After the Battlehawks signed two NFL veterans to their team, Dave Boller and Anthony Becht brought back some familiar faces for the upcoming season. As St. Louis moves towards the end of the year, the Battlehawks continue to fill in the final pieces of their roster as training camp comes creeping up.
Jarveon Howard Running Back
Howard originally signed with Syracuse coming out of High School before spending his final Two seasons at Alcorn State. Howard totaled 2,159 Rushing Yards and 27 Rushing Touchdowns in his college career enroute to a UDFA opportunity with the Packers.
Lukas Denis Free Safety
Denis returns to the Battlehawks for his second season after spending part of the last Two seasons with the Falcons. After totaling 37 tackles, 2 INTs and 1.0 sack in 2023, Denis earned an opportunity with the Atlanta Falcons, spending the entire NFL on the Practice Squad. Despite a strong camp, Denis found himself released at the conclusion of training camp, and now returns to spring football.
Mike Panasiuk Center
Mike P as he’s known among Battlehawk fans, is a fan favorite returning for his Third spring Football season. Originally a Defensive Lineman, Panasiuk has earned All-XFL and All-UFL honors during his tenure with the Battlehawks since transitioning to Center. Panasiuk would earn a contract with the Indianapolis Colts at the conclusion of the UFL season however, would be released at during final cuts.
Nate Meadors Defensive Back
Meadors returns to the Battlehawks after opting for a futures deal with the Steelers for 2024. Meadors spent 2023 with the Battlehawks recording 37 tackles, and 2 interceptions earning a contract with the Browns at the conclusion of the XFL season. Meadors would sign his LOI with the Battlehawks on December 11th of 2023, only to finish up 2023 on the Steelers practice squad.
Drew Lewis Linebacker
Lewis returns to the Battlehawks for his 5th season in spring football. A late camp replacement for Johnny Buchanan, Lewis was released at training camp only to be brought back after an injury to Callahan O’Reilly. Lewis appeared in Two games for the Battlehawks in 2024 registering 3 tackles. In his career Lewis has totaled 57 tackles and 1.0 sack throughout stints with the Houston Gamblers, San Antonio Brahmas, Houston Roughnecks, and Battlehawks.
Sam Wiglusz Wide Receiver
Wiglusz was a UDFA with the Rams coming out of the University of Ohio in 2024, earning a spot on their practice squad until October 31st. Wiglusz was a Two-time All-MAC selection after transferring to Ohio from Ohio State in 2022.
Other Battlehawks News:
Punter Sterling Hofrichter worked out for the Arizona Cardinals and Kicker Andre Szmyt worked out for the Cleveland Browns this past week. Both were not signed and remain rostered with the Battlehawks.
The Battlehawks roster now sits at 51 going into the 3rd week of December. While many position groups seem to be filling out, St. Louis has yet to make any transactions at Quarterback other than releasing A.J. McCarron. Last season the Battlehawks went 7-3 losing in the XFL Conference Championship game to the San Antonio Brahmas. The UFL schedule is rumored to be released before the end of the year during the FOX and ESPN broadcast according to Mike Mitchell of Sports Illustrated.
