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 continue the series with the San Francisco 49ers, highlighting every spring league player the organization has signed over the past four years.
2022 Cycle:
After the 2022 USFL season the 49ers would sign only one spring football player in defensive Lineman Tomasi Laulile (Houston Gamblers). Laulile unfortunately would be released at the conclusion of training camp for San Francisco.
2023 Cycle:
In 2023 the 49ers would return Tomasi Laulile (Arlington Renegades) to training camp along with Brian Hill (St. Louis Battlehawks), Nate Brooks (Birmingham Stallions), Breeland Speaks (Michigan Panthers) and Kyahva Tezino (Birmingham Stallions). Only RB Brian Hill would earn a practice squad opportunity, only to be released several days before the 2023 regular season.
In 2024, the team would trade for DL Khalil Davis (Birmingham Stallions) from the Houston Texans, who’d appear in 3 games for the team, ultimately retiring in 2025.
The 49ers also signed DL Bruce Hector (Arlington Renegades) during training camp of 2025, only to release him at the conclusion of camp. Hector would return to San Francisco on their practice squad for a week.
2024 Cycle:
Post USFL and XFL Merger, the 49ers would sign two players for training camp in 2024. WR Jontre Kirklin (San Antonio Brahmas) and DL Jonathan Garvin (Birmingham Stallions), would both earn opportunities with Kirklin being released at the conclusion of training camp. Garvin would bounce on and off the 49ers practice squad, before eventually signing with the Chicago Bears in 2025. Kirklin returned to the UFL in 2025, and Garvin remains with the Bears going into 2026.
After training camp the 49ers signed LB DaShaun White (Michigan Panthers), who would spend the entire 2024 season with the team. White would even appear in one game for the 49ers during the season finale of 2024. White would be released during the spring of 2025 eventually rejoining the UFL in 2026. The 49ers also signed OL Zack Johnson (Birmingham Stallions) to their practice squad late in the 2024 season, eventually releasing him during training camp in 2025.
During the 2025 season the 49ers also signed 2024 UFL MVP QB Adrian Martinez (Birmingham Stallions). Martinez would bounce on and off the practice squad of the 49ers, receiving several activations, and even spending time with the NY Jets in 2025. He remains on the roster heading into 2026.
2025 Cycle:
The 49ers signed three players from the UFL going into training camp for the 2025 season. WR Malik Turner (Michigan Panthers), DL Bradlee Anae (Birmingham Stallions) and DL Jaylon Allen (Memphis Showboats) all received opportunities, with Allen and Anae being released.
WR Malik Turner would make the roster on their practice squad eventually appearing in several games during the 2025 season. He remains on the roster going into training camp at this time.
In total, sixteen players signed with San Francisco since 2022, with several managing to provide value making the active roster or practice squad. Currently QB Adrian Martinez, and WR Mailk Turner remain on the team with both players looking to solidify their NFL careers for at least another season. Currently the Niners have yet to sign any players from the 2026 UFL class, however more transactions are expected towards the final week of July.