The top new talent in the United Football League in 2025 will probably come from the list of those released by NFL teams at the end of training camp. It’s the same expectation as it was last year, and for the XFL in 2023, and for the USFL in its two rebooted seasons.
Many of those cut were signed to practice squads, or will cycle on-and-off practice squads throughout the NFL season. Now, more than two weeks into the year, the most likely of that group to enter the UFL are those that remain free agents, meaning not only were they not at the top of any team’s desired list of practice squadders, but were also not among the first wave called upon to sign due to injuries or natural roster turnover that takes place early in the season.
This is my third year curating a list of one player at each position, let go at final cuts, who should be of interest to UFL teams. I tried to include a mix of veterans and rookies, limiting myself to players who have not been signed since being let go at the end of training camp. These, therefore, would be the players most likely available to UFL teams – and also the most likely to be interested in joining the league to kick-start their career.
My list last year featured several players who would go on to play in the UFL in 2024, including OT Jean Delance, C Alec Lindstrom, LB Bumper Pool, and P Drue Chrisman.
QB: Max Duggan: The former seventh round draft pick failed to take advantage of a backup quarterback situation in flux in Los Angeles. A four-year starter for TCU, Duggan had a middling career before a breakout 2022 season. He led the Horned Frogs to the National Championship game after upsetting the Michigan Wolverines in the semifinals. That earned him a selection by the Chargers near the end of the 2023 Draft. After spending most of his rookie season on the practice squad, he got a fresh start with new head coach Jim Harbaugh (whose Wolverines Duggan beat en route to the Championship). Unfortunately, he was the first casualty of a three-way battle to back up Justin Herbert at QB, released before the final preseason game. Still just 23 years old, there’s enough on Duggan’s college resume to perhaps intrigue the offensive-minded coaches in the UFL who could envision a way to utilize his strengths.
RB: Zonovan Knight: Nicknamed “Bam,” Knight made the New York Jets as an undrafted free agent in 2022. In his first game midway through the season, he compiled over 100 total yards. He started four games that season. Knight failed to make the Jets out of camp the following year, ending up on the practice squad of the Detroit Lions. A month after he was signed to the active roster, Knight was placed on injured reserve and missed the rest of the season. He went to camp this summer with Detroit but was cut again. His speed won’t “wow” you (4.53 40-yard dash time), but he offers versatility in his ability to catch balls out of the backfield and return kicks. If a team is looking for a back to wear down a defense with a lead at the end of the game, Knight could be their guy.
TE: Zach Heins: A rookie from FCS powerhouse South Dakota State, Heins was a draftable prospect for some heading into April, but went un-selected in the NFL Draft. He hooked on with the Los Angeles Chargers, with whom he spent the summer. Heins played just 24 offensive snaps across three preseason games, catching one pass for 11 yards. Pass-catching was not his forte with the Jackrabbits, as he was predominantly known as a blocker. In a league like the UFL where offensive lines tend to be the weak links, having someone who can hang on the line of scrimmage to help open up holes for the running backs is worth a roster spot. Many UFL teams kept tight ends for their blocking prowess in 2024, and Heins could be one of those players in 2025.
WR: Andy Isabella: There are not a lot of former NFL second round picks dotting UFL rosters; Isabella could increase that number by one. The Arizona Cardinals fell in love with Isabella’s speed, as he flew to the tune of a 4.31 40 at the 2019 NFL Combine. After playing 28 games over his first two seasons, starting three, Isabella fell out of favor and was let go in October 2022. He has played just seven games the past three season, with three different teams. Becoming an NFL nomad at 27 years old, the 5’9″ Isabella could find great success in the UFL as a slot receiver and is not too old to revive his NFL odds in the spring league.
OT: Aviante Collins: Many young offensive linemen were snapped up to join practice squads or were stashed on injured reserve, leaving few gems in the trenches. Collins, at 31 years old, is likely older than the type of player that would seek out a UFL contract. Since entering the league in 2017 as an undrafted free agent of the Minnesota Vikings, Collins has played in just eight NFL games over that eight year span. If he feels like he’s getting toward the end of the road and wants to play a consistent amount of football before he hangs up his cleats, Collins would be well-advised to consider the UFL, where he would likely be recruited by a number of teams seeking offensive line, and specifically offensive tackle, help.
G: Brady Latham: The New York Jets picked up Latham as a free agent after the 2024 NFL Draft. The former Arkansas Razorback, primarily a left guard in college, was beaten out for a spot on New York’s practice squad by former San Antonio Brahma G Kohl Levao. The Hogs always seem to churn out capable offensive linemen, and Latham is no different. He also offers a wealth of experience, having started nearly 50 games during his time in college. Unlike some on this list, Latham got the opportunity to acclimate himself to the pro game during the preseason, participating in about 35% of the Jets’ total offensive snaps. He would’ve been playing against the type of players he’d be lining up against in the UFL.
