
This weekend was a productive one for the Stallions, who watched as two more of their players were signed to NFL contracts. Quarterback Adrian Martinez who looked like an NFL lock for most of the season has finally found an NFL team, and Offensive Linemen Zach Johnson was also signed. Where did they sign and how do they fit with their new team?
Adrian Martinez, UFL MVP
Adrian Martinez may have finished the season with the UFL MVP award, but it didn’t always look pretty during the regular season, and he even ended up on the bench during a playoff game. Despite that, he showed enough promise on top of his already rare athleticism that it was only a matter of time before a team took a chance on him.
The New York Jets have opted to release two players with UFL ties; quarterback Ben Bryant, and cornerback Nehemiah Shelton to bring in Martinez who is on his 6th NFL team since 2021.
The Jets have two veterans atop their depth chart are Aaron Rodgers, and Tyrod Taylor, they also selected Jordan Thomas in the 5th round, and Andrew Peasley. However, Thomas suffered a late injury in 2023 and could miss some time to start the season as he was placed on the Non-Football Injury List. The Jets seem to want an athletic developmental prospect on the roster behind the veterans.
Jordan Travis rushed for over 1,900 yards and 31 touchdowns in college. Andrew Peasley ran a 4.65 40-yard dash at his pro day and managed to rush for over 700 yards and 9 touchdowns in just two seasons as a starter. Martinez meanwhile, is easily the most athletic and productive of the three when it comes to the run game having collected over 2,900 yards rushing and 45 touchdowns while running a 4.55.
Martinez’s chances of making the Jets heading into 2024 rely on one of two things happening. Beating out Andrew Peasley, or Jordan Travis’s injury leading to a redshirt season. Before the draft it was said Travis was aiming to be 100% ready to go in April for the draft, it is now late July and he was placed on the injury list. That has to be concerning for his status in 2024, but it also could ultimately be in Travis’s best interests long term to sit out the 2024 season and simply focus on learning the playbook and watching two respected veterans work.
Zach Johnson, All-UFL Guard/Center
Zach Johnson is a very valuable player when it comes to adding depth. He began his college career as a redshirt freshman before playing as a depth piece at right tackle. Beginning his career at left tackle he played sparingly, but managed snaps in the last few games of 2016. He would play a total of 935 snaps at right tackle, and later shift to guard where he played 977 snaps before graduating in 2020.
Fast forward to his professional career, and after bouncing around on a few teams, and not playing, he finally saw his first NFL on-field action with the Titans late in the season. He ironically played 4 tackles at left tackle but turned around and played right tackle on the field goal unit. Johnson would return to the Titans in 2023 and compete for a roster spot but wind up being released in final cuts. He wasted no time finding a new home with the Stallions for their 2024 spring football season.
With the Stallions Johnson shifted inside to guard where he played 559 snaps on offense, and 9 on field goal unit. He also played 70 snaps at center in week 4, and 1 snap as an inline tight end or 6th offensive lineman. At this point, Johnson has played every position except left guard in the professional ranks. He is in theory a player who could play all 5 positions across the offensive line, as well as add value on special teams in multiple ways.
He has not played on the field goal block unit yet in his career, but in high school he not only played offensive line but defensive tackle and kicker as well. This versatility to fill many roles could ultimately be the reason he makes the roster. Not many players have legitimate experience at four out of five offensive line positions.
The Stallions have now sent a total of six players to the NFL, if we are counting Ramiz Ahmed. Ahmed was released when Chris Blewitt returned from injury, and this allowed him to get a jump on signing with an NFL team. He was signed on June 4th. They also watched as Dondrea Tillman, Ricky Person Jr., Kevin Austin Jr., Adrian Martinez, and Zach Johnson. I don’t expect Johnson to be the last Stallion to sign an NFL contract before the 2025 UFL season.
Jordan Thompson Retires
Defensive Tackle Jordan Thompson has chosen to retire after winning three straight championships with the Birmingham Stallions. Thompson played his college football at Northwestern. He would wind up a three-year starter for the university, playing alongside guys like Clayton Thorson, Ramaud Chiaokhiao-Bowman, Greg Newsome II, and Paddy Fisher all of which have played professionally in some respect.
He leaves behind a football career that saw him spend time with the 49ers in 2019, play in the XFL with Seattle in 2020, and with the Stallions from 2022-2024. The former communications major will now look to the next chapter in his life. Best of luck to Thompson.
The Stallions have now watched as they have lost seven players to the NFL or retirement. This creates holes for now, but as we know from previous seasons there is a chance one or more of these NFL signees are released and return to the Stallions. When your backup plan to the NFL is making $60,000+ in just 4 months…this allows players to dabble in starting a career outside of football, while still training, and getting current film in their pursuit of the next level.