Jalen Morton has been around football for a while; however, many fans may have not known his name until the Aviators announced him as their starter going into week nine. With the Aviators playoff chances slim to none the team opted to bench long time spring football veteran Jalan McClendon, and hand over the reins to Morton who was set to make his first start in his outdoor spring football career.
With the season on the line, Morton delivered one of the seasons best performances from a quarterback in 2026. Combining for over 300 yards, Morton totaled four touchdowns in a 36-29 victory over the upstart Birmingham Stallions led by Dorian Thompson-Robinson. For Morton whose been in the pro football circuit since 2020, has played in five different football leagues with six teams hoping to earn an opportunity.
Morton came out of Prairie View A&M spending time with the Packers and Colts during OTAs and training camp. He'd spend 2022 with the CFL's Hamilton Tiger Cats appearing in limited action however, would throw six attempts for the team in one season. Morton eventually would sign with the USFL's Birmingham Stallions in 2023, serving as a reserve quarterback behind J'Mar Smith and Alex McGough eventually becoming the backup once Smith was lost for the season. Morton would earn not only his first snaps in the USFL rushing once for 5 yards, but also a championship ring, with the team.
When USFL-XFL merged in 2024, Morton would find himself released by Birmingham due to the team signing Matt Corral, and Adrian Martinez. After spending 2024 out of football, Morton took a chance joining the AF1's Southwest Kansas Storm in 2025 becoming one of the league's top quarterbacks. Morton would become a finalist for multiple post-season awards in the AF1, earning rookie of year, while throwing for 2,314 yards, 40 passing touchdowns, while rushing for 488 yards, and 17 touchdowns.
Morton dominance even saw him leave the team during a bye-week to serve as an emergency quarterback for the Birmingham Stallions and even earning a contract with the Houston Roughnecks prior to the UFL quarterback allotment. Despite the league realigning, Morton found his way his to Columbus, with the new upstart Aviator franchise led by Ted Ginn Jr., and Todd Haley.
Morton served as a "gadget" quarterback for the Aviators for the first eight weeks of the season, before finally earning an opportunity to start in week nine. As mentioned, Morton delivered in his first start but more importantly may have put himself in contention for remaining a member of the UFL for future seasons. With owner Mike Repole stressing for a youth movement Morton who turns 29 in July, is becoming one of the elder statesman of the league.
Brandon Silvers, Luis Perez, Jalan McClendon, and Harrison Frost are all signal callers who are 30 years old and older that could be a part of the natural attrition that spring football sees every offseason, Morton's strong play in week nine and hopefully in week ten, may propel him to earning another opportunity in 2027. Additionally, with the UFL hoping to have 10 teams in 2028, Morton could cement himself at minimum on a roster moving forward.
Regardless, the journey Morton's been on has been extremely exciting and should serve as motivation for those on the edge of giving up. Whether or not he'll be able to will the Aviators to a playoff berth (with a lot of help), the 6th year pro quarterback has continued to grind and persevere being given another opportunity in week ten to showcase his talents. The Aviators will finish the season against the Louisville Kings on May 31st for the last game of the 2026 UFL regular season.