There are a lot of questions for the Battlehawks going into 2025, but one piece of the puzzle has been filled in as of Monday Afternoon. Jacob Saylors was announced via the UFL PR “X” account that he will be returning following his NFL opportunities with the Browns and Giants during the 2024 NFL Training Camp.
Saylors was a late signing for St. Louis in February of 2024 due to the “retirement” of Max Borghi. After an injury to Mataeo Durant, Saylors stepped up and surpassed NFL veteran Wayne Gallman as not only the premier back for the Battlehawks but the UFL as well. Saylors finished 2024 with 461 Rushing Yards (2nd in UFL), 152 Receiving Yards, and 8 Touchdowns which led the UFL, en-route to his All-UFL selection.
Saylors now joins a Battlehawks Running Back room that has seen Missouri State Alum Kevon Latulas, and 3rd Year Battlehawk Mataeo Durant both sign their LOIs. So far the Battlehawks have signed 39 players to their 2025 roster, with 28 players returning from 2024. The Battlehawks have put together Two straight seasons of a 7-3 record with one playoff appearance that resulted in a loss to the San Antonio Brahmas.
2 Comments
by Ken Granito
I feel bad sometimes. I look at the hard work that Patrick Rifino, Sue Levine and Mark Perry do at the News Hub and a super, young writer like James Larsen does out of the Pro Football Newsroom and Greg Parks & UFLBoard.com all do and I am thankful. I do wish some of the other fans of the league would correspond. I do see something every now and again from 4th & Long and some others, but pretty much I don’t see as many responses. As long as we aren’t tearing the league down I would love to read your thoughts, whether I agree with them or not and I am happy to converse ideas.
As far as this week goes, I am going to piggyback off of the articles that talk about where we are as we are around 110 days to camp. To date the UFL has done a fine job of bringing back many of their base players. This has allowed them to know they have to prepare for camp. Being they only have about 4 weeks of actual camp or less this is a good thing. I am not saying not to bring in late signings when they can improve your team, but as the Stallions proved last year often it’s good in football to trust in the strengths of football. Those are to build a team, to work alone and then together as a team in one goal of winning a championship, with the knowledge that the team goals will also improve your individual goals. To this Kevin Austin Jr caught 2 passes yesterday for 36 yards in an actual NFL game, not in a practice squad setting. I understand some people aren’t ready to sign. In some cases players are awaiting their opportunities and teams are awaiting there’s. This is why I sometimes question if Houston didn’t sign too many players off the top, not affording the flexibility that would come later. That stated. They had special circumstances. They had players that were looking out for their own good over the good of the team, so I understand Will Lewis bringing in people he had faith in. Not hopefully players will see enough change and feel Houston is a good place to land. As we weigh the roster spots available as a whole and positionally, I feel it a good homework assignment to see about signing the following this week. I have one, in some players an either/or situation.
Stallions: Elijah Sullivan. I don’t know how many linebackers you plan to bring to camp, but I can’t imagine one of them isn’t Elijah Sullivan. I could be wrong as I don’t know what he was like in the locker room. On the field he was not afraid to tackle.
Showboats: DJ Daniel plays in the team concept. He will play tight man to man coverage. This allows the line and linebackers an opportunity to apply pressure and allow for more players in the box to stop the run and crossers. IF you feel you can account for a pass rush and to cut down on the openness of the middle of the field, he will be a great addition to your squad. To sign him only makes sense. When you think of all the members of the secondary that will be signed, he needs to be one of them. Sign him now so he can workout with an eye toward the competition ahead. If not him, Vinny Papale. If you are going to bring 8 or 9 receivers to camp, he needs to be one. Sometimes he and Adams’ strengths overlap, but Papale does not have the tools Adams’ has and very few have the ability to catch the ball get the first down, never slowing from what goal he has, getting hit, avoiding most of the hit, preparing for the next down.
Roughnecks: Two words Chris Odom. Chris if you want to play, sign now. You are too good to be retired. You do both the ordinary and extraordinary. If you feel you want to play just sign. The Roughnecks will take you. Will Lewis knows football.
Panthers: If not Ryan Pope than Josh Dunlap. I wasn’t so sure about Ryan Pope. Podcasters and the like had talked about him in alt leagues for some time, but he never seemed to shine. Last year when you had trouble at Tackle he did a fine job of allowing your team to do what you need to do without juggling the line so much. If not Pope, Josh Dunlap. He did a fine job last year.
Battlehawks: When building a team of new players you need to have the one players that does everything well, all the time. Darrius Sheppard can be counted on the return kicks and punts always providing the ability to bust a big one with minimal risk to losing the ball or yards. Additionally, he is always one of the most polished and committed receivers on the field. Whether a deep ball down a seem or a drag route to get the first down, he needs to be in the Battlehawks arsenal.
Renegades: As every team needs someone to stretch the field as well as be a short and mid-range threat you need to sign Javonta Payton. You need to sign him, you may as well just do it already. If not address the line with Bobby Evans or someone else you want to sign.
Defenders: Vyncint Smith: Kelvin Harmon waited for years to get his opportunity. He failed to catch on with the Philadelphia Stars, then the CFL and I can tell you, when you saw him last year, it was clear he was an NFL receiver and was signed by the Cowboys to their practice squad. Vyncint Smith got some snaps a little later in the year and showed the big-play capabilities I remember from the NFL. He should do better with a camp behind him. I expect a big year. IF he is willing to see where this goes, sign him now so he can get camp ready. One thing to know you should get ready. It’s another thing to have to get ready.
Delontae Scott: This guy causes trouble. It makes sense for both player and organization to get this done. If not, Alex Mollette. I know Tecklenberg finished last year strong, but I remember his reputation was that of a good lineman and you can’t have too many of those. Ask any team in the NFL.
These are just some ideas, but I do really feel these make sense. You know better than I do, but just look at some tape. IF you feel these grade out well, reach out to the player and see if they want to come to camp. Good luck to podcasters and to the league.
by Ken Granito
My English was poor with regards to Vinny Papale. Though Adams has some some overlap with Papale and is both bigger and stronger, but Papale has the awareness that every ball thrown has a goal. If the goal is the first down, he gets it, touchdown he gets it, out of bounds, he does everything he can to get there. He also gets every yard out of the play, catches everything and though he is tackled getting every yard he also avoids the largest part of the hit allowing him to get up for the next play. He plays like he has an “S” on his chest under his jersey. Hoping to see him on the field this upcoming Spring.