As 2024 comes to a close, the Battlehawks return some familiar faces for the 2025 season. Returning for the Battlehawks 3rd consecutive season, are two stalwarts of the rebooted franchise Jaryd Jones-Smith, and Freedom Akinmoladun both of whom have been with the Battlehawks since their return to St. Louis.
While the UFL Public Relations announced the signing of Akinmoladun, the signing of Jaryd Jones-Smith was announced by MLFootball via “X”. Jones-Smith recently spent training camp with the Atlanta Falcons and has played for six NFL teams. He made appearances with the Las Vegas Raiders and the Baltimore Ravens in 2020 and 2021. In addition to his NFL resume Jones-Smith has also spent time with the AAF’s San Antonio Commanders during his first stint in spring football. Over the past Two seasons, Jones-Smith has earned two All-League selections in enroute to contracts with the Commanders and Falcons.
Akinmoladun returns for his 3rd season with the Battlehawks and 4th season in spring football. A UDFA out of Nebraska, the Missouri Native has spent time with the Giants, Bengals, Titans and Jets appearing in 5 games over Three seasons. Akinmoladun would spend 2022 with the USFL’s Philadelphia Stars before being selected by the Battlehawks in 1st round of the XFL Supplemental Draft. Akinmoladun has totaled 51 Tackles, and 4.5 Sacks over the last Three seasons in Spring Football.
As St. Louis progresses through the final stages of the off-season the Battlehawks roster sits at 43 players who have signed their LOI’s for the 2025 season. While St. Louis looks to bring in some “youth” for the upcoming season, Anthony Becht and co, have continued to bring back key pieces that have allowed the franchise to record a 14-7 record over the past Two seasons. The 2025 is scheduled to begin March 28th for the Battlehawks and the rest of the UFL.
