Injuries in pro football are a fact of life. It’s often the healthiest teams that are able to make it to the playoffs and beyond. Some teams’ seasons can end before they begin when injuries strike in training camp to players they can least afford to miss. I’ve put together a list of the players I believe to be the most irreplaceable on each UFL team.
Arlington Renegades – QB Luis Perez
This may seem to run counter to comments I made in a previous article at another site, but as of today, Perez is the reigning UFL passing leader and his backup, Holton Ahlers, is largely untested as a pro. Perez’s command of the offense and understanding of the intricacies of the position would be difficult to replace. As long as he doesn’t experience a significant fall-off from 2024, the Renegades should be more competitive given the improvements made elsewhere on the roster. The team hopes they don’t need to find out if those improvements are enough to make up for an injury at the QB position.
Birmingham Stallions – C Cole Schneider
With a new starting quarterback in 2025, even one that has likely played under Skip Holtz before, the importance of the center increases. They can help the QB make line calls, set protections and identify blitzes. Schneider is in his third season as the starter at the pivot in Birmingham. In the last two years, he has missed just one regular season game, so no other player on the team has gotten meaningful reps there. Birmingham’s history is that of a strong offensive line and it starts with the charismatic Schneider.
D.C. Defenders – RB Abram Smith
Unlike others on this list where we can only speculate as to what the team’s performance would be like sans that player, we have hard evidence of how D.C. plays with and without Smith. With him, the Defenders went to the XFL Championship in 2023 and posted a 9-1 regular season record. Without him, they failed to make the playoffs in 2024, finishing under .500. There were certainly other circumstances in play – notably the talent level increased with the merger and Smith may not have dominated in ’24 the way he did in ’23 – but it was clear D.C.’s offense was hamstrung in his absence.
Houston Roughnecks – S Markel Roby
Choosing an irreplaceable Roughneck was tough because of the roster churn the team experienced in the off-season. We simply don’t know how the depth chart will ultimately shake out. In a defensive backfield that doesn’t return many bodies from 2024, Roby will be a key. He was a top tackler on the team last year and had three interceptions. It’s expected that Roby will take a leadership role in the defensive back room during training camp. As a safety, he can see the defense in front of him and make necessary adjustments pre-snap after having a year in the system. Players behind him at the position are young and inexperienced.
Memphis Showboats – WR Daewood Davis
Like in Houston, Memphis has a drastically different roster this year, so this is based more on projection than anything else. Davis, an All-UFL selection in 2024 and the team’s leading receiver, accomplished those feats on a team that ranked last in the league in passing. Memphis started three quarterbacks throughout the season, meaning Davis had to develop chemistry with all three in order to produce the way he did, no easy task. The Showboats are seeking more stability at QB in 2025 and that could possibly increase Davis’s output. I’m hard-pressed to find a replacement on their roster for all that he brings to the table.
Michigan Panthers – LB Frank Ginda
Ginda’s 2024 season came to a premature end when he was placed on injured reserve on May 9. His absence was especially noticeable in the USFL Division Championship, when the Stallions put up 31 points on the vaunted Panther defense. Despite missing nearly half the season, Ginda still managed to rank fourth on the team in tackles, with three for a loss. The physical and emotional leader for the Panthers, Ginda has been on the fringes of the NFL while playing in spring football, yet he always comes back. Expect him to slide back into one of Michigan’s three starting LB spots. The team improved the depth at linebacker in the off-season, but it’s impossible to replace the intangibles Ginda brings week-in and week-out.
San Antonio Brahmas – LB Tavante Beckett
You could put Tavante Beckett OR Jordan WIlliams here, but Beckett had a better statistical season than his partner in crime at the position last year. Beckett and Williams man the inside at the second level of Wade Phillips’s defense and they play with the intensity that Phillips loves. They’re fast, sure tacklers with incredible instincts that make up for whatever measureables they lack. Beckett played under Phillips with the Houston Roughnecks in 2023 and accumulated 69 tackles, nine for a loss, forced two fumbles, and was in on three special teams tackles in 2024. Just 27 years old, Beckett is in his prime and though San Antonio can trot out several pass rushers on the outside, he and Williams are two-of-a-kind with the Brahmas.
St. Louis Battlehawks – WR Hakeem Butler
We don’t yet know who will be throwing passes to Butler this year, but if the last two years are any indication, the QB simply needs to get the ball in Butler’s zip code and he’ll come down with it. Butler accounted for 23% of St. Louis’s receptions last season and 35% of their passing yardage. His receiving yards more than doubled that of the next highest Battlehawk. Butler is going to be a young QB’s best friend in St. Louis with his size and ability to get open. Of the top four receivers in terms of receptions after Butler in ’24, only one returns in 2025. St. Louis acquired some big-name players at the position this off-season, but as we’ve seen in spring football past, that doesn’t always equate to big-time production. With Butler, his history of production precedes him.
2 Comments
by Ken Granito
Great article! As always it seems you have done your homework on this, but I wouldn’t be me if I didn’t comment and put my two cents (ah pages) in too. First of all, great article I hope others look at this and put their two cents in too. A lot of fun discussing stuff like this!
