Most notable former NFL, college standouts for inaugural UFL season
Spring is upon us and with it comes the opening of one other skilled soccer league. The UFL, shaped by the merger of the USFL and XFL, will formally kick off its 10-week season Saturday.
As we have seen within the numerous different soccer leagues over the previous few years, the UFL’s eight rosters function loads of former NFL and collegiate standouts. With that in thoughts, listed here are essentially the most notable gamers collaborating within the 2024 UFL season who’ve NFL ties and/or had been stars on the FBS degree.
Quarterback A.J. McCarron, St. Louis Battlehawks
Maybe essentially the most recognizable identify on this listing, McCarron was a star at Alabama, the place he received three nationwide championships. He did not have practically the identical success within the NFL, bouncing round among the many Cincinnati Bengals, Oakland Raiders and Houston Texans throughout his first six seasons. Final spring, McCarron gave the XFL a shot and had excellent outcomes with the St. Louis Battlehawks.
Throughout the 2023 XFL common season, McCarron threw for essentially the most yards (420) and touchdowns (six) in a recreation in league historical past and broke the season file for TD passes (24). That success led to McCarron signing one other contract with Cincinnati. He performed in two video games, finishing 4 passes for 19 yards with the Bengals earlier than asking to be launched so he might return to St. Louis.
Linebacker Vic Beasley, Arlington Renegades
Regardless of taking part in seven NFL seasons, Beasley – a former first-round pick of Clemson – was largely a one-year marvel within the league. Beasley completed his NFL profession with 37.5 sacks, however 15.5 of them got here throughout his dominant 2016 season when he led the league in that class. That season, Beasley additionally pressured an NFL-high six fumbles, earned his solely Professional Bowl and first-team All-Professional alternatives and helped lead the Atlanta Falcons to a Tremendous Bowl look.
Final season, Beasley acquired his first expertise in spring skilled soccer after the Vegas Vipers chosen him first total within the 2023 XFL Defensive Entrance Seven Draft. Over his seven video games with the Vipers, Beasley collected 15 tackles and 0.5 sacks.
Linebacker Reuben Foster, Houston Roughnecks
Foster, a nationwide champion at Alabama and former first-round decide by the San Francisco 49ers, appeared in solely 16 video games within the NFL as a result of accidents and authorized points. The 29-year-old returned to skilled soccer final season, taking part in for the USFL’s Pittsburgh Maulers. In eight video games with Pittsburgh, Foster had 53 tackles, three for loss, one interception and a half-sack, serving to the workforce attain the USFL Championship Sport, the place it misplaced to the Birmingham Stallions.
Punter Marquette King, Arlington Renegades
King was one of many higher punters within the NFL throughout his Oakland Raiders tenure. In 2014, he led the league in punting yards (4,930) and due to his stellar play in the course of the 2016 season, King earned the one second-team All-Professional number of his profession. Nonetheless, King grew to become extra identified for his on-field celebrations and dance strikes following his punts, which resulted in him receiving a number of unsportsmanlike penalties.
The Denver Broncos signed King to a three-year deal in 2018, however the punter suffered a thigh harm 4 video games into the following season, resulting in his launch. Though he hasn’t performed within the NFL since, King has had profitable stints taking part in spring skilled soccer. As a member of the Battlehawks in 2020, King led the XFL in punting yards, and in the course of the 2023 season, he received the XFL championship with Arlington.
Security D. J. Swearinger, DC Defenders
Swearinger is again for his second season with the Defenders after he had 15 tackles and a pick-six in three video games in 2023. The South Carolina product was an impactful contributor for a number of groups throughout his NFL profession, beginning in 73 of the 110 video games he performed.
At 32, it is unlikely Swearinger will get one other alternative to play within the NFL, however he’ll absolutely present a invaluable veteran presence for the Defenders.
Cornerback Deandre Baker, DC Defenders
Arguably the New York Giants’ largest draft bust in latest reminiscence, the thirtieth total decide within the 2019 NFL Draft returns to skilled soccer for the primary time since 2021. Baker struggled as a rookie however was launched earlier than his second season after he was charged with 4 counts of armed theft and 4 counts of aggravated assault with a firearm at a cube recreation in Florida.
All fees towards Baker had been dropped and he went on to spend components of two seasons with the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs, making 10 appearances in that span.
Quarterback Matt Corral, Birmingham Stallions
The Carolina Panthers chosen Corral within the third spherical of the 2022 NFL Draft after having a strong profession at Ole Miss, however he by no means appeared in a recreation.
Corral spent his rookie season on injured reserve and was minimize by Carolina coming into his second 12 months. Whereas the New England Patriots subsequently signed him, Corral left the workforce with out warning shortly thereafter. It was later reported that New England would re-sign Corral to affix its follow squad till a “change of plans” prevented that from occurring.
It stays to be seen whether or not Corral will play in Saturday’s opener. Birmingham has but to announce a beginning quarterback, with the presumed finalists being Corral and two-time USFL champion J’Mar Smith.
Security Jalen “Teez” Tabor, San Antonio Brahmas
A two-time first-team All-SEC choice at Florida, Tabor didn’t reside as much as expectations within the NFL after the Lions chosen him within the second spherical in 2017. Initially drafted as a cornerback, Tabor transitioned to security, although he did not notably excel in that function both.
Tabor made one look for the Seattle Seahawks in 2023, however he’ll have to make a powerful impression this spring to renew an NFL profession.