After a four-game winning streak to open the 2026 UFLseason, the Orlando Storm were stopped cold in Week 5. Offensive efficiency, a season hallmark, slipped amid several breakdowns. The grind of a UFL season is taking its toll. The Storm's prospects for the second half hinge on sharpening efficiency under pressure and quickly plugging roster gaps.
The latest Storm player to suffer a likely season-ending injury is tight end Konnor Fox. While Fox has only 1 reception for 4 yards, Fox has made an impact as a blocker on offense and a significant contributor on special teams.
Free Agent Signing:
Birmingham
DT, Jayden Peevy
Houston
WR, Kaden Davis
Louisville
T, John Campbell Jr.
TE, Chris Pierce Jr.
Moved To Reserve/Injured:
Birmingham
ILB, DaRon Gilbert
Orlando
TE, Konner Fox— UFL Communications Department (@UFL_PR) April 28, 2026
While the obvious next step for the Storm could be to sign another tight end to fill in Konner Fox's spot on the depth chart at tight end. However, the Storm still have quality depth at tight end with Shawn Bowman and Steven Stiianos. Therefore it makes sense that Orlando head coach Anthony Becht is choosing to address other position groups that need to be upgraded on the defensive side of the ball.
With that in mind, the Storm have two defensive backs including cornerback Chris Claybrooks, and safety Jason Taylor II according to UFL insider James Larsen.
The Orlando #Stormhave re-signed a couple of pieces in their secondary, per HC Anthony Becht:
- CB Chris Claybrooks
- S Jason Taylor II
Claybrooks was a key piece for the #Renegadesdefense last#UFLseason - good to see him back in action.— James Larsen (@JamesLarsenPFN) April 28, 2026
Chris Claybrooks electrifies his return to the UFL after an impressive 2025 season with the Arlington Renegades. In just 8 games, he posted 12 solo tackles and an assist, making a clear impact on the field. Previously, Claybrooks was a 7th-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars, where he energized the lineup in 46 games with 60 solo tackles and 21 assists from 2020 to 2023. Building on a dynamic career in both the NFL and UFL, Claybrooks injects elite speed and tenacity into the Storm's defensive secondary. Known for his fearless, physical style, he continually outperforms expectations for his 5'9", 180-pound frame. As a defensive back and special teams threat, Claybrooks is poised to dazzle as a kick and punt returner. Similar to Claybrooks, safety Jason Taylor II comes to the UFL after spending time in the NFL. Following Claybrooks' return, Taylor entered the league after being drafted in 2023 in the 7th round of the NFL Draft by the Los Angeles Rams. During his NFL career, Taylor played in 8 games and recorded 5 solo tackles for the Rams. Taylor is known for elite ball skills and has demonstrated explosive athleticism. In addition, Taylor is an outstanding downhill tackler, which makes him a potential standout in run support. However, Taylor struggles to use his lateral agility to make plays on the perimeter.
Along with adding reinforcements to the Storm's defensive secondary, Orlando is also looking to fill in deficiencies on the defensive front seven. Orlando's latest move on defense includes releasing linebacker Dashaun White, leaving a hole in its linebacker depth chart. To fill that hole, the Storm have made the decision to sign linebacker DeQuan Jackson.
News: The Orlando #Storm are signing LB DeQuan Jackson, per HC Anthony Becht.
Jackson was a star at CSU, totaling 322 tackles & 21.5 TFL's. Signed as an UDFA with the #Jaguars, also spent time w/ the #Dolphins.
LB Dashaun White has been released. #UFL pic.twitter.com/IXsUiJQ2z7— James Larsen (@JamesLarsenPFN) April 28, 2026
DeQuan Jackson stands 6'1" and weighs 225 pounds. He played for the Jacksonville Jaguars and Miami Dolphins in the NFL. In addition to his NFL experience, Jackson excelled at Colorado State University from 2018 to 2022. While representing the Colorado State Rams, Jackson appeared in 50 games and logged 143 solo tackles, 179 assists, 4.5 quarterback sacks, and 4 fumble recoveries. Jackson has a reputation for having a nose for the football and, at times, has demonstrated elite physicality and physical play as a traditional off-the-ball linebacker inside the box. Where Jackson makes the biggest impact on the field is as a run defender inside the box. In addition, Jackson has the ability to be a solid contributor on special teams for the Storm.
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