C: Charles Turner III: Another SEC offensive lineman, Turner was a two-year starter at the pivot for the LSU Tigers. Though a bit undersized, his experience playing against top competition in that conference will be of help to him in his transition to the next level. Turner went undrafted this past spring, inking a free agent deal with the New England Patriots. Turner was thought highly enough of to have been invited to the prestigious Senior Bowl in January. In my scouting notes, I remarked that Turner needed to improve his play strength; the UFL’s strength and conditioning program in Arlington during training camp has often been on display on their social channels. Sean Hayes and his team could help Turner upgrade that area of his game.
DE: Justin Blazek: Out of Division III Wisconsin-Platteville, Blazek blazed a trail of destruction in college. He was a two-time First Team AFCA All-American, compiling 19 sacks and 37 tackles for loss. From his defensive end position, he also intercepted four passes in his career. Blazek signed with the Cincinnati Bengals following the 2024 NFL Draft. He played more than 50% of the preseason snaps in games two and three, and in the final contest against Indianapolis, had six tackles including a sack and forced fumble of QB Anthony Richardson while playing against the Colts’ starters. Cincinnati has just one defensive end on the practice squad, Isaiah Thomas, whom they picked up from Cleveland after final cuts, opting to go outside the organization rather than re-sign Blazek.
DT: Keith Randolph, Jr.: The line-mate of the more heralded DT Jer’Zhan Newton (a second round pick of the Washington Commanders) at the University of Illinois, Randolph stayed close to home in signing as an undrafted free agent with the Chicago Bears. After two tackles and a fumble recovery during the preseason, Randolph was let go by the Bears. He failed to latch on with any practice squad. The decision to turn pro with a year of eligibility remaining doesn’t seem to have paid off. Teams looking for a stout run defender may be interested in Randolph’s services.
LB: Aaron Casey: As active a linebacker as you could find in the Big Ten Conference in 2023, Casey was one of three top-level undrafted free agent linebackers signed by the Cincinnati Bengals. Maema Njongmeta ended up making the team out of camp, while Shaka Heyward was added to the practice squad. That left Casey as the one standing when the music stopped. Casey tallied over 100 tackles in his final season, pacing the Big Ten in tackles for loss. He also increased his production every year. From my personal scouting notes on Casey: “slow to react in coverage…makes plenty of tackles outside the numbers…never comes off the field…attacks decisively in short-yardage…sideline-to-sideline player…strong intangibles…makes plays behind the line of scrimmage.”
CB: Michael Ojemudia: The University of Iowa has been known to develop top cornerbacks, and Ojemudia was one of the better ones to come out of defensive coordinator Phil Parker’s zone coverage system. A third round pick of the Denver Broncos in 2020, Ojemudia turned into a corner/safety ‘tweener as a pro. He has bounced around the league since the Broncos waived him late in 2022, never sticking anywhere permanently. Last month, he was released by the Arizona Cardinals as they trimmed their roster to the league mandatory 53. A 6’1″ corner that runs a 4.45 40 should always be in demand, especially for those teams that run defenses similar to the one Ojemudia excelled in at Iowa.
S: Josh Proctor: A popular pick to be the undrafted free agent most likely to make the roster of the Jacksonville Jaguars, Proctor curiously saw little playing time in the preseason (just 11 snaps on defense across three games). His path to making the squad was always going to be through special teams, but he needed the opportunity to show out on defense as well. One of the most battle-tested defensive backs in the draft, Proctor played in 53 games during his college career, though he was only a full-time starter for one season. When you’re at Ohio State, you’re used to playing top competition on a consistent basis, so Proctor has that big-game experience under his belt.
K: Lucas Havrisik: A two-year veteran, Havriisk is already pretty well-traveled on the free agent and tryout circuit. He kicked in nine games with the Los Angeles Rams in 2023, nailing 75% of his field goals and over 80% of his extra points. It wasn’t enough for him to retain the job for 2024, however. He’ll likely continue to be at the top of teams’ lists of potential replacement kickers this season. A few UFL teams are looking to upgrade there as well, with the Michigan Panthers and D.C. Defenders currently without kickers on their roster. Someone will need to fill those spots.
P: Jack Browning: Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh, a former special teams coordinator, knows a good punter when he sees one. That’s why it’s important to take note that Harbaugh saw enough in Browning to sign him to the Ravens as an undrafted free agent this year. He wasn’t put in a position to win the job from incumbent Jordan Stout, whom Baltimore spent a fourth round pick on in 2022. In fact, Browning didn’t even see preseason action. Being in an NFL camp, however, is still good experience for a young player. As a bonus, Browning can also kick off.
LS: Cameron Lyons: An Akron transfer who ended up at Charlotte, Lyons entered the league as a UDFA of the New York Giants in 2023. This summer, he was in camp with the Chicago Bears. When their long snapper, Patrick Scales, got hurt, the Bears called upon veteran Scott Daly to take his place, rather than the more familiar Lyons. That had to be a disappointment. Nevertheless, Lyons, like Havrisik, is bound to make the rounds trying out for teams this season, placing himself atop their emergency lists if an injury should strike. In the UFL, Lyons would immediately be one of the better snappers in the league, though no one at that position from 2024 is currently in the NFL.
