With both the UFL and NFL in their offseason lulls, it's the perfect time to dive into some offseason content. As the UFL awaits the next wave of NFL signings for the 2026 player acquisition cycle, 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 begin the series with the New England Patriots, highlighting every spring league player the organization has signed over the past four years.
2022 Cycle:
The Patriots seemed to have struck gold with Jeremiah Pharms (Pittsburgh Maulers) who in addition to spending the last four years with the team has been a consistent contributor on their team appearing in 31 games over four seasons. Pharms remains on the team going into the 2026 season. The team also signed Devin Hafford (Pittsburgh Maulers), who spent training camp with the team. Later additions like Tae Hayes (Birmingham Stallions) and Tucker Addington (Houston Gamblers) would also make late season appearances for the Patriots, who were sprung into action due to injury. Hunter Thedford (Pittsburgh Maulers) also transitioned from Tight End to Offensive Tackle, earning a month on New England’s practice squad.
2023 Cycle:
The Patriots signed four XFL players and three USFL players from the 2023 signing cycle. CJ Marable (Birmingham Stallions), Micah Vanterpool (New Jersey Generals), and Carson Wells (St. Louis Battlehawks) all served as training camp invites. Mathew Sexton (Vegas Vipers) would join the team on their practice squad for a short stint, along with John Parker Romo (San Antonio Brahmas), also having a practice squad stint in 2024, spending 2025 training camp with the team.
Late in 2023, New England signed La’Michael Pettway (Birmingham Stallions), who would finish the 2023 season on the Active Roster, only to be released at the conclusion of 2024 training camp. Recently, the team also took a chance on Niko Lalos (Seattle Sea Dragons), who transitioned from Defensive Line to Longsnapper, but unfortunately was released in May of 2026.
2024 Cycle:
Post merger, the Patriots signed three UFL players two of which would spend time on their practice squad. A.J. Thomas (Birmingham Stallions), and Liam Fornadel (D.C. Defenders) both earned spots on New England’s practice squad, with Josiah Bronson (Memphis Showboats), being released during training camp.
2025 Cycle:
The 2025 class saw four players from the UFL. Yasir Durant (D.C. Defenders), and Deneric Prince (Memphis Showboats) both ended their seasons on injured reserve. Jashaun Corbin (San Antonio Brahmas), would spend part of 2025 on the Patriots practice squad, with Alec Lindstrom getting released during training camp.
Currently, the Patriots have signed 19 players over the last five seasons. The team has yet to sign any players from the UFL so far this signing cycle so far. UFL to NFL signings will continue once the teams begin training camp, later in July.