The UFL pipeline continues to produce talented players who wouldn’t have otherwise made it to the NFL without the on-field experience and dedicated coaching the spring league provides.
Dallas Renegades LB Kalen DeLoach is a prime example of a UDFA talent who is positioning himself for an NFL return after sharpening his skills in the spring league.
Kalen DeLoach: Patience, Persistence, and Pride Fuel Dream of An NFL Return
DeLoach's determination, drive, and persistence exemplify the type of personality that typically thrives in the UFL. Recognizing there are only a limited number of roster spots in the league, he is grateful for the opportunity to continue playing professional football at a high level and learn from the coaches.
Calling it the “next best thing for me,” DeLoach explained, “You’ve got to have a good mindset about it. Understand you’re here right now and just enjoy it. Live in the moment, do what you need to do to make sure you’re in the best position possible.”
After an exceptional early start and an impressive collegiate career, he hit a speed bump that temporarily derailed his NFL career. Now, the UFL to NFL pipeline offers his best chance to make his dream of playing in the NFL come true.
Kalen DeLoach: The Early Years
Growing up outside of Savannah, Georgia, DeLoach became known at Islands High School as an exceptionally gifted athlete who could impact both sides of the field. As a high school senior, he recorded 156 tackles, 13 TFLs, 7.0 sacks, two interceptions, and was a finalist for the Butkus Award, given to the nation’s best linebacker.
Equally adept on offense, DeLoach produced 771 rushing yards with 19 touchdowns that season. His unique ability to play multiple positions, including tight end, running back, and defense, brought him to the attention of national scouts.
With a population of fewer than 7,000 residents, Whitemarsh Island, Georgia, wasn’t on the radar of national recruiters. Nonetheless, all three of Robert and Ivy DeLoach’s children grew up in their small community as star athletes who became the target of national scouts.
Kalen’s big sister, Taylor, was a Big Ten Conference champion in the long jump and 400-meter relay at Ohio State. His younger brother Jalen, a collegiate hoops star at Georgia, now plays professional basketball in the Netherlands.
DeLoach talks with pride and admiration about the sacrifices his parents made to ensure the siblings always got to games, meets, and practices on time. He explained that their constant support played a huge role in his development and that of his siblings. Fondly referring to his “pops,” a retired air force veteran, and his mother, who works in the medical field, DeLoach credits his parents for instilling the competitive drive, discipline, and healthy eating habits that he practices today.
"They’ve consistently put us out there and in positions to make the most of our careers."
A Collegiate Star
A consensus 4-star prospect, DeLoach ranked 198 on the ESPN 300 list and was selected to play in the Under Armour All-America Game. Fielding offers from Auburn and Michigan, DeLoach was struck by the family atmosphere he found at Florida State. He committed to FSU as a freshman in 2019.
During his first two years, DeLoach saw limited action, appearing in a total of 17 games for the Seminoles, posting 10 tackles and one QB pressure. However, as a junior, he had a breakout year and was named the team’s Most Improved Defensive Player.
Appearing in all 12 games (11 starts), he posted 69 tackles, 6.5 TFLs, 1.0 sack, one interception, three quarterback pressures, and two PBUs. By the time he graduated in 2022, DeLoach recorded a total of 212 tackles, 25 TFLs, 11.0 sacks, two interceptions, 12 PBUs, two fumble recoveries, and one forced fumble.
Explaining the performance jump from his first two years, he clarified, “When I was able to put it all together junior year, it gave me the confidence I needed to keep going.”
The NFL Draft
Everything was going extremely well for him until the pre-draft process. Discounted as “undersized” for an NFL linebacker at 6’1” and 212 lbs., he was encouraged instead to enter the draft as a safety.
Initially, the position change seemed favorable. Nfldraftbuzz.com profiled him as a prospect who played "with a linebacker's mentality, attacking downfield and delivering violent hits." The profile noted his good instincts and solid anticipation reads, describing him as a "disciplined player who was dangerous with the ball in his hands."
DeLoach agrees with that assessment, recalling one scouting report saying, “He has a safety frame, playing linebacker, but don’t underestimate him.”
“I wasn’t always the biggest, but I played hard and played with heart. I still pride myself on that to this day.”
