It’s been a busy couple of weeks since the UFL Draft gave teams a new group of players to be excited about. With NFL training camp in full swing the UFL has seen multiple players work out, get signed by NFL teams, in addition to roster realignment for UFL teams due to releases, retirements and signings.
New GM, New Team:
Making some moves this off-season has been the Houston Roughnecks. Fresh off a 1-9 season, Houston has begun a huge overhaul of their roster releasing 16 players from the 2024 squad, while signing 18 players to their team as of July 29th. The Roughnecks also will be with Kiondre Thomas who signed a contract with the Carolina Panthers. So far this off-season the Michigan Panthers are the only other UFL team to release any players during the 2024-25 UFL offseason.
Thank You For Your Service:
As the off-season continues in the later months of summer several UFL players have retired. The Birmingham Stallions will be without Spring League Stalwart Jordan Thompson who won Three Championships with the team after coming to the USFL following his stint in 2020’s XFL with the Seattle Dragons. The Stallions will also be without Damon Lloyd who also retired following Two seasons with Birmingham. The league has not officially announced either players retirement via their transactions page.
Most notably Gareon Conley also announced his retirement from football, following his release from the Dallas Cowboys. Conley a former 1st-Round pick with the Raiders, put together a standout performance with the D.C. Defenders fighting his way back to the NFL. Conley put out a statement on twitter talking about the struggles of the last couple years of his football career.
Workouts:
While signings continue to “sputter” in for UFL players, workouts remain strong. Gunnar Oakes, Colby Richardson, Nico Bolden, Reid Sinnett, Justin Hall, E.J. Perry, Andre Szmyt, Josh Love, Matt McCrane, Delonte Hood, Bailey Moore, Walter Palmore, Mike Panasiuk, Jarrett Guarantano, Wyatt Ray, Derrick Roberson, and Isaiah Winstead, have all received workouts over the last two weeks. So far 29 UFL players have signed NFL contracts this spring league cycle with more expected to do so.
The First Release:
While many may be excited to see Adrian Martinez the UFL’s inaugural MVP sign a contract with the Jets, it does come at the expense of Defensive Back Nehemiah Shelton who was released. Shelton a 2023 USFL College Draft pick by the Showboats did his second tour of duty with the Jets only to be released after a couple days with the team.
Final Thoughts and Final Numbers:
In 2022, 57 players from the USFL would sign NFL contracts after the season with 7 of those players still on NFL rosters in 2024. In 2023, 111 players would sign NFL between the USFL and XFL with 27 of those players still on NFL rosters. As the NFL begins to push into August it is important to note 12 of those players were able to remain on NFL rosters after signing contracts after August 1st in 2022 and 2023.
With 29 players signed, and 27 players still in NFL training camp it does appear that the 2024 season for spring football could be the lowest output of spring football players to earn an NFL opportunity since the return of the USFL in 2022. Regardless, spring football continues to provide a platform for players to showcase their skills and build their brands as they fight for their football career. With the continued success of those spring football players who do successfully transition to the NFL like Brandon Aubrey, KaVontae Turpin, Taylor Heinicke and P.J. Walker, the need for extended development in the spring is crucial in allowing players showcase their skills in hopes of making a name for themselves.
