As the Brahmas and Defenders get ready for their Easter Match-Up, the UFL’s week 4 has built on the league’s week 3 performance with exceptional play through its first 3 games of the slate. While Defense has been the talk of the league through the first 3 weeks, week 4 has brought us another headline this week, the Quarterback.
Quarterbacks in spring football have come and gone with over 80 QBs spending time on rosters since 2022. One Quarterback has developed a cult following for since his emergence on to the spring football scene, and that is Case Cookus.
From The Top:
Cookus was a UDFA out of FCS Northern Arizona, he’d bounce around several NFL teams falling victim to the shortened/impromptu COVID offseason that hampered the “draft process” of so many during that timeframe. Despite throwing over 100 Touchdowns, while battling through injuries Cookus would be regulated to “cups of coffee with NFL teams”. It wasn’t until the 2021 CFL season where Cookus would spend time on a professional roster, severing as an emergency QB for Five days with the Edmonton Elks.
Coming Into His Own “Stardom”
2022 would be a great year for Cookus, he’d hear his name called in a professional football draft being selected in the 12th round of the 2022 USFL by the Philadelphia Stars. While it was a great honor, Cookus would be regulated to the QB2 position due to Spring League Champion Bryan Scott reuniting with his former Head Coach Bart Andrus. It wasn’t until a Week 3 injury to Bryan Scott that Cookus would get his time to shine.
Cookus would lead the Stars to a 5-2 record during the 2022 season which included an upset win in the playoff’s vs the 9-1 New Jersey Generals. Cookus gave fans plenty of memories in the 2022 USFL season. From his mid-game heroics, to earning a week 8 Player of the Week award due to a Five Touchdown performance, while also breaking his leg during the USFL Championship that resulted in him using a scooter on his wedding day, regardless Cookus went from unknown to now Spring Football Folk hero. His 2022 was so impressive he’d earn an NFL contract for the LA Rams spending several weeks on their practice squad.
Cookus would return to “Philadelphia” as the Stars made their way to the Michigan “Hub”. With expectations high Cookus would still deliver statistically however, the Stars would fall short of returning to the USFL’s Championship game. Cookus still made plenty of headlines, losing his wedding ring midgame, while also throwing for over 2,000 yards and tossing 15 Touchdowns. Unfortunately, the Stars would fold with the creation of the United Football League, and Cookus’ football career would be in limbo.
Surviving the Merge:
The UFL’s 2024 dispersal draft would once again put Cookus in flux. However, the John DeFilippo led Memphis Showboats selected Cookus with the intention of him leading the franchise in 2024. Poor offensive line play, an underwhelming defense, and lack of consistency led to Cookus, Troy Williams, and Josh Love all taking snaps for Memphis, as the team fell to 2-8 leading to DeFilippo and his staff being turned over to Ken Whisenhunt. Cookus would go the whole offseason unsigned and despite his accomplishments found himself in football limbo once again in 2025.
Riding the Stallion:
It wasn’t until the beginning of the UFL’s training camp when Cookus with get another opportunity. With longtime Stallion J’Mar Smith opting for a soft “retirement”, the Stallions roster already loaded with talent called Cookus to fill the role of QB3.
While it was far from an ideal situation, it was a job with a proven organizational, under a proven coach that at the time owned a 32-4 record coming into 2025. Cookus entered the season behind NFL veteran and 2023 USFL MVP Alex McGough. He’d also be behind 2022 NFL Draft pick and 2024 UFL Champion Matt Corral. With arguably one of the more accomplished QB Rooms in spring football history many would doubt that Cookus would ever see the field this season. With McGough suffering an injury that landed him on Injured Reserve, Corral and Cookus would both move up the depth chart, leaving Cookus one play away.
For two weeks, that’s what it was. One play away. Until week 4 a Matt Corral injury forced Cookus into the game with a 4-point lead. With a 2 & 5, fresh off the bench Cookus hands off to CJ Marable eventually finding his way as his lead blocker springing him for a 1st down.
Cookus’ heroics weren’t done there. As on a crucial 3rd down Cookus would find Davion Davis for a 36-yard strike near the sideline, ultimately setting up Harrison Mevis for a Field Goal extending Birmingham’s lead to 7, enroute to their 23-16 victory over the Houston Roughnecks.
While it may have not been the largest sample size, it was just another chapter in the football journey. Always ready, always prepared, always willing to do what it takes to be successful. While it may be Cookus’ only cameo this season, it once again came with plenty of memories for fans to “gush over”. Right now, none of that doesn’t matter because in a league of opportunity the “Chef Cooked” just as he always has.
