Going into 2026, the Battlehawks have completely revamped their Specialist room with new faces for the first time since 2020. In the Battlehawks five-year history, the team has signed a new kicker every year from Taylor Russolino (2020), Donny Hageman (2023), Andre Smyzt (2024), and Rodrigo Blankenship (2025) with 2026 being led by Tucker McCann. The team also moved on from Punter Sterling Hofrichter (23-25), and Long Snapper Alex Matheson (23-25).
2025 Room: Rodrigo Blankenship (Free Agent), Sterling Hofrichter (Free Agent), Alex Matheson (Orlando Storm)
2026 Room: Tucker McCann, Matthew Hembrough, Ryan Sanborn
The Battlehawks special teams room is a complete revamp under the new staff. The team has seen a decent amount of success over the years, with Smyzt earning a contract with the Cleveland Browns in 2024, Blankenship earning All-UFL honors in 2025, and Long Snapper Alex Matheson earning a contract with the Rams in 2023, and All-UFL honors in 2025.
Newcomers:
Matthew Hembrough: Replacing the Matheson is Matthew Hembrough who is among the newest wave of long snappers in the UFL. Hembrough has been a frequent name on the NFL workout wire, who spent time with the Arizona Cardinals in 2023. While an injury forced him to miss the 2023 season, many spring football long snappers have transitioned to the NFL after a season in the UFL.
Ryan Sanborn offers a more youthful option for the Battlehawks than Sterling Hofrichter as the team transitions to a new special teams room. Sanborn spent time on NFL rosters in 2024 with the Atlanta Falcons, and has been a frequent name on the NFL’s workout wire. Sanborn averaged almost 43 yards per punt through five seasons in college, and averaged 46 yards per punt in his lone preseason game in 2024.
Tucker McCann is one of the more intriguing options in the UFL after not having been on an NFL roster since 2021. McCann appeared on the NFL’s workout wire last year, and was signed after attending the UFL specialist showcase. McCann is a St. Louis local (O’Fallon, Illinois), and could be one of the UFL’s best stories if he is able to earn an NFL contract.
The Battlehawks had a total face-lift in their special teams room which could yield high returns on the field and off the field. With the UFL’s consistent success in helping specialist earn NFL opportunities, the Battlehawks should be able to remain one of the best units going forward while garnering plenty of opportunities for the next level.