Recently many players on UFL were removed from the FOX Sports Website rosters leading to several fans wondering about the status of some mainstays of the modern era of spring football. Over the past several weeks Four players have announced their retirements as the UFL gets ready to kickoff their 2nd season.
Cary Angeline Houston Roughnecks Tight End
Angeline has had some ups and downs in his professional career since leaving NC State in 2021. After training camp stints with the Cardinals and Eagles, Angeline found himself with the Birmingham Stallions during the 2022 season earning a championship with the dynasty. Angeline would be released by Birmingham prior to the 2023 season, only to sign with the San Antonio Brahmas of the XFL in October of 2023. Angeline would fall victim to the merger and the Brahmas staff shake up, Angeline found himself once again unemployed going into 2024. It wasn’t until the Roughnecks (who were also in the midst of a shake up) gave Angeline one more opportunity in August of 2024, however Angeline opted to retire on December 30th.
Bryson Young Linebacker
After being released by the Falcons, Redblacks, and Cardinals, Young found his way to the USFL with the New Jersey Generals in the 2022 USFL Draft spending Two seasons with the team. After being released by the Houston Roughnecks before the UFL’s 1st season, Young opted for retirement on January 3rd after not playing during the 2024 season.
T.J. Green Memphis Showboats Safety
Green came to the USFL after Six seasons in the NFL, and a stint in the CFL with the Saskatchewan Roughriders in 2022. After originally being drafted by the XFL’s Arlington Renegades in the 2023 XFL Draft, Green opted to sign with the Birmingham Stallions for the 2023 season playing with the team until May 10th. Green would then sign with the Memphis Showboats spending the remainder of 2023, and 2024 with the team appearing in 13 games for Memphis. He announced his retirement on January 4th via his social media.
Jake Lacina Arlington Renegades Center
Lacina came to pro football from the division II school Augustana in South Dakota. After a stint with the Minnesota Vikings, Lacina became one of the USFL’s best Centers for Two seasons with the New Jersey Generals earning All-USFL honors in 2023. Lacina would join the Arlington Renegades in 2024 becoming a mainstay on their offensive line before retiring via his instagram January 14th. During his professional career Lacina appeared in 30 games (and 1 playoff start) continuing his streak of toughness and consistency.
Isaiah Moore Birmingham Stallions Linebacker
Moore was an off-season signing by Birmingham in an effort to replenish their Linebacker room. A member of the 2023 Kansas City Chiefs, Moore tore his ACL spending the season on injured reserve while earning a Super Bowl ring. Moore has transitioned to coaching working with his Alma Mater NC State as a Defensive Assistant.
As the 2025 season approaches UFL players continue to weigh the options of what the next step in life entails moving forward. 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 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 rapidly approaching more retirements are likely to be announced.
1 Comment
by Ken Granito
As a big of the USFL and the New Jersey Generals this is kind of sad news to me. As for Jake Lacina he is a fine player and has performed admirably in the league and has helped it grow. In 2023 he was ALL-USFL at the Center position. Football is a game of moving parts and to be jonest never stops moving. I remember a big game for the Generals in 2023 where he was called for being down the field illegally twice in the game which ended up being a reason that the Generals failed to reach the playoffs in 2023. My hope is that like in that game he isn’t being too impatient and deciding this too early. Talent is ever changing in football, however with two teams starting up next year there may indeed be a place for him., Either I wish Jake good luck in whatever he does.
Bryson Young: In 2022 a lot of hype came with him to New Jersey. He did an ok job but under Chris Dishman did not make the impact the press suspected he might. However, in 2023 Ted Cottrell became the Defensive Coordinator and brought the defense to a whole other level. The line rotated players in and out and along with Hercules Ma’tafa, Toby Johnson, Tyshun Render, Kolin Hill and Bryson Young put tons of pressure on opposing quarterbacks and offensive linemen. I had hoped to see Young in the IFA this year hoping he would keep himself ready for UFL expansion next year and hopefully a return for the Generals as Ted Cottrell already proved that Young could apply pressure while keeping his rush lanes, something very important on team defense. He will be missed.
TJ Green: A lot of people may feel TJ Green did not accomplish much considering was a NFL 2nd round pick by the NFL Colts. I honestly just feel he was a slow learning. While the Volts were offering playing time I don’t think he was yet ready. Even when he got to the USFL it looked like he was reacting to every play in a bit of slow motion. It’s like he was watching everyone else on the play and this would tell him what it was he needed to do. One of the few good stories in the UFL was the emergence as TJ Green as a leader. Instead of being posterized, he was the playing quickly diagnosing the play and hitting with purpose, filling the hole and making the hit. He became a much needed leader on defense and helped to keep the Showboats in games. In seems as many of the other games players were losing their way he was finding his. Even in the 2024 win to end the season against the Roughnecks he contributed 7 tackles including 4 solo hits. Most players enter the UFL to help them get back or to the NFL., Hoping TJ Green found a place to allow himself to find himself. I am happy for him that he went out on a high note. Also he like Cary Angeline were able to win champions with the Stallions.