As the UFL season is set to kick off in less than 72 hours, teams have made their rosters final in preparation for the 2026 season. With the UFL marketing themselves as a league of opportunity the league has shown itself to be an avenue for players from “smaller” or lesser-known colleges to showcase themselves at a professional level.
This season 15 players from Division II and Division III schools, will hope to make an impact for their prospective team this upcoming season. Of the lower school prospects 11 are from Division II schools, 3 are from Division III schools and Hunter Dekkers being the exemption from Iowa Western Community College a Junior College.
Most notably on the below list Five out of the Eight UFL teams have given opportunities to smaller school players, with several getting released during final cuts like Lacolby Tucker (D2 Missouri Southern), Keith Russell (D2 Missouri Western), and Chim Okorafor (NAIA Benedictine College). It is worth noting that no NAIA players are currently on UFL rosters right now, a first since the return of the USFL in 2022.
Dallas Renegades (3):
Domenique Davis UNC-Pembroke (D2)
Luke Lehnen North Central College (D3)
Luis Perez East Texas A&M (D2)
D.C. Defenders (4):
Willie Drew Jr. Virginia State (D2)
Matthew Foster Virginia State (D2)
Kai Grey Lincoln University (PA) (D2)
Dennis Johnson Grand Valley State (D2)
Houston Gamblers (2):
Hunter Dekkers Iowa Western CC (JUCO)
Markel Roby Pitt State (D2)
Louisville Kings (1):
Zach Davidson Central Missouri (D2)
Orlando Storm (4):
Joey Fisher Shepherd (D2)
Chris Garrett Concordia St. Paul (D2)
Jerome Kapp Kutztown (D2)
Alex Matheson California Lutheran (D3)
St. Louis Battlehawks (1):
Blake Jackson Mary Hardin-Baylor (D3)
Several players on the above-mentioned lists are expected to play a significant role for their teams this coming UFL season. The UFL is scheduled to begin its 3rd season of play on Friday March 27th, the Birmingham Stallions taking on the Louisville Kings.