The following is a team-by-team recap of UFL free-agency signings from Jan. 24 & 25.
Please note that this will not include players protected going into the Dispersal Draft process who have since “agreed to terms” with the UFL. or players selected during one of the Dispersal Drafts who have since “agreed to terms” with the UFL – as these players have already been listed on their respective teams’ rosters and do not fit under the category of free-agent signings.
Arlington Renegades
S Myles Dorn
Myles Dorn was a three-year starter at the University of North Carolina — totaling 241 tackles, including 10.5 for a loss, 21 passes defended, and six interceptions in 46 career games. His collegiate career culminated in an All-ACC honorable mention for his senior campaign performance in 2019, which saw him finish third on his team in tackles (83). After going undrafted in the 2020 NFL Draft, he signed with the Minnesota Vikings, where he stuck around for three seasons – mainly on the practice squad.
Outlook: Dorn, the former Tar Heels standout, could fill one of the open starting spots in the Renegades’ secondary if he proves himself during training camp.
D.C. Defenders
TE Shaun Beyer
CB Deandre Baker
Shaun Beyer spent five years at the University of Iowa, initially as a wide receiver before switching to tight end after his redshirt season in 2016. He was a backup throughout his collegiate career and was mainly utilized as an extra blocker with the Hawkeyes. In 26 career games, he recorded 18 receptions for 275 yards and one touchdown. Beyer signed with the Minnesota Vikings as an undrafted free agent in 2020.
Deandre Baker was considered one of the best cornerbacks in college football during his senior season at the University of Georgia – with his performance earning him consensus All-American honors and the Jim Thorpe Award. The New York Giants selected Baker with their first-round pick in 2019, and he started 15 games during his rookie season – totaling 61 tackles and eight passes defended. Unfortunately, his professional career hasn’t been the same after a promising start, as the Giants released him after he was arrested in 2020. Later in the same year, he earned an opportunity with the Kansas City Chiefs but saw his stint hindered by injury. The Chiefs released him in 2022.
Outlooks: Baker is the second former first-round cornerback added by the Defenders over the offseason, with Gareon Conley being the first. If Baker can play even close to the level he played at during college, he can be a problem for opposing UFL offenses. Meanwhile, Beyer can contribute as a blocker for the Defenders’ XFL-leading ground attack from last year.
Houston Roughnecks
QB Reid Sinnett (claimed from SA)
Reid Sinnett was re-signed by the Brahmas earlier this week but was subsequently released and then picked up by the Roughnecks. Sinnett played in just one game with San Antonio last year – starting against the Renegades during week five of the 2023 XFL season. In the game, he threw for 97 yards and one touchdown. Following the season, he signed with the Cincinnati Bengals but was waived in October.
Outlook: Sinnett will compete with newcomers Jarrett Guarantano and Nolan Henderson for starting signal-caller duties in Houston. Sinnett’s signing with the Roughnecks also came with the news that they released their starter from last season – Kenji Bahar, who had 1,709 passing yards and eight touchdown passes with the team last year.
Memphis Showboats
OC Alec Lindstrom
To close out his five-year collegiate career at Boston College, Alec Lindstrom secured consecutive First-Team All-ACC honors while also being named a finalist for the Rimington Trophy in 2021. Lindstrom attained impressive PFF pass-blocking grades of 85.1 and 84.7 during his redshirt junior and senior campaigns, respectively, with the Eagles. He landed with the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in 2022 but was released last year.
Outlook: Lindstrom joins 2022 All-USFL center Jared Thomas and returning starter Jordan McCray in the Showboats’ center mix.
San Antonio Brahmas
LS Rex Sunahara
Rex Sunahara appeared in all 10 games with the Brahmas as their long snapper last season before signing with the Pittsburgh Steelers over the summer. The Steelers released Sunahara in August.
Outlook: Sunahara was a reliable piece on the Brahmas’ special teams unit last season and returns for the 2024 season.
