Spring football players continued to play important roles throughout the NFL in 2024. They came from the USFL, the XFL and the UFL, and will do so into the future so long as alternative football leagues continue to exist. During the NFL season, I’ve provided a week-by-week summation of how these players have performed. Here, I’ll put a bow on that analysis by looking at their work in total from the year, providing in-depth data beyond the box score from our friends at Pro Football Focus, and predicting what’s next in 2025 in part with contract information on each player from Over the Cap.
While this is the fifth year I’ve written this column, it’s the first year I’ve included former USFL players as part of the analysis. I’ve broken up this season into four sections: USFL, XFL 2020, XFL 2023, and UFL. We start here with the USFL.
Last year’s third part, as well as links to parts one and two, can be found here.
S Micah Abernathy, Atlanta Falcons (Houston Gamblers)
In 2024: A key special teams contributor before a knee injury in week six finished his season prematurely, Abernathy won a spot at a competitive position in camp, retaining his job from 2023. He made three tackles on the third unit, playing 70% of the snaps there while he was active.
What PFF tells us: Abernathy was what is called a “core four” special teamer, playing on punt return and coverage, as well as kick return and coverage. He added time on the field goal/extra point block team as well, expanding his duties to five units. He played the important role of gunner on punt coverage, often the first man down the field and tasked with either making the tackle or downing the football in the field of play. On kick coverage, Abernathy predominantly played the “L1” spot, the player lined up furthest to the outside on the left side of the formation.
2025 outlook: Knee injuries can be tricky, especially for players who rely on their speed as coverage demons like Abernathy does. In 2025, Abernathy will be an exclusive rights free agent, which means a player with less than three accrued season whose contracts expire can be offered a one-year deal for the league minimum by their team. They have no real negotiating power, as they have to accept the offer or not play. The only way they can move on to another team is if their original team does not tender them a contract. If his recovery goes according to plan, I’d expect the Falcons to offer him a deal for 2025. Re-signing an ERFA carries very little risk for the team.
WR Maurice Alexander, Detroit Lions (Philadelphia Stars)
In 2024: Seeing his first NFL action since 2022, Alexander was cut by the Lions following training camp and it wasn’t until November that he was signed again, to Detroit’s practice squad. He even spent a brief time on the 53-man roster. His work was limited to punt returns, taking back four for 42 yards before eventually being replaced in that role by Tom Kennedy. Alexander was on the practice squad as the Lions advanced to the Divisional Round of the playoffs.
What PFF tells us: There’s not much to tell: Alexander didn’t play on offense and saw 17 snaps on special teams, splitting that between the kick return and punt return teams.
2025 outlook: If signed to a futures deal, Alexander will once again compete for a spot at the end of the receiver depth chart on a Detroit team whose roster is suddenly as stacked as any in the league. That just means a tougher road to hoe for Alexander to make it. Alexander was not among the first wave of futures signings by Detroit, putting his NFL future in limbo for the time being.
Oct 6, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Dallas Cowboys place kicker Brandon Aubrey (17) kicks a field goal against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the second quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images (cowboyswire.usatoday.com)
K Brandon Aubrey, Dallas Cowboys (Birmingham Stallions)
In 2024: Aubrey’s underdog story continued to build in 2024, where he was named to the Pro Bowl and honored as a Second Team All-Pro. He hit the longest field goal in the NFL this season at 65 yards and was second in the league in field goals made (40), coming at an 85.1% clip, including 12-of-13 from beyond 50 yards. Dallas had a lot of concerns in 2024; kicker was not one of them.
What PFF tells us: We learn more about Aubrey’s efforts on kickoffs than anything else here. He was 12th in the league in kickoff return percentage and 30th in yards allowed per return. Kickoff coverage certainly shares some blame in that, but if there’s one area Aubrey can look to improve for 2025, it might be his kickoffs. Aubrey’s 85.1% field goal percentage actually only ranked 22nd best in the league, though the unusually long field goals Dallas head coach Mike McCarthy sent him out for brings down that number a bit.
2025 outlook: Signed for just over $1 million in 2025, it’s Aubrey’s last year before hitting unrestricted free agency in 2026. It would not be surprising to see the Cowboys engage Aubrey and his agent in contract extension talks this off-season.
In 2024: Butler’s second year as a Cowboy practice squadder was turned on its head in November when the team suffered numerous injuries at the cornerback position. Butler was summoned to the active roster and even started three of the five games he played. Just as he was beginning to make his mark on defense, he went down with a torn ACL on Thanksgiving Day, ending his season. Butler’s final 2024 line was 21 tackles (17 solo, four assists), a sack, and five passes defensed.
What PFF tells us: Butler’s overall grade of 49.9 belies positives in the breakdown: His run defense grade was 58.0 and his tackling garnered him a 70.2. It was his coverage grade of 47.9 that brought down the final number. When there’s a defensive player inexperienced at the NFL level thrust into high-leverage situations, offensive coordinators like to test them out. In Butler’s second start, against Washington, he was targeted 12 times, allowing nine catches for only 87 yards. On special teams, he played 23 snaps over those five games, with 10 coming on punt return, eight on kick coverage and five on punt coverage.