1. Perfect answer. Luis Perez is the best competitor the league has which is really saying something because this league has been chock full of competitors since the league started. He has the heart, the best touch of any football quarterback, the competitive desire to win, and a really good leader. I don’t know if John Stockton watches UFL football, but if he does, it would be no surprise that Perez would be his favorite, much the way Perez is mine.
2. I see why you put Cole Schneider here. The receivers are deep and I mean very. The Tight Ends group is good and the running back room runs hard and can read holes, so it would seem the line needs to congeal to set all the pieces in motion. Cole Schneider would play the part Zach Johnson performed so well last year, making it make even more sense Schneider would be the guy. Personally, I don’t want to put that much pressure on a young guy. For me it’s Alex McGough and for more than just the Stallions. I don’t want to put that pressure on McGough either. He came into this league in 2022 betting on himself taking a chance to get drafted in this league. The Seahawks kept him for a lot of years before giving up on him. I believe that was because he didn’t mature into the quarterback they wanted, but had lots of talent. So comes the USFL. He signs up for the draft, but fights Skip Holtz’ coaching. I am one of those people who knows what is right for me and McGough is that guy. It’s hard for me to trust that the person giving me advice really knows me better than I do. Then McGough took a leap of faith. Since then he has understood football on an almost unbelievable level. He should be so proud, because most people cannot do that. Once someone is self-aware, to trust that someone else can want what is best for you as much as you do is very difficult to do. 2023 was simply amazing for McGough. He believed in what he was doing and like a streaky hot scorer in basketball was unconscious consistently making the right call and when the play is not there had enough faith in himself and team until he saw the coverage break down and delivered. In all honesty the league is better this year than 2023, but if McGough believes in Holtz, himself and his team he should have a very similar season. Alex McGough is the answer here, because with AJ McCarron gone there is no quarterback in the league that has shown the command needed to make the UFL a conversation piece with the NFL. I feel there is another that has the ability and maturity to get to this level this season and I will mention him later.
Most other quarterbacks the gameplay is too choppy and inconsistent. I am not saying there isn’t a completed pass at the end of it, but it doesn’t pass the NFL quarterback sniff test. Alex McGough is the most irreplaceable. Even Matt Corral who I have a ton of faith in his talent, plays choppy and inconsistent. Let’s see what happens in camp this year. We had one quarterback that had command of the quarterback skills and he is gone so we need to start with one. To me that one is McGough. We know he is capable because we have seen it.
3. Abram Smith : You nailed that one on the head too. Not even a Defenders fan really, but I like players such as Chris Rowland, Jordan Ta’amu, Malik Fisher, Ty Scott and of course Abram Smith. I would love to see him come back to 2023 level. That doesn’t mean the same numbers, but the same leadership, talent and faith from his team he displayed in 2023. A strong Defenders team only helps the league and he is the best way to that. Honorable Mention: Gregg Williams defense is aggressive, hard and when it has enough time to be a cohesive unit has the right people in the right place. Often, however, the defense gets too chippy and undisciplined, a problem the Roughnecks endured. Gregg Williams really needs to INSTILL that aggressive and hard defense, but hard does not mean giving up 15 yards every other play when things are not going well. Gregg Williams and his defense has the opportunity to be irreplaceable he just needs to stop the run and leave Bountygate in New Orleans.
4. Markel Roby: Not a doubt. He is the most irreplaceable Roughneck. Most people would think Justin Hall with good reason. Justin Hall is a stud receiver. To have found Roby you really did your homework, but he no doubt is the man. The Roughneck defense played mostly hard at least phyiscally throughout last year despite the people that gave up and stopped with the team concept. There were many games the Roughnecks were in it at the end of a game and it was because the defense kept them in it. It’s sad because I would say 20 or so players mutinied. To me it was very risky bringing Curtis Johnson back for that very reason. I have to admit though. CJ was miked up quite a bit last season and I saw a good number of questionable coaching calls, much the way I saw that from Anthony Becht.
Also, much like Becht, I can see the real thought process and the way he was looking for real men and players to step up. The players he could count on making the right decisions for the team, even if they weren’t the most talented. One of the issues that finds itself prevalent on an alt football team. This made what Chris Odom, Ethan Westbrooks and a handful of others even more impressive. The strongest Roughneck that remains in that group is the all over the field Markel Roby. You mentioned his numbers before, but when I think of the plays he almost made. I think Will Lewis tried to get the right kinds of players on this team. The right kinds players will be in the right place to help playmakers make plays. I am also interested to see Carson Taylor. I thought he seemed to be a match for offensive tackles even if the stats didn’t show it when he was with the Stars. I wonder if with the growth in the secondary, if he and the rest of his linemates will be helping lots of quarterbacks off the turf.