NFL analyst Lance Zierlein noted that he possessed "better tackle strength than expected for his size" and was “built like a strong safety (who) zooms around the line of scrimmage, darting into gaps and disrupting play designs.”
However, despite the position reclassification, DeLoach wasn’t selected in the 2024 NFL Draft. The news came as a shock to the whole family. After breaking records and earning accolades throughout his high school and collegiate career, it had to be heartbreaking to watch more than a dozen Seminoles teammates, including Jared Verse and Keon Coleman, hear their names called when he wasn't selected.
“Nobody had, you know, the stats that I had,” DeLoach recounted.
Afterward, learning that his weight was the only thing that prevented him from being selected, he explained with a sense of resignation,
“I tried to do as much as I could to gain weight, but my body just wouldn’t gain any more weight at that time."
Joining the NFL As a UDFA
Nonetheless, in May of 2024, he signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent. Channeling his disappointment and frustration, he used it to fuel his performance.
“You know, going into training camp,” he reflected, “I went in there with a chip on my shoulder, just be being undrafted and undersized, so I knew that’s what had to carry me. You know, during that time, it was hard mentally, because I felt like I should have been drafted but I had to make the most of my opportunity.”
On July 17, 2024, while he was in training camp with Tampa Bay, he learned he'd been selected by the Arlington Renegades in the third round of the UFL draft. Although it gave him yet another option, his sole focus was on the NFL.
Appearing in the Buccaneers' second preseason game, he played the majority of the snaps on defense in the second half and finished the day with five tackles (three solo) and was on the punt return team.
At the time, DeLoach told WSAV, “I feel like I did pretty good. Just focusing on how to get to the ball and little things like shooting my hands and just making sure I’m getting off the block and just getting to the ball. That was my main focus today. I feel like that’s what I need to do.”
However, on August 27th, he was waived by the Bucs during final roster cutdowns. Re-signed to the practice squad on October 1st, he was released four weeks later. In December of 2024, DeLoach was signed to the Jacksonville Jaguars practice squad for the remainder of the season.
The UFL Experience
When he wasn’t signed to a futures deal by the Jaguars for the 2025 season, he turned his attention to the UFL. Talking about the level of competition in the UFL, playing against former NFL veterans and other young hopefuls, he declared, “I feel like it prepares you,” he said.
“It prepares you off the field, but definitely on the field, you know, meeting with your coaches and making sure you’re doing the right things on the field…I understand that I’m still learning… If this is part of the steps that I have to take to get back to the NFL, then I’m willing to do it.”
Following his initial season with the Renegades, DeLoach was re-signed to the team in 2026 under the renamed Dallas franchise. He appeared in 7 games for the Renegades, recording 21 tackles (11 solo), one TFL, 1.0 sack, one interception (17-yard return), and one pass defense.
The 2027 UFL Season
Ahead of the upcoming UFL season, DeLoach continues to find ways to improve his game. Next week, he’s flying to New Orleans to train with his former high school coach, Chaz Sutton, who opened a training program in Slidell, Louisiana.
A tremendous early influence, his former coach played college football for the University of South Carolina and spent several years in the NFL, playing for Tampa Bay and the Tennessee Titans. Referring to Sutton as his mentor, DeLoach described how he initially took him under his wing as a high school student.
Getting around my coach gave me an extra push. You know, somebody that actually played in the NFL, who understands the game, played college ball in South Carolina. So, it made me believe that I had a chance...and that I can get there. I just have to be.. willing to sacrifice and do the work."
Together, the two discuss position strategies, and Sutton pinpoints areas where DeLoach can continue to work on his game. Another area he is focusing on ahead of the 2027 season is special teams. Recognizing that phase could be his best path to the NFL, DeLoach is continuing to develop his skills as a kick returner and providing return coverage.
Asked about plans for when playing football is no longer an option, DeLoach sees himself going into coaching one day. He knows his passion for the game will translate well to the younger generation, and he looks forward to sharing his knowledge and experience. In the meantime, DeLoach is doing everything in his power to train and prepare himself mentally and physically to take his game to the next level. He might well be one undrafted talent the NFL will want to keep an eye on for the future.