Player movements are always apart of Football no matter what league a fan is watching. With the creation of the UFL, half of the workforce of the XFL and USFL were cut in half leaving droves of players now without a home. While many players would find refuge in the CFL, and various Arena Leagues this past week saw numerous players hang out the cleats, and begin moving forward to the next phase of their lives.
Jordan Evans DC Defenders:
Evans was waived by the D.C. Defenders during UFL Training Camp prior to the regular season. Evans was a mainstay on the Cincinnati Bengals for Five seasons before an ACL tear ended his NFL career. Evans would take his talents to the XFL’s Seattle Sea Dragons, before an injury in late April ended his season. Evans ends his career with 140 Tackles (127 NFL, 13 XFL), and 3.5 sacks in his pro career.
Hercules Mata’afa Birmingham Stallions/Free Agent:
After being released during final cuts after his All-USFL season with the New Jersey Generals Hercules Mata’afa, took to social media to announce his intention to cease playing. Mata’afa began his career in the NFL with the Minnesota Vikings before eventually making his way to the USFL after a short stint with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Mata’afa finishes his career with 25 tackles and 6 sacks in the USFL with 25 Tackles along with 2.5 sacks in his NFL career.
Carlo Kemp Houston Roughnecks:
Kemp was a charter member of the 2022 Pittsburgh Maulers earning a contract with the Los Angeles Chargers after the 2022 USFL season. Kemp would spend all of 2022 with the Chargers however, was released during the 2023 NFL training Camp. Kemp would return to spring football with the Birmingham Stallions only to be released finishing his career with the Houston Roughnecks. Kemp finishes his spring football career with 59 Tackles and 5.0 sacks, along with stints in the NFL with the Packers, Broncos and Chargers.
B.J. Wilson San Antonio Brahmas:
A personal friend of mine, B.J. Wilson took to his YouTube Channel to announce what happened during his time in UFL with the San Antonio Brahmas. Wilson who was Division-II’s Quincy University’s first player to sign an NFL contract, told his followers that a pre-existing injuries to his Knees forced him to retire early. The St. Louis native has had stints with the Carolina Panthers, Edmonton Elks, before being signed by the Houston Roughnecks, and later drafted by the San Antonio Brahmas.
Scooby Wright Birmingham Stallions:
While it hasn’t been confirmed by the league in a now deleted “X” post Scooby Wright Linebacker for the Birmingham Stallions posted a picture of his cleats being “hung up” on goal posts. Wright was recently placed on the Stallions Injured Reserve, in his Third Season with the Stallions. Wright came out of the University of Arizona as one of the leagues top Linebackers even at one point earning Heisman Votes. Wright amassed over 100 tackles in his Pro Football career that spanned Seven seasons across the NFL, AAF, XFL, USFL, and UFL. Still technically on the Stallions roster, Wright does has a chance to earn his Third Championship with Birmingham if Skip Holtz and company earn their “Three-Peat”.
Final Thoughts:
As the UFL finds its footing it appears a changing of the guard is happening with older “veterans” finding their way on the outside looking in as the league marches towards the future. Over the past couple weeks Spring Football standouts like Taylor Russolino, Channing Stribling, and Jordan Suell all have found themselves without a team as new players continue to join the ranks.
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