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 New Orleans Saints, highlighting every spring league player the organization has signed over the past four years.
2022 Cycle:
The Saints would sign four players from the USFL upon the return of spring football. Unfortunately DB Quinton Meeks (Tampa Bay Bandits), DL T.J. Carter (Michigan Panthers), QB K.J. Costello (Philadelphia Stars), and DB Brian Allen (Birmingham Stallions) all would be released at the conclusion of training camp.
2023 Cycle:
The initial three signings of the Spring football players came from the XFL’s 2023 class, and one more member some time later. Jack Heflin (Houston Roughnecks), Niko Lalos (Seattle Sea Dragons) and WR Jontre Kirklin (Houston Roughnecks) all would serve time on the Saints practice squad with Heflin and Lalos’ tenure going into 2024. By 2025, all three would be off the Saints roster, however Lalos and Heflin are rostered on NFL teams in 2026, with Kirklin still in the UFL this past spring.
In 2024, due to an injury to QB Derek Carr, New Orleans would sign Ben DiNucci on their practice squad for the remainder of the season. DiNucci would be released in April of 2025, before he joined the Falcons and the Broncos this past season.
2024 Cycle:
The 2024 cycle saw three players earn NFL opportunities however, LB Mike Rose (St. Louis Battlehawks) and WR Samson Nacua (Michigan Panthers) both would be released at the conclusion of training camp.
WR Kevin Austin (Birmingham Stallions) remains with the Saints going into his third season with the team, appearing in 16 games over his first two seasons in New Orleans.
2025 Cycle:
The Saints would again look to the UFL for depth in 2025 signing five players for training camp. While All-UFL offensive lineman Mike Panasiuk (St. Louis Battlehawks) and TE Seth Green (Arlington Renegades) were released during training camp; the Saints did keep several players on their practice squad throughout 2025. Jayden Price (Arlington Renegades) would spend the whole season with New Orleans, while OL Barry Wesley (Birmingham Stallions) dealt with an injury, however managed to finish the season on the New Orleans practice squad.
OLB Garrett Nelson spent time bouncing back between the Broncos and New Orleans would eventually return back to the Saints and is currently in camp with the team once more.
The Saints have signed 19 players from spring football leagues since 2022, while also adding QB Hunter Dekkers (Houston Gamblers), WR Jalen Moreno-Cropper (Houston Gamblers) and Kicker Tanner Brown (Louisville Kings) to the roster during training camp. The Saints have been one of the more aggressive teams in utilizing spring football players as the team had hired Randy Mueller a former XFL GM (Roughnecks/Sea Dragons) as a senior personnel director. Currently the Saints roster seven spring football players during training camp in 2026.