UFL DRAFT OPENS WITH QB SELECTIONS
The new-look United Football League has completed the selection process for its 2026 quarterback and regional college allