As we do every year fans will always debate on power rankings for teams, position groups, and players all around. This week News Hub contributor Evan Willsmore and I broke down the Top-10 players going into the UFL season for 2024. With teams now condensed and combined going from Two Leagues of 16 Teams to now One League of 8 Teams, the talent pool for the UFL maybe at the highest level since the 1980s USFL.
10. Cody Latimer Tight End San Antonio Brahmas
Latimer was a spring league “rookie”, bursting on to the scene earning All-XFL Honors for the Orlando Guardians. In 2024, Latimer joins the Air-Raid Offense led by AJ Smith, that also has Quinten Dormady penciled in as QB1 for the time being. With the combination of consistency at QB along with a more open passing attack, Latimer should be in line to one of the UFL’s more dominant Tight Ends.
9. Vontae Diggs Linebacker Memphis Showboats
Diggs joins Head Coach John DeFilippo transitioning from the Breakers to Showboats in 2024, as the UConn alum goes into his 7th season as a pro. Diggs has spent time with the NFL, CFL, and AAF, after spending the last Two seasons in the USFL with the New Orleans Breakers. Going into his Third straight season of Professional Football Diggs, whose been on the cusp of being an All-USFL player is primed for another big year as one of the UFL’s premiere defenders.
8. Frank Ginda Linebacker Michigan Panthers
After earning his first NFL Practice Squad opportunity with the Atlanta Falcons, and putting up 194 Tackles over the past Two seasons with the Panthers, Ginda returns to Spring Football in an effort to solidify an NFL roster spot this coming fall. Ginda whose Pass Defense has improved mightily since 2022 earn All-USFL honors, DPOY, and Defensive Player of the Week honors (Four Times) in 2023 solidifying himself among the best players in the USFL. Moving into 2024 expect Ginda to be the key cog for Michigan this season as the team looks to improve on their 2023 season.
7. Sal Cannella Tight End Arlington Renegades
Cannella returns on this list after another solid Spring campaign in 2023 with Arlington. Despite sub-par Quarterback play from Drew Plitt and Kyle Slater, Cannella still was a Top TE in the XFL narrowing missing out on an All-XFL selection to Cody Latimer. Cannella with the consistent play of Luis Perez who is the presumed QB1 for Arlington should have no problem putting together an excellent that will see him earning All-UFL honors and crossing the threshold of 1K career receiving yards.
6. Case Cookus Quarterback Memphis Showboats
Cookus has been a consistent figure since week 3 of 2022 at the spring football Quarterback position, becoming a top-tier QB in the USFL over the last Two seasons. Going into 2024 Cookus is primed to continue his dominance with a revamped Offensive Line, and a plethora of weapons at the Wide Receiver Position.
5. Pita Taumoepenu Defensive Line/Linebacker St. Louis Battlehawks
Taumoepenu’s length, speed, and ferocity make him one of the UFL’s most dominate pass rushers coming into 2024. With addition pieces in the Battlehawks secondary Taumoepenu should be able to add to his Sack numbers defending his title as the XFL’s Defensive Player of the Year.
4. Kyahva Tezino Linebacker Birmingham Stallions
A linebacker many felt was snubbed as Defensive Player of the Year in the USFL, Tezino has earned multiple seasonal awards over the past two seasons with the Maulers and scored a Defensive Touchdown in 2023 as well. A tackling machine that’s now in John Chavis’ Defense look for Tezino to be a contender for the UFL’s Defensive Player of the Year award.
3. Jordan Ta’amu Quarterback D.C. Defenders
Ta’amu is another spring league veteran who statistically has been one of spring football’s best Quarterbacks since 2000. With his athletic ability, and comfortability in Fred Kaiss’s offense Ta’amu is primed to dominate whether it be through the air or with his legs.
2. Abram Smith Running Back D.C. Defenders
I selected Smith to be one of my Top-3 players last year and he did not disappoint. Smith, earned All-XFL honors coming within 10 yards of the 2001 XFL record. Smith has forced teams to rethink their interior Defensive Line, like the Battlehawks who signed Austin Faoliu in an effort to combat the Defenders stud Running Back.
1. A.J. McCarron Quarterback St. Louis Battlehawks
Any surprises here? I didn’t think so the former Alabama Quarterback re-vitalized a city that has been scorned by Pro Football twice since the Rams left. With McCarron being unofficially the face of the league in 2024, look for him to live up to the hype in hopes of bringing a championship with his reloaded receiving corps this season.