2025 outlook: Despite the injury, Butler is likely to return to Dallas in 2025 as he is under contract – he won’t become an exclusive rights free agent until 2026. It’s possible he showed enough in limited playing time to earn a real look next year; however, Dallas will have a new defensive staff so that performance may not matter as much.
In 2024: After spending much of 2023 on the practice squad of the Cincinnati Bengals, Davis went to camp with, was cut by, then re-signed to the practice squad of the Bengals in 2024. He was waived once and brought back, in between spending a month on the practice squad of the Steelers. The Bengals elevated Davis twice, but he was idle both times. His only NFL regular season experience remains two games played back in 2022. Cincinnati did not offer Davis a futures contract at the end of their year, so the Steelers swooped in and signed him.
2025 outlook: Clearly Pittsburgh liked what they saw when Davis was on their practice squad, though not enough to actually keep him to the end of the season. The Steelers have already signed an unusually large number of players to futures contracts, and not all of them will make it to camp. We’ll see if Davis is one of them.
In 2024: Davis was on the roster of four teams during the calendar year, beginning with Arizona, with whom he signed a futures deal last January. He was waived in late April after the NFL Draft. Picked up by Detroit, Davis attended training camp with the Lions, and was released at final cuts. He had two stints on the practice squad of the Denver Broncos before moving on to Cleveland in December. Promoted to the active roster prior to week 18, Davis played in his first NFL regular season game in this year’ finale.
What PFF tells us: On special teams, we got a breakdown of the units Davis played on in his 11 snaps: Five on the kick return team and six on punt coverage. He added 15 snaps on offense, grading highest in run blocking.
2025 outlook: Davis will come cheap in 2025 ($840,000) but that’s no guarantee that he even makes it to camp. Like what happened to him in Arizona this past season, draft pick and undrafted signings could potentially push some players off the roster before camp. Davis is a candidate to be one of those players.
DT Khalil Davis, San Francisco 49ers
DT Khalil Davis, San Francisco 49ers (Birmingham Stallions)
In 2024: Beginning the year in Houston, Davis was often the first defensive tackle off the bench in their rotation. At the trade deadline, he was sent to San Francisco, where he languished, playing just three games. In total, Davis played 12 games, making 12 tackles, four for a loss, and registering one sack.
What PFF tells us: Davis averaged 19 snaps per game in his nine games with the Texans prior to being dealt. In three games with the 49ers, Davis averaged about 12 snaps per game. In Houston, Davis was on the field goal/extra point block teams and also appeared a handful of times on the punt return unit. In San Francisco, he did not have those duties. I was interested in looking at a detailed breakdown of where Davis lined up along the defensive line in his two stops, and where they may have differed. Indeed, he played more snaps at nose tackle in San Francisco than he did in Houston, where he had a pretty even split at left and right defensive tackle.
2025 outlook: Davis is an unrestricted free agent this off-season, meaning he is free to sign with any team once the new league year begins in March. Given his usage in the Bay Area, it seems unlikely the 49ers will attempt to re-sign him. He likely won’t be among the first or even second waves of free agent signings, but some team may get a bargain by adding Davis as depth.
LS Mitchell Fraboni, Denver Broncos (Pittsburgh Maulers)
In 2024: Snapping in all 17 games for the second consecutive season, Fraboni finished his third season overall in Denver after taking the long snapping reins in 2022. Per our friend Kevin Gold at longsnap.com, Fraboni tied for the league lead in special teams tackles with five. His work didn’t go unnoticed, as he was named first alternate to the Pro Bowl.
What PFF tells us: Grades and information for long snappers is limited. After attaining a 90.0+ grade the last two seasons, Fraboni dipped to an 81.3 this year. Part of that could be due to being charged with two missed tackles on special teams, which would be a career-high. Fraboni is consistently one of the better coverage long snappers downfield, as PFF’s charting has him with four tackles each of the last three seasons.
2025 outlook: A restricted free agent this off-season, Denver can offer Fraboni a contract and another team can choose to match it. However, that rarely happens and often the player signs whatever qualifying offer is made by his original team. Fraboni still comes relatively cheap, so Denver is likely to retain him if not try to sign him to a longer deal.
WR Alex McGough, Green Bay Packers (Baltimore Stallions)
In 2024: The championship-winning quarterback of the Stallions transitioned to wide receiver full-time this summer with the Packers. Unfortunately for him, that transition was cut short in late July due to injury. It wasn’t until November that McGough resurfaced, back with Green Bay on their practice squad. He finished out the year there, but was not signed to a futures contract immediately after the season.
2025 outlook: McGough is looking for a team and his old squad, Birmingham, is looking for another quarterback with Adrian Martinez sticking in the NFL for the time being. McGough could reunite with head coach Skip Holtz in the UFL – the question is, would it be at QB or WR? That would seem to be as likely a play as McGough signing with an NFL team for 2025 at this point.
