In order to curate the 75-man rosters each UFL team will take into training camp, the league went through several phases of player acquisition. The first phase was a protection and dispersal draft, followed by the second phase, a super dispersal draft. Finally, on January 16, a free agency period began where any players not signed to other professional leagues could be acquired.
I broke down the first two phases by conference here at UFLBoard.com – USFL Conference and XFL Conference protections and dispersal draft, followed by the USFL Conference and XFL Conference super dispersal draft. I would be doing a disservice – not to mention activating my football OCD – if I didn’t also provide analysis of additions via free agency.
Training camp rosters were supposed to be locked in by February 14; however, teams continued to add players beyond that date (or those additions were simply made public by the UFL after that point). Throughout camp, teams will continue to add and subtract from their 75-man squads. For the purpose of this column, I’ll grade each team’s work in free agency from January 16 through February 23, when players began to report to Arlington.
Mississippi quarterback Matt Corral (2) walks off the field after a 42-21 loss to Alabama during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Birmingham Stallions
Free Agent Additions (15): WR Kevin Austin, WR Slade Bolden, G Deonte Brown, DE Owen Carney, DT Carlos Davis, CB Mark Gilbert, RB Larry Rountree III, C Josh Sokol, TE Jordan Thomas, CB Ike Brown, WR Chris Lacy, DT Caleb Sampson, LB DeMarquis Gates, QB Matt Corral, S AJ Thomas
Analysis: For those who believed J’Mar Smith would step in as starting quarterback with Alex McGough now on the Green Bay Packers – think again. The addition of Corral may be the most intriguing of the entire free agency period. The former 2022 third-round pick of the Carolina Panthers flamed out of the NFL quickly, but is young enough to rebuild his reputation in the UFL. Smith likely won’t step aside without a battle, though. General Manager Zach Potter seemed to identify a few particular needs in free agency, adding three receivers and three defensive linemen. Gates and Davis are former Stallions returning to The Magic City. Birmingham has a deep enough roster that they didn’t have to add a ton here; yet they still managed to make some major additions.
Free Agent Additions (11): S Javon Hicks, FB Ryan Nall, WR Steven Dunbar, LB Ace Eley, OT Brandon Haskin, QB Nolan Henderson, G Braylon Jones, LB Marvin Moody, DB Shahman Moore, WR Kirk Merritt, C Isaac Weaver
Analysis: Eley was on the practice squad of the Carolina Panthers at the end of the NFL season, though he didn’t sign a futures contract with the team, making him eligible to sign here. Outside of Eley and maybe Jones and Merritt, I struggle to see any of these additions making a dent during the regular season unless injuries occur. Henderson likely starts camp as the third quarterback; I’m not sure how much upward mobility there will be behind Jarrett Guarantano and Reid Sinnett. Houston didn’t have a true fullback on its roster last season, but acquired an NFL veteran (33 games played) in Nall, which could signal some tweaks being brought to Eric Price’s offensive system.
Free Agent Additions (6):S Antonio Reed, C Alec Lindstrom, QB Troy Williams, WR Josh Vann, RB Trey Williams, TE Dominique Dafney
Analysis: Memphis made the fewest additions via free agency of any UFL team. This after they maxed out on dispersal draft selections and also made a league-high 14 super dispersal draft picks. It should come as no surprise, then, that they had a quiet free agency period. Lindstrom should find a starting spot somewhere on the offensive line. He’s one of the best pickups in free agency, especially knowing how difficult it is for alternative football leagues to find quality offensive linemen. Troy Williams started for the Pittsburgh Maulers in the USFL in 2023, leading the team in both rushing and passing. With Case Cookus expected to start at QB for Memphis, Williams may be called upon as a change-of-pace option. Trey Williams is on his sixth pro football league.
Showboats Grade: B
Frank Ginda is returning to the Michigan Panthers.
Michigan Panthers
Free Agent Additions (7): TE Nick Guggemos, S Jamal Perry, WR Trey Quinn, QB EJ Perry, WR Dezmon Patmon, OT LaColby Tucker, LB Frank Ginda
Analysis: While some teams brought back players from 2023, the Panthers returned three true difference makers: Quinn was the team’s second-leading receiver; Perry started the final game of the season and Michigan’s playoff game, seemingly anointed the de facto starter during that time; and Ginda was the best defensive player for the Panthers and maybe all of the USFL. Tucker was the freakiest athlete at the XFL Combine this past summer, parlaying that into an NFL training camp look from the Atlanta Falcons. He may not be ready to produce right away, but could be a jar on the shelf for down the line. Patmon is another notable name here with 10 NFL games under his belt.
