While many UFL players return to their 2024 teams for the upcoming season, some players have found new homes via cuts or trades. The following are five players who could play major roles for their new teams in 2025 (2024 team in parentheses).
DE Chris Odom, Arlington Renegades (Houston Roughnecks)
Jettisoned in the off-season makeover of the Roughnecks roster under new general manager Will Lewis, Odom was only recently signed by Arlington as they work to max out at the 64-man training camp roster limit. Odom has been around the block a time or two, his spring football bona fides dating back to the Alliance of American Football in 2019.
For the Houston Gamblers in 2022, Odom led the USFL in sacks with 12.5, earning a contract with the Cleveland Browns based on that performance. Odom was back in Houston in 2024, this time with the UFL and the Roughnecks, and once again led the team in sacks with 5.0. The Renegades have completely remade their defensive end position heading into 2025 and Odom is likely to play a big role as a pass-rusher for the Bob Stoops-Jay Hayes defense.
QB Quinten Dormady, Memphis Showboats (San Antonio Brahmas)
One of the first orders of business when Jim Monos and Ken Whisenhunt were named GM and head coach respectively for the Showboats was to acquire a quarterback. So it should’ve come as no surprise that one of their first moves was to trade for Dormady. A backup the last two years in spring football, Dormady has provided a spark when called upon, first for the Orlando Guardians in the XFL in 2023, then with the Brahmas last year.
San Antonio decided to reform their quarterback room, moving on from their starter and backup in Chase Garbers and Dormady (they retained third-stringer Kevin Hogan). Memphis recently added E.J. Perry, who started last year for the Michigan Panthers, now giving them three players, along with holdover Troy Williams, that started at least one game in 2024. Dormady might be the favorite to win what should be a spirited camp competition among the three.
OT Darius Harper, D.C. Defenders (Birmingham Stallions)
One of those players who has three years of experience as part of Skip Holtz’s Stallion three-peat, Harper was a victim of increased depth overall in spring football. He started along the offensive line for Birmingham in 2023, then played in five games as a backup in 2024. This year, Harper didn’t even make it to camp with the team. But he wasn’t out of a job for long – the Defenders claimed him off waivers at the end of January.
And Harper could have a path to start in D.C, even as they return four offensive tackles from last year. A new offensive line coach in Cody Crill will give everyone a fresh start. Harper’s spring football experience, specifically with the well-coached line of the Stallions, will give him a leg-up.
QB E.J. Perry, Memphis Showboats (Michigan Panthers)
Perry was the odd man out in Michigan despite opening the year as the team’s starting quarterback. Michigan opted instead to retain Danny Etling and Bryce Perkins, adding a third quarterback in Rocky Lombardi through the UFL College Draft. Perry will play for a longtime NFL offensive coach in Ken Whisenhunt with the Showboats, which should allow the Brown University grad to take advantage of his strengths.
Perry will have to battle Quinten Dormady and Troy Williams for the starting job, however. Consistency will be key to winning the competition as all three have shown flashes in spring football but have yet to put it all together over a significant period of time.
OT Noah Henderson, Memphis Showboats (Arlington Renegades)
The Showboats roster is stocked with players who have spring football experience. Henderson was the primary backup at both left and right tackle for the Renegades in 2024, starting five games in the process. His main position in college was right tackle, where he was a teammate of now-former Renegade teammate and QB, Holton Ahlers.
Memphis doesn’t have many true tackles on their roster right now, with only a few open spots before camp begins. It would not be a surprise if Henderson claims a starting spot, either on the right or the left side of the line to begin the 2025 campaign.