WR DJ Montgomery, Indianapolis Colts (Michigan Panthers)
In 2024: Providing veteran insurance at the receiver spot on the Indianapolis practice squad, Montgomery spent the entire year there without a gameday call up. This was the second year Montgomery spent predominantly on the Colts’ practice squad, though he played in seven games for the team in 2023.
2025 outlook: Signed to a futures contract after the season, Montgomery will try for the third year in a row to crack the Indianapolis roster out of training camp.
DT Jeremiah Pharms, Jr., New England Patriots (Pittsburgh Maulers)
In 2024: Earning the most extensive playing time of his career, Pharms was a key cog in New England’s defensive line, playing in 16 games and starting five. He made 33 tackles, four for loss, and had two sacks. Pharms averaged nearly 30 snaps per game on defense, while also playing on select special teams units. His best game came in a 19-3 victory over the Chicago Bears, where he had five tackles and a sack.
What PFF tells us: In terms of alignment, Pharms most frequently aligned in the “B” gap, which is the space between the offensive guard and tackle, as well as over the tackle. This shows the inside-out versatility that he brings, able to play defensive tackle or end. His final grade was a 58.1 (60.0 is considered average) and in nearly 500 snaps, Pharms did not commit a penalty. On special teams, most of his snaps came on the field goal/extra point block unit, but he also displayed unusual athleticism for a D-Linemen by participating in 37 snaps on the kick return team and 14 snaps on punt return.
2025 outlook: Mike Vrabel will take over in New England in 2025 after Jerod Mayo’s one-and-done season. Pharms is an ERFA and is likely to be tendered (New England’s front office remains intact), though he will have to impress a new staff, including a new defensive coordinator, next year.
DE LaBryan Ray, Carolina Panthers (Philadelphia Stars)
In 2024: Another defensive lineman that set career marks in 2024, Ray started nine games for an overmatched Panthers defense, playing in 16 total. He accrued 41 tackles, two for loss, and added a sack as well. It was Ray’s second year in Carolina, and he’s played in 33 of a possible 34 games over that span, even working through a hand injury this season, wearing a club wrap on his hand, making tackling extra difficult.
What PFF tells us: Despite the impressive counting stats, PFF was not kind to Ray’s performance, grading him at 33.0 for the season. Not a surprise given Carolina’s defensive deficiencies this year. He was the lowest-graded full-time defensive player on the team. Like Pharms, Ray played mostly in the “B” gap or over the offensive tackle.
2025 outlook: An exclusive rights free agent this off-season, it’s no guarantee Ray is brought back. Carolina will look to upgrade all levels of its defense, with defensive line likely to get particular attention. Even if the Panthers move on, some team will probably take a chance on bringing in a veteran with his level of experience and allowing him to compete for a backup job this summer.
In 2024: One of a handful of spring football players to make their regular season debut in 2024, Shampklin rotated on and off the roster and the practice squad with a couple other running backs, notably Jonathan Ward. In three games, Shampklin ran the ball six times for 17 yards (2.8 yards per carry). He also returned four kickoffs for 101 yards (25.3 per return).
What PFF tells us: Shampklin was limited to 28 offensive snaps all year, grading at 52.5. Most of Shampklin’s runs went to the left side of the formation in either in a gap or zone scheme. All 13 of Shampklin’s special teams snaps came on the kick return team.
2025 outlook: The top two backs in Pittsburgh, Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren, are free agents come March, so the Steelers’ backfield could look very different next season. A series of good off-season workouts could put Shampklin in the conversation for a roster spot next year, even if he remains a longshot at this point.
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver KaVontae Turpin (9) returns a Cleveland Browns punt for a touchdown in the second half of an NFL game in Cleveland. Credit: (AP Photo/David Richard)
WR KaVontae Turpin, Dallas Cowboys (New Jersey Generals)
In 2024: Spring football fans had long wanted to see more of the game-breaking Turpin on offense. They got that in 2024, as Turpin more than doubled his previous career-high in offensive snaps. Even then, he only played 27% of the team’s snaps on offense, signaling there’s yet more he can accomplish. Playing all 17 games with two starts, Turpin had 31 receptions for 420 yards (13.5 yards per reception) and two touchdowns, adding 16 carries for 92 yards (5.75 yards per carry). In the return game, Turpin returned 18 punts for 188 yards (10.4) and a touchdown. He led the NFL in kickoff return yardage, with 904 on 27 returns (33.5) also scoring a TD. Turpin was named First Team All-Pro as a kick returner and was named to the Pro Bowl.
What PFF tells us: Finishing with an offensive grade of 71.2, Turpin played all over the formation for Dallas. He lined up 16 times in the backfield as a running back, and 231 times in the slot. He played wildcat QB once and also lined up as an outside receiver 67 times. Despite his speed, Turpin was not asked to cover kicks on special teams. PFF had Turpin with four drops and 264 yards after the catch (8.5 per reception), showing just how often the Cowboys wanted to get the ball to Turpin in space.
2025 outlook: Turpin will almost certainly be brought back as a restricted free agent in 2025. Many believe he’s been underutilized in Dallas the last few years; could another team see more in him enough to offer him a deal and force the Cowboys to match it?
