With the UFL regular season set to begin in less than 10 days UFL rosters saw a bit of a shake up with some surprising retirements prior to the 2025 season. Since our last article several more players have decided to hang up their cleats who have been a part of the spring football community since 2022, with some not even attempting to give their football careers one more go.
Mataeo Durant St. Louis Battlehawks
Durant retired a couple days into training camp after spending the last Two years with the Battlehawks. Durant was primed to be St. Louis’ RB1 after a performance where he eclipsed 100 yards however injuries would end his 2024 season prematurely.
Dakota Prukop New Jersey Generals
Prukop spent one season with the Generals serving as a change of pace QB between DeAndre Johnson and Kyle Lauletta. A CFL veteran since 2017, Prukop used his rushing ability to carve out a decent career for himself and is now coaching Quarterbacks for the Calgary Stampeders.
Garrett Groshek Pittsburgh Maulers
Groshek retired via a social media post after spending 2024 out of football. After stints with the Raiders, and Vikings, Groshek spent Two years with the Maulers and was left teamless after the merger. Groshek has since coached at the D-III level and began his own training program.
Kobe Smith St. Louis Battlehawks
Smith was set to go into his 2nd season with the Battlehawks and 3rd season in spring football. Smith Retired March 1st, as players reported to camp. His pro career consisted of stints with the Brahmas, Battlehawks, Giants, Falcons, Eagles, Bucs, and Titans.
Alex Moellete San Antonio Brahmas
Per Brahma Bullpen via “x” Moellette has retired after Two seasons in the XFL/UFL. A 2023 All-XFL selection Moellette was infamous for his 40 yd TD reception from punter Brad Wing. He spent time with the Colts, Lions, Brahmas, and Roughnecks since coming out of Marshall as UDFA in 2022.
Calvin Ashley New Jersey Generals
After failing to solidify himself on a UFL roster the past Two years, James Larsen announced the retirement of Ashley. A 2021 UDFA, Ashley was an All-USFL selection in 2023 prior to the merger. After spending training camp with the Stallions, Ashley would sign with the Houston Roughnecks in July 2024 only to be released in January.
Shi Smith Birmingham Stallions
Smith was set to make an impact with Birmingham after spending 2021 through 2023 in the NFL. After signing a futures deal with the Kansas City Chiefs, Smith would be waived prior to training camp in 2024. Smith would sign with Birmingham in January, only to have his retirement announced via UFL PR earlier in the week. He appeared in 23 NFL games recording 28 receptions, 400 yards, and 2 TDs, while earning 1.8M in the NFL via Spotrac.
With salaries always a topic of conversation many mainstays of the league will continue to transition to hire paying opportunities in an effort to provide for themselves and families. Last season between the USFL-XFL merger and a lack of improvements in salaries many players found themselves looking for the next objective, making the hard choice to hang up the helmet. With training camp cut day rapidly approaching more retirements are likely to be announced.
