There are a few question marks in the secondary, with Donald Rutledge Jr. as the only returning Roughnecks safety and an almost entirely new group of cornerbacks. 
Head Coach Mike Nolan enters his second season at the helm for the Panthers. Nolan’s defense features three former All-USFL players: linebacker Frank Ginda, defensive end Breeland Speaks, and safety Bryce Tornedon. Last season, Ginda was the USFL Defensive Player of the Year, while Speaks was the USFL sacks leader (9.0). Tornedon’s All-USFL honors came in 2022 with the Pittsburgh Maulers, but he was still a key contributor throughout Pittsburgh’s run at the USFL Championship last season. 
