With the NFL back in full swing during training camp several UFL players continue to earn their opportunities as teams prepare for the 2026 season. With training camp in full swing,we're taking a look back at how each NFL team has utilized spring football as a developmental pipeline during the modern era of spring football since 2022. We continue the series with the Atlanta Falcons, highlighting every spring league player the organization has signed over the past four years.
2022 Cycle:
Despite the Falcons being one of spring football’s more supportive franchises, the Atlanta Falcons did not initially sign any players from the USFL during the 2022 season. It wasn’t until December where the Falcons signed Safety Micah Abernathy (Houston Gamblers), to their team, where he’d spend 2022 through 2024 with the team. Abernathy remained unsigned after the 2024 season, appearing in 18 games for Atlanta.
2023 Cycle:
The 2023 spring football signing cycle would see 13 players from the XFL and USFL during a jam packed spring. Atlanta would see multiple players earn contracts and multiple opportunities on their practice squad. While Delontae Scott (San Antonio Brahmas), Matthew Gotel (San Antonio Brahmas), Michal Menet (Seattle Sea Dragons), and Caveon Patten (Orlando Guardians) would all be released during training camp several members of the 23’ class would earn practice squad stints, with some being members of the team today.
Barry Wesley (Seattle Sea Dragons) and Lukas Denis (St. Louis Battlehawks) remained with the team during the entire 2023 season, getting released during training camp in 2024. Frank Ginda (Michigan Panthers) and A.J. Tarpley (Pittsburgh Maulers) were both midseason practice squad additions who finished the year with the Falcons before rejoining the UFL. Mathew Sexton (Vegas Vipers) also spent several weeks with the team on their practice squad before his release in late September 2023.
The Falcons did find contributors in 2023 as well with Lacale London (St. Louis Battlehawks) and Chris Blair (D.C. Defenders) still on the roster during the 2026 season. Kicker John Parker Romo (San Antonio Brahmas), also had a stint for the team in 2025, as a replacement for Younghoe Koo, a long time member of the team. In 2025, the Falcons also signed QB Ben DiNucci (Seattle Sea Dragons) to finish the preseason with the team last year.
2024 Cycle:
The 2024 signing class saw less success than its previous class. Five UFL players would earned contracts with the Falcons with none of them making the team.Jaryd Jones-Smith (St. Louis Battlehawks), Prince Emili (San Antonio Brahmas), Julien Davenport (San Antonio Brahmas), Jordan Thomas (Birmingham Stallions) and Storey Jackson (Arlington Renegades) all were released at the conclusion of training camp.
2025 Cycle:
The 2025 signing class saw a bit more success than 2024, however still failed to reach the success of the 2023 or even the 2022 class. While Jashaun Corbin (San Antonio Brahmas) and Henry Black (San Antonio Brahmas) failed to make the roster, EDGE Ronnie Perkins (Birmingham Stallions) did manage to earn some time on the Falcons practice squad.
So far the Falcons have signed 25 players from spring football teams since 2022. The 2026 class has seen the Falcons DL Devonnsha Maxwell (D.C. Defenders), EDGE Keshawn Banks (Orlando Storm) and WR Antwane Wells (Columbus Aviators) who are joining Lacale London, and Chris Blair both of which are going into their 4th season with the team. The Falcons recently finished their 1st preseason game of the season, and will look to continue to add pieces from the UFL in hopes of finding key contributors for the upcoming season.