2 Comments
by Ken Granito
With around 70 days before camp starts and around 120 players that have yet to be signed some things are clear. We have many more prospects than spots available. This is one of the reasons for expansion. I have heard from more than one outlet they are looking to get younger. I don’t know about you, but I feel the league just needs to continue to get better. If you look at it from that aspect the league will get younger on its own. As a salary it is clearly good enough to pay the bills and even get a house at a mortgage and if you are signed to a NFL camp, you really have a decent salary while chasing your dream and playing the game you love. However, a player only has a few years of that and since they are not making millions so there is always going to be turnover. We don’t have to say we are trying to get younger. Better is sufficient. This is most important as we remember the product needs to be good on the field. To that point there are so many good football players that will remain free agents when camp begins. Some of the ones that I hope to see in camp are Marcus Simms and Breeland Speaks in Michigan. Jace Sternberger, Deon Cain, Zach Johnson, Matt Corral and/or Alex McGough in Birmingham. Chris Odom in Houston. Vinny Papale and Alex Lindstrom in Memphis. Luis Perez, Sal Cannella, Javonta Payton, Deontay Burnett & Tyler Vaughns in Arlington. The Brahmas are set pretty set but maybe Alex Mollette and Wyatt Ray and Defenders Jordan Ta’amu, Vyncint Smith, Keke Coutee, Malik Fisher, Deandre Baker. So it’s good to have young players and some of these players remain young, but overall they are good players. There are still places for young players, which leads us to the Battlehawks. Even with the list of receivers that are on the team, especially if Andy Isabella finds himself back in the fold, we definitely have room for Darrius Sheppard. If he is not an option Marcell Ateman and Steven Mitchell are all options of where one or two comes back if the other spots are filled. They have all contributed to the team and are still capable if the quarterback is back. I would love for Mike Rose and Elijah Lee to come back, but we shall see on them. I largely live in reality when it comes to sports, but sometimes I like to dream. With Rich Rodriguez getting the West Virginia job, I am hoping this means Anthony Becht will be the head coach in St. Louis for this year and that he won’t be following up on any position positions in the NFL. I have always said I think he needs that experience and he still may. The thing that sets him apart is his ability to recognize football players when he sees them and holds them to the standard of being a football player and his ability to learn. He doesn’t stop learning. Normally you think you should be a more experienced coach before he has this job, but that is not his fault. He was offered the position, ready or not and he took it. Has he lost games due to his inexperience? He has. I have watched him, but he also, often corrects the mistake. He is a quick study. That stated, if he can realize he needs to stay, we can get done to the business of QB. I had already stated I like Reid Sinnett for at least the #2 spot. There were other options. Greg Parks of the UFLBoard mentioned Ben DiNucci and Jacob Eason. I am familiar with DiNucci a little less for Eason, but I know I agree that DiNucci is a strong possibility. You see St. Louis has the continued pressure of sustaining a good offense. Because the fan base has continued to support the Battlehawks, they are showing the league they better provide a good option here or 10,000 fan can come right off the top. There is one player that to me is more accomplished than AJ McCarron who to me would do an even better job. McLeod Bethel-Thompson. I know he is in the CFL. He was just traded from the Edmonton Elks to the Montreal Alouettes. Per Alouettes General Manager Danny Maciocia, “McLeod is a veteran in the CFL, and he could be a great backup for our team.” I don’t know that he sees himself as a backup. He becomes a free agent in February. I feel he would be THE fit in St. Louis. He throws the ball very well. Maybe he won’t place it as well as McCarron and he will throw more interceptions. McCarron is a master at ball control. However, MBT has 17,009 yards in the CFL and 2,433 in the USFL. He completes passes at 66.7% is gritty when he needs to get the first down, not afraid to put his body in harms way to get it and truly understands and is a football player, much the way I said Anthony Becht is and expects his players to be. MBT will be the sounding board for Bruce Gradowksi, the football players for Anthony Becht, the player who let’s his playmakers make plays and will overall be the star the fans in St. Louis deserve. Please check into the legalities because this is the break you were looking for.
by Gary Winter
Glad the Battlehawks seemingly landed on their feet with the quarterback situation they strangely put themselves in. After fumbling the situation with AJ McCarron pretty badly, they’ve gone the route of many by picking up 2 mobile quarterbacks to add to the one they have returning from prior seasons. I wasn’t particularly happy with letting McCarron go but it seems they’ve found some potentially good replacements. With a couple fan favorites gone, I hope this doesn’t affect attendance too much. McCarron and Hakeem Butler have been fantastic for the Battlehawks and will be missed. I haven’t really heard about Butler’s future but there’s been no mention of him in anything I’ve read so I’m just wondering if he’s decided not to return.
Does anyone know how season tickets sales have been going to date?