UFL teams have added several new players for the 2025 season. Here are five that fans should get excited about.
DE Myjai Sanders, Birmingham Stallions
A third-round draft pick of the Arizona Cardinals in 2022, Sanders washed out of the NFL rather quickly. But there was a reason he was a high draft pick: Sanders possesses mouth-watering pass rush potential. His unusual body type allows him to bend around the edge to get to the quarterback. At Cincinnati, he was unable to replicate his junior season (10.5 tackles for loss, seven sacks) as a senior (7.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks) despite playing four more games. He’s an edge rusher who may not do a lot against the run, but there’s room for designated pass rushers to attack weak offensive tackles in this league.
RB Lynn Bowden, Jr., D.C. Defenders
D.C. was at its best in 2023 keeping defenses on its toes by using D’Eriq King as an option quarterback. That aspect of the Defenders’ offense was missing last season, contributing to a down year and missing the playoffs. Bowden could be that King replacement in 2025. A high school quarterback, Bowden also has experience at receiver and running back, giving the defense a lot to account for while he’s on the field. We’ve seen how creative offensive coordinator Fred Kaiss can be, and Bowden will be an interesting gadget player Kaiss can utilize in many different ways this coming season.
QB Anthony Brown, Houston Roughnecks
A new general manager and a 1-9 record in 2024 brought about steep changes to the Houston roster this off-season. Two new quarterbacks were added in Jalan McClendon and Anthony Brown. Brown is easily the team’s most intriguing signing. He’s been on the fringes of the NFL since entering the league as an undrafted free agent out of Oregon in 2022. Brown struggled in two NFL regular season games, including one start as a rookie for the Baltimore Ravens. It’s hard to ignore his college production, where he was a four-year starter for Boston College and then the Ducks. He was the Pac-12 Conference’s leading passer in his final college season. Brown won’t be handed the starting job in training camp; however, winning it is an achievable goal.
G J.D. Duplain, Michigan Panthers
One of four UFL College Draft picks Michigan has signed, Duplain comes from a blue-collar Michigan State program that has turned out solid offensive linemen for years. Duplain started almost 50 games as a Spartan, bringing tons of experience to the Panthers. He and Jacob Burton are the only two true guards on Michigan’s roster at this time, though there are a few offensive tackles that could cross-train there in camp. Those numbers give Duplain a leg-up in not only competing for a roster spot, but also a starting job. It would likely be at left guard, where all of Duplain’s college starts came.
WR Andy Isabella, St. Louis Battlehawks
Pat Rifino spotlighted another big-name receiver the Battlehawks brought aboard for 2025 in Denzel Mims. Isabella could play a major role as well. His NFL resume is lengthy compared to others in the league, having played 41 games, catching 33 passes and three touchdowns. A 5’9″ slot receiver, Isabella can work underneath but also has the long speed to get deep. He’ll be joined in the slot by Jahcour Pearson, giving the team an enviable one-two punch on the inside. The St. Louis receiver room is deep so it’ll be interesting to see how the depth chart shakes out after camp. Whatever quarterback emerges as the replacement for A.J. McCarron will have no shortage of weapons at his disposal.
