The UFL off-season was another that brought big changes both at the league and team level. Three new franchises were ushered in, one other got a face-lift, and all had to reset their rosters. As for the players, many returned, but some left for greener pastures in the NFL or CFL. Then there were those that decided to walk away from the game altogether. While many important cogs return to their 2025 teams (or the teams that inherited 2025 rosters), new faces will look to replace key losses. Here is one important player gone from last year's teams, and the new arrival most likely to replace that production.
Out: K Harrison Mevis (NFL - Los Angeles Rams)
In: K Jonathan Garibay
One of the most accurate kickers in the league last year, Mevis also had one of the strongest legs. After losing out on the New York Jets' kicking job in camp, Mevis was signed by Los Angeles midway through the year and solidified his future there with a solid performance. Garibay made 13-of-14 field goals for Arlington in 2024 after the team decided to move on from Taylor Russolino. Curiously, Garibay did not suit up in spring football last year. He's back in 2026, this time with Birmingham. With Garibay's track record, it should be another season of not having to worry about the kicking game for the Stallions.
Columbus Aviators (2025 Michigan Panthers)
Out: QB Bryce Perkins (CFL - Winnipeg Blue Bombers)
In: QB Jalan McClendon
I bet Ted Ginn Jr. would feel a lot more comfortable in his first head coaching role if he had a player the caliber of Perkins under center. Perkins opted for the CFL this year and Columbus was able to add McClendon via assignment. McClendon played a big part in Houston's success last season after he took over as starter from Anthony Brown. He's learning a new offense under coordinator Todd Haley, but with Clayton Tune, another assignment addition, choosing to instead seek an NFL deal, McClendon is the unquestioned starter in camp. That will allow him to maximize reps with his first team and get comfortable in the offense prior to week one.
Dallas Renegades
Out: TE Sal Cannella (NFL - Cleveland Browns)
In: TE Peyton Hendershot
Seth Green, who backed up Cannella last year, may get the first crack at the starting job (his comfortability with QB Luis Perez could play a role), but don't be surprised to see Hendershot's role increase as the year progresses. A former Indiana Hoosier, Hendershot spent 2022 and 2023 with the Dallas Cowboys and has 20 career NFL receptions. His size is comparable to Cannella (6'4" 246 lbs vs. 6'4", 242 lbs) and he caught 136 balls in four years at Indiana. There's a new offensive coordinator in Noel Mazzone, so we'll see if the tight ends get as involved in the pass game as they did under Chuck Long.
D.C. Defenders
Out: LB Anthony Hines (Houston Gamblers)
In: LB Micah Baskerville
The regional allocation process ripped Hines away from D.C., where he had played 27 regular season games over the past three years, and sent him to Houston. He was the leading tackler on the Defenders in 2025, adding three sacks, five tackles for loss, and tying for the team lead in fumble recoveries. D.C.'s 4-2-5 defense utilizes two linebackers the majority of the time, and Baskerville could step in as one of those two. Signed in May last year, Baskerville got acclimated as a backup but could be in line for more playing time this year. While D.C. has more continuity on its roster than any other team, they did lose both their starting linebackers - Momo Sanogo did not return to the UFL for 2026. Even if he did, playing college at Louisville may have taken him away from D.C. and to the Kings anyway.
Houston Gamblers (2025 Houston Roughnecks)
Out: S Leon O'Neal Jr. (D.C. Defenders)
In: S Glendon Miller
O'Neal went unprotected by Houston in the 2026 Draft, claimed by D.C. in the UFL Defensive Backs Phase. Miller was then selected by the Gamblers in the Free Agent Phase to shore up the back end of the defense. O'Neal was a find for Houston in 2025, finishing second on the team in tackles and tying for second in special teams stops. Enter Miller, who spent time with the Kansas City Chiefs in training camp last summer. Miller can play free safety (O'Neal's old position) or nickel, plus he has the physicality to offer run support (O'Neal had four tackles for loss last year).
Louisville Kings (2025 Memphis Showboats)
Out: K Matt Coghlin
In: K Tanner Brown
When you've won four games in two years, a roster refresh isn't such a bad thing. The biggest loss may be at kicker, where Coghlin was a steadying presence the past few seasons. Last year, he connected on nearly 90% of his field goals. He wasn't brought back for 2026, as instead, the Kings drafted Tanner Brown out of Oklahoma State. Brown has been in NFL training camps with the Rams and Atlanta Falcons and made 95.7% of his field goals in his final college season at Oklahoma State. Despite Coghlin's 5'9" stature, Brown will have big shoes to fill in Louisville.
Orlando Storm (2025 San Antonio Brahmas)
Out: LB Jordan Williams (St. Louis Battlehawks)
In: LB Deion Jennings
Head Coach Anthony Becht loves his Rutgers players and Jennings is another from that school. Williams and Tavante Beckett formed a fearsome tandem at linebacker for the Brahmas the last three years but are now split up going into 2026. There are a few candidates to start opposite Beckett, including Andrew Parker and Darien Butler. In his 3-4 alignment, Defensive Coordinator Donnie Abraham can use Beckett or Jennings as he did Mike Rose in recent seasons in St. Louis. Jennings has spent NFL time with the Baltimore Ravens and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
St. Louis Battlehawks
Out: G Steven Gonzalez (retired)
In: G Javion Cohen
St. Louis will be replacing both starting guards, with Gonzalez and Abdul Beecham (Renegades) now gone. Initially added by Birmingham, Gonzalez chose to retire and enter the coaching ranks at his alma mater, Penn State. In three seasons with the Battlehawks, Gonzalez was named all-league twice, once in the XFL and once in the UFL. Cohen attended the University of Miami (Fla.) and was on the practice squad of the Cleveland Browns throughout 2024. Cohen is one starting option; another is center Sincere Haynesworth, whose path to a starting job at the pivot is likely blocked by the returning Mike Panasiuk. St. Louis could opt to move Haynesworth to guard.