5. I like that you said hard-pressed. As I have said in the past you really look at the whole piece before you write. That stated I don’t like Daewood Davis here. It’s not hard to see why you picked him, but let me explain. First of all, he excelled on a horrible team so to be honest there is nothing he really added here. I don’t think he deserved to be All-UFL last year. Justin Hall was better for sure. I think Davis had too many drops last year, but was targeted the most showing his ability to get open. That being a double edge sword, I am not saying he can’t be the most irreplaceable, but much like I was not ready to GIVE the Bills a first down they didn’t earn against the Chiefs I am not ready to award Daewood Davis. IF you look at the overhead I could see why you might feel he got it, but at no time was the ball shown to be at the line to gain. At the same time all they had to do was move the ball forward and they did not. You could not GIVE it to the Bills. The Ravens didn’t respect actually possessing the football in the rain. Lamar Jackson and Mark Andrews were both interested in getting the ball to where they wanted the ball to be, but really didn’t respect possessing it. They have to live with that. Back to Memphis, There are four players to me that are irreplaceable because Memphis’ concept of coaching up players instead of winning games has allowed for such a bare cubbard. Alec Lindstrom is one much the way you mentioned Cole Schneider. Those young running backs will need to find holes and someone will need to lead that offensive line. John Atkins is irreplaceable because Jarren Horton loves to pressure the quarterback at the expense of the running game. That leaves John Atkins as the only run stuffer. On hot Memphis days this is going to work out opposite to what Whisenhunt wants from his defense as his defensive line rotates. Jonathan Adams. When Jonathan Adams started with the Breakers in 2022, he played along with Johnnie Dixon, Sal Cannella and Taywon Taylor and people talked about his size and hands, but really he was an additional piece. In 2023 the Breakers again made the playoffs with Adams being a bigger part of the receiving game. Last year with the merger, it would seem that the league more than double in league talent yet Adams was even more indispensable. Unless one of these players grows into the Papale role, Adams will be an even larger piece of the Showboats offense. Lastly, a matured EJ Perry. EJ Perry is a fighter, every game. He is not a beautiful passer, though he can pass. He is not Adrian Martinez, but he can run. The problem is that he likes to get his feet wet. Somewhere around the beginning of the second quarter he starts to figure out what is working against his opponent today. If this is what we are going to get the Showboats defense needs to play like the Maulers defense, until the last two games of 2023 where the defense fell apart. If the defense holds teams to 10-12 points the Showboats will be in every game. If the defense is more porous, EJ Perry needs to mature, figure it out and come out of the gate on target.
6. I would agree that Frank Ginda is a very strong choice. Having Frank Ginda on the team it will go from 10-60 in a second flat and he will lead the team by example. That stated I can see where Bryce Perkins becomes that 2nd quarterback where the league says, wow that is a quarterback play and plays in complete command. I feel he is a MVP candidate. Even with that the most irreplaceable player is Breeland Speaks. He sets the tone. There is NO player in the league like he is. I have often said that if he had more size he would be in the NFL, because he plays at the speed of those players, but with the football player mentality that some of them lack. When the BEST player brings it every play it sets the tone for the others. I have been a Jets fan for some time and how many round one draft picks have have come and gone and none play like Breeland Speaks. He even cleaned up his penalties a bit last year. It’s like realized he may never make it the NFL, but what he is doing he is proud of and winning this damn league means something to him. For yourself, your family and those of us paying attention continue to be you, Mr Speaks.
Tavante Beckett: Toughness and class. I have nothing to say. Only that honorable mention goes to Jontre Kirklin and Kevin Hogan. Let me explain. Kevin Hogan is going to be a good, solid quarterback regardless of what happens. If Kellen Mond performs well we will never have to see Hogan. After all the league likes 24, not 34, but with as good a defense the Brahmas have, Kevin Hogan ensures success. Kellen Mond could be a stud and can make himself MVP and strip Kevin Hogan of this honorable mention status. However, since Mond hasn’t played a down in three years it’s nice to have Kevin Hogan making him irreplaceable.
Hakeem Butler: Though he lead the league in drops last year, he is the kind of target with the kind of upside that is the most irreplaceable player on the Battlehawks. If, however, Chevan Cordeiro, Max Duggan and Manny Wilkins all fail you will start hearing from Hakeem Butler making for some interesting in-house situations. With quarterbacks needing to feel they made a good play and a drop by a receiver can make a young quarterback cringe and with the many times Butler will be open and the quarterback doesn’t see him or misses him, will Butler start to talk. This wasn’t a situation last year. As bad as it was to see McCarron throw his coaches under the bus there was never an issue whereby a young quarterback is thinking about relying too heavily on Butler versus spreading the ball across a good receiver corps. I think Butler is the most irreplaceable. But remember the Battlehawks previously got rid of their most irreplaceable player. That stated, I hope Hakeem Butler realizes the growth of his quarterbacks is more important than his numbers. Those numbers could very well go down, but if he helps his quarterbacks grow, he will become an even more irreplaceable player.
Honorable Mention, Mike Rose. It’s a shame is on the most irreplaceable for how often he gets hurt. That stated he is a football player in every word. Frank Ginda probably respects the hell out of his game.
by Greg Parks
Thanks for offering your perspective, Ken. Always great to read your thoughts on the subject.