With the Battlehawks set to kickoff their 2026 in less than three weeks, one of the more high powered rooms over the last several years has been the team’s Linebackers. Going into 2026 Ricky Proehl and his staff were unable and chose to go in a different direction this season with St. Louis saw a whole new group at the position after seeing several mainstays move on. For the sake of continuity the Battlehawks “EDGEs” are included in the Linebacker group.
2025 Room: Travis Feeney, Willie Harvey Jr. Callahan O’Reilly, Mike Rose, Pita Taumoepenu, Shaka Toney, Carson Wells, Chris Garrett
2026 Room (As of 3/8/26): Pita Taumoepenu, Demone Harris, Travis Feeney, Steve Linton, Abraham Beauplan, Jordan Williams, Tariq Carpenter, Michael Barrett, LaVonta Bentley
The Battlehawks have made six transactions so far this season since the 2026 draft. The team has released Luke Masterson (1/23), Mike Rose (Retired 1/27), William Hardy (2/27), and Daniel Morrison (3/7), while adding Bentley (2/28), Barrett (1/27), and Harris (3/2) so far.
Last year the Battlehawks rostered 8 EDGEs and Linebackers, with the team currently rostering 9 after recently releasing Daniel Morrison on March 7th.
The Veterans:
Travis Feeney (EDGE) is the veteran returning for year 9 of his professional football career with his sixth season in spring football. Feeney has been a fan favorite of the Battlehawks earning UFL Sportsman of the Year in 2025, in addition to Week 8 Defensive Player of the Week honors. Feeney despite being 33 has continued to be a consistent force of the EDGE, last season and paired up with Pita Taumoepenu should continue that trend for at least one more season.
Pita Taumoepenu (EDGE) returns for his 3rd year with the Battlehawks fresh off a 2025 UFL Defensive Player of the Year honor. Taumoepenu eclipsed 7.5 sacks in 2025, leveraging his ability to explode off the EDGE in tandem with Travis Feeney. While Taumoepenu like Feeney is on the wrong side of 30, the pair should be able to account for at least 12.0 sacks between the two once more in 2026.
Steve Linton (EDGE) comes to St. Louis, after a “cameo” appearance with the Stallions in 2025. A class of 2025 prospect, Linton was a true rookie this past season seeing limited action in his inaugural campaign. With a full offseason, and training camp to compete, Linton could make a “Malik Fisher” like jump this year.
Jordan Williams (ILB) has established himself as one of the UFL’s premiere inside Linebackers since joining the Brahmas in 2023. After an All-XFL campaign, Williams has still been one of the premiere tacklers in spring football totaling 144 tackles in the past two seasons. Williams going into his 4th spring football season figures to be on track for another solid season for himself, possibly upgrading the position for the Battlehawks as well.
Tariq Carpenter (ILB) was released by the Brahmas in 2025, after several weeks with the team. Blessed with the natural instincts wanted in a Linebacker, Carpenter seemed to be out of the scheme that was run by Will Reed and Wade Phillips in 2025. With new scenery, Carpenter could figure his way back into relevance with St. Louis in 2026.
Newcomers:
Demone Harris (EDGE) at 6’4, Harris possesses many of the same measurables as Chris Garrett (Orlando Storm). While Harris has played both a 3-4 EDGE or a 4-3 End, he brings instance versatility to the Battlehawks and Corey Chamblin’s defense. Harris coupled with Feeney and Taumoepenu could easily be a 5.0 sack guy for the Battlehawks lining up all over the defensive line.
Raymond Johnson III (EDGE) is a newcomer to the UFL after several seasons with NFL teams from 2021 to 2025. While his impact hasn’t been huge during the regular season,he’s amassed plenty of solid film during 15 preseason games. Johnson could easily “pop” for the Battlehawks pushing Travis Feeney for more playing time in 2026.
Abraham Beauplan (ILB) is the newest Battlehawks (along to the UFL) that could easily be a day one starter for the team. Beauplan is only 26 years old and shows similar traits to former Battlehawk Willie Harvey, even playing with more explosiveness. It shouldn’t surprise Battlehawks fans if Beauplan and Williams are starting in the middle for St. Louis this season.
Michael Barrett (ILB) was originally signed by the Stallions in the fall of 2025, however had his rights selected by the Battlehawks during the UFL draft in January. Barrett is a high upside prospect that could easily compete behind Williams, possibly pushing him for playing time dependent on his coverage skills.
LaVonta Bentley (ILB) could be the odd man out of the Battlehawks room, if the team decides to keep 8 Backers/EDGEs. Bentley, though a physical “thumper” in the box, doesn’t have the speed the other Battlehawks inside backers do, with reports of his 40 time being between the high 4.7s to mid 4.8s. While Bentley may be an early cut-candidate, he could easily find himself on a team if injuries arise.