
The United Football League announced roster transactions across multiple teams from January 20-22, 2025. The signings include players with experience from the NFL, USFL, and XFL as teams prepare their rosters.
Arlington Renegades
Jacob Johanning, G (Furman) Johanning started 39 games at Furman University, including all 13 games at left guard during his senior season. He signed with the Las Vegas Raiders as an undrafted free agent in 2024 on a three-year, $2.85 million contract. Johanning spent the 2024 season on injured reserve due to a knee injury.
Chris Claybrooks, CB (Memphis) Claybrooks recorded 42 tackles and a kick return touchdown at Memphis in 2019. He played three seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars after being selected in the 7th round of the 2020 NFL Draft. Claybrooks tallied 81 tackles, one forced fumble, and five pass breakups during his NFL tenure.
Birmingham Stallions
Deandre Johnson, QB (Texas Southern) Johnson passed for 1,575 yards with nine touchdowns and three interceptions at Texas Southern. He was selected by the New Jersey Generals in the 12th round of the 2022 USFL Draft. Johnson rushed for 98 yards and one touchdown while completing 3 of 8 passes for 59 yards in his USFL debut.
Davion Davis, WR (Sam Houston State) Davis recorded 575 receiving yards and four touchdowns for the Stallions during their 2023 USFL championship season. He scored the first touchdown in the 2023 USFL Championship game against Pittsburgh. Davis also played for the XFL’s Houston Roughnecks in 2023.
Kyahva Tezino, OLB (San Diego State) Tezino finished his college career ranked eighth all-time at San Diego State in assisted tackles with 140. He earned All-USFL honors with the Pittsburgh Maulers in 2023, recording 94 tackles, nine tackles for loss, two sacks, and two interceptions. Tezino spent the 2024 preseason with the San Francisco 49ers.
DC Defenders
Anthony Hines III, LB (Texas A&M) Hines recorded 33 tackles and one sack for the Defenders in 2023. He posted 33 tackles, six tackles for loss, and three sacks in 13 games as a freshman at Texas A&M. Hines earned a Super Bowl ring with the Los Angeles Rams in 2022.
Malik Fisher, DE (Villanova) Fisher totaled 33 tackles, seven sacks, and seven tackles for loss in 10 games during the 2024 UFL season. He earned All-CAA First Team honors in 2020 and Second Team recognition in 2021. Fisher signed briefly with the Houston Texans in 2024.
Memphis Showboats
Chris Pierce Jr., TE (Vanderbilt) Pierce accumulated 109 receptions for 1,398 yards and nine touchdowns during his college career at Vanderbilt. He signed with the Arizona Cardinals as an undrafted free agent in 2022. Pierce spent 2024 on the Carolina Panthers practice squad.
James Jones IV, FS (Air Force) Jones started nine games in his final season at Air Force. He recorded 43 tackles and one interception that year. Jones missed his junior season due to injury.
Amir Riep, FS (Lincoln University) Riep recorded 87 tackles, five sacks, five pass breakups, and four forced fumbles in his final season at Lincoln University. He appeared in 23 games at Ohio State from 2017-2019, tallying 32 tackles and three interceptions. Riep transferred to Lincoln University in 2023.
Sam Pinckney, WR (Coastal Carolina) Pinckney caught 72 passes for 1,027 yards and eight touchdowns in his final season at Coastal Carolina. He set the NCAA record for consecutive games with a reception at 58 games. Pinckney signed with the Carolina Panthers as an undrafted free agent in 2024.
Nehemiah Shelton, CB (San Jose State) Shelton recorded 195 tackles, eight interceptions, and 32 pass deflections in 45 games at San Jose State. He was selected by the Memphis Showboats in the seventh round of the 2023 USFL Collegiate Draft. Shelton spent time on the New York Jets and Los Angeles Chargers practice squads in 2024.
San Antonio Brahmas
Prince Emili, DT (Penn) Emili earned First Team All-Ivy honors in 2019 after recording 65 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, and 4.5 sacks. He signed with the Buffalo Bills as an undrafted free agent in 2022, recording three tackles and one pass deflection in two games. Emili spent time with the New Orleans Saints and Atlanta Falcons between 2022-2024.
Zuri Henry, T (UTEP) Henry started all eight games at left tackle during his freshman season at UTEP in 2020. He signed with the New England Patriots as an undrafted free agent in 2024. Henry played primarily at left tackle during his college career.
Full Transaction Report
Here are the UFL transactions organized by team from January 20-22, 2025:
ARLINGTON
- Signed G Jacob Johanning (Furman)
- Signed CB Chris Claybrooks (Memphis)
BIRMINGHAM
Waived:
- #30 Chris Blewitt (PK, Pittsburgh)
- #1 Chris Jackson (CB, Marshall)
- #52 Maalik Hall (OLB, Southeastern Oklahoma)
- #5 Gary Jennings (WR, West Virginia)
Signed:
- Deandre Johnson (OLB, Miami FL)
- Davion Davis (WR, Sam Houston State)
- Joseph Ngata (WR, Clemson)
- #31 Kyahva Tezino (OLB, San Diego State)
Retired:
- #94 Jordan Thompson (DT, Northwestern)
DC
Signed:
- #57 Anthony Hines III (LB, Texas A&M)
- #92 Malik Fisher (DE, Villanova)
MEMPHIS
Waived:
- #76 Darrin Paulo (G, Utah)
- #41 Greg Reaves (OLB, South Florida)
- Jordan McCray (C, Central Florida)
- #23 Lamont McPhatter II (S, California PA)
- #52 Tyshun Render (OLB, Middle Tennessee)
Signed:
- Chris Pierce Jr. (TE, Vanderbilt)
- James Jones IV (FS, Air Force)
- Amir Riep (FS, Lincoln University CA)
- Sam Pinckney (WR, Coastal Carolina)
- #32 Nehemiah Shelton (CB, San Jose State)
MICHIGAN
Retired:
- #15 Devin Gray (WR, Cincinnati)
SAN ANTONIO
Waived:
- Kaleb Ford-Dement (CB, Texas State)
- Kenneth Horsey (T, Kentucky)
Signed:
- #98 Prince Emili (DT, Penn)
- Zuri Henry (T, UTEP)