Heralding the start of what looks to be the most thrilling UFL season yet, the Louisville Kings host the three-time championship Birmingham Stallions on Friday, March 27th.
Under Mike Repole’s leadership, the league transformed, launching new teams, smaller fan-friendly stadiums, a dedicated marketing strategy, and rule changes, all designed to attract a stable fan base and establish a long-term presence in spring sports.
As hometown hero and first-time head coach Chris Redman takes to the field on Friday night, fan expectations will be high for the Kings, even as they take on the league’s most successful franchise under new head coach A.J. McCarron. Find out how the two teams stack up ahead of the game.
The Louisville Kings Offense:
Quarterback Jason Bean
After an impressive record-breaking collegiate career with the Kansas Jayhawks, Jason Bean spent the 2024 season with the Indianapolis Colts practice squad. Waived ahead of the 2025 season, he finally makes his professional football debut. An athletic, mobile quarterback, Bean provides big-play opportunities. Known for his strong arm, he’s also efficient on the ground, averaging 4.9 yards per carry.
Speaking to the media last week, Bean reiterated his excitement to play for Louisville and the potential he sees in this team, particularly the offense. Grateful for the opportunity to hone his craft over the past three weeks, Bean focused on improving his accuracy and implementing what he’s learned from OC Steve Logan in how he approaches the game.
The Birmingham Stallions Offense:
Quarterback Matt Corral
Veteran UFL quarterback Matt Corral gets the starting nod from McCarron. Appearing in nine games over the last two seasons and including his postseason play, Corral recorded 1,409 passing yards with 10 touchdowns and added 36 carries for 210 yards.
Stallions’ Wide Receivers Room
The Stallions have one of the more experienced and talented receiver rooms in the league, led by All-UFL Team wide receiver Deon Cain. Playing well enough over the past two seasons to generate interest from multiple NFL teams, Cain returns for a third season in spring football. One of the UFL’s leading receivers with 29 catches for 514 yards with six touchdowns, his longest score was a 65-yarder last season. Cain also provides a serious threat as a kick returner with 16 returns for 421 yards.
Former Western Kentucky star and Memphis Showboats standout, Daewood Davis, still holds the record for the longest UFL touchdown with a stunning 82-yard score against the Michigan Panthers in 2024. Former NFL players speedster John Ross and dual-return threat Laviska Shenault are newcomers to the UFL this season.
Louisville Kings Receivers Room
The Kings entered the season with arguably one of the more stacked receiver rooms, featuring former Memphis Showboats star, Jonathan Adams, along with Dallas Renegades talents Isaiah Winstead and JaVonta Payton.
However, earlier this week, Adams was placed on injured reserve. Former NFL and UFL newcomer Tyler Hudson steps in to replace him on the roster. Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Lucky Jackson, a training camp standout, rounds out the group.
Speaking about the offensive depth on the team, Jackson was full of praise for his teammates, stating, “We’re all on the same page. We all have a common goal. We want to win. We want to get to that next level, so it takes us to come together and really get this thing going.”
Birmingham Stallions Ground Game
Former San Antonio Brahmas star running back Anthony McFarland will be the one to watch this season. McFarland is a triple threat. He can score on the ground, catch the ball, and return kicks. He is joined by former NFL power backs Tyrion Davis-Price and Snoop Conner, who are new to the UFL this season.
Louisville Kings Ground Game
After the surprise cut of NFL rookie sensation James Robinson, the Kings' ground game rests on the shoulders of former Pittsburgh Steelers RB Benny Snell, former New Orleans Saints running back Ian Wheeler, and talented UFL veteran Jaden Shirden.
Snell, a standout for the Wildcats, is a local Kentucky favorite and former Pittsburgh Steeler. Foregoing his senior year to enter the 2019 NFL Draft, Snell was selected by the Steelers in the 4th round. In his two years with Pittsburgh, he rushed for 982 yards on 275 carries with seven touchdowns. He also proved to be a capable receiver with 17 catches for 114 yards.
Logan described Wheeler as possessing "elite speed" during training camp. Shirden, a UFL Veteran of the Brahams and Michigan Panthers, poses a dual threat as a return specialist. The former UFL Special Teams Player of the Week in Week 1 of the 2025 season, he recorded three kickoff returns for 150 yards, including an 86-yarder that set up a field goal.
Birmingham Stallions Offensive Line
Experienced Stallions tackle Armani Taylor-Prioleau and former Memphis Showboats tackle Noah Henderson join former Panthers’ center Noah Johnson in leading what is projected to be a strong offensive line this season.
Louisville Kings Offensive Line
Former Memphis Showboats guards Nate Gilliam, Nash Jenson, and J.D. DiRenzo, and tackle James Tunstall head up the Kings' offensive line with 6’3” 308 lb. center, Mike McAllister, a UFL newcomer. The Youngstown State graduate first signed with the Los Angeles Rams as an undrafted free agent in 2023.
Birmingham Stallions Defense
The Stallions' defense features talented returning linebackers Kyahva Tezino (139 tackles, 1.5 sacks, six pass defenses, three forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries in two seasons) and Tae Crowder (44 tackles, two interceptions, four pass breakups, and two fumble recoveries).
They are joined by talented free safeties JoJo Tillery (36 tackles, two INTs, five PBRs, and a fumble recovery) and Tre Norwood( 39 tackles, three PBRs, and a fumble recovery), and former Panthers’ DE Isaac Ukwu, who previously spent the 2024 season with the Detroit Lions. Cornerbacks Steven Gilmore 48 tackles and one INT) and Mario Goodrich (17 tackles, six PBRs, and three forced fumbles are capable of wreaking havoc for the Kings' offense.
Louisville Kings Defense
Jamie Sharper’s defense could provide a definite advantage for the Kings this season. Featuring an experienced group of UFL veterans, there are several strong playmakers in the group. Cornerbacks Cam Danztler, Steele Chambers, and Eric Garror are joined by their former Memphis teammates, safety Keaton Ellis, DT’s Josiah Bronson and Devere Levelston, and DE Jaylon Allen. Dantzler recently admitted that Sharper’s defense is simpler and more old-school than the Showboats’ defense from last season. Hopefully, the streamlined playbook will allow the group to put it all together for a league-leading defense.
The Kicking Game
Former Renegades kicker Jonathan Garibay will make his debut with the Stallions this season. In 2024, Garibay converted 13 of 14 field goals for 92% with a longest of 48 yards. Garibay will take on UFL newcomer Tanner Hudson, who will handle kicking duties for the Kings. With the added incentive of the four-point field goals, whichever kicker can deliver the longest kick is going to be an asset to his team.
The action kicks off Friday night in front of a sold-out crowd at Lynn Family Stadium. The game will be televised on "FOX UFL Friday at 8:00 pm ET." Country artist Russell Dickerson will be the halftime guest.