With the conclusion of UFL training camps, the Columbus Aviators have made their final roster cuts, releasing 13 players. This brings the roster down to the league-mandated 50-man roster.
Players Released
The Aviators parted ways with the following players:
WR Tyreik McAllister
OT Juwann Bushell-Beatty
OT Caleb Jones
OG Matthew Jones
DT Olive Sagapolu
DE Antwan Davis
DE Celestin Haba
LB J.B. Brown
LB Anthony Butler
CB Shon Stephens
S Marcus Barnes
S Smoke Monday
S Shawn Preston Jr.
OT Juwann Bushell-Beatty was of the biggest surprises from these names released to me was the release of Juwann Bushell-Beatty who was an integral part of the St. Louis Battlehawks offensive line for 3 seasons.
OT Caleb Jones played his last games in the 2024 NFL preseason with Green Bay where he allowed only 1 pressure over 81 pass blocking snaps per Pro Football Focus. If the Aviator’s struggle to protect the right side of the pocket against the talented edge rushers of the UFL it will be hard to not think about these cuts. OG Matthew Jones is another player with their last games being in the ‘24 NFL preseason. He played in 31 pass blocking snaps with Green Bay and did not allow a pressure per PFF.
WR Tyreik McAllister was a surprise on this list. Tyreik McAlister's rookie season in the CFL showed his versatility as a return man and receiver in 2023 leading to him spending time with the Las Vegas Raiders throughout the 2024 season. He had the longest kick return average and most all purpose yards in the CFL in 2023.
DE Celestin Haba was another player who emerged in the 2023 CFL season when he had 4 sacks, 12 tackles, and a forced fumble over 8 games with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. 2025 saw him appear in 3 games with the Toronto Argonauts, recording 3 tackles and a sack.
DT Olive Sagapolu had 15 total tackles with the Houston Roughnecks last season. DE Antwan Davis played for Norfolk State last year, where he had 23 total tackles, 2 sacks, and 3.5 TFLs over 9 games.
LB JB Brown finished his NCAA career with Kansas in 2024. He played in 2 preseason games with the Denver Broncos in 2025, recording a solo tackle and an assisted tackle. LB Anthony Butler played for the Memphis Showboats in 2024, where he made 16 solo tackles and 9 assisted tackles over 6 games.
CB Shon Stephens is a Ferris State product who made a solo tackle in his 2 game appearance in the 2024 preseason with the Philadelphia Eagles. S Marcus Barnes finished his NCAA career in 2024 with William & Mary, where he had 69 total tackles and 4 interceptions over 12 games in 2024. S Smoke Monday is another player who briefly spent time in the CFL when he was with the Montreal Alouettes through training camp and preseason until final cuts in 2024. He had 20 tackles and an interception over 5 games in the IFL in 2025.
Final Thought
Over the last 2 seasons, we have seen teams struggle to match the talented pass rushers in the UFL. Seeing Columbus release 2 good options at tackle could require some reflection if struggles in protecting the edge emerges in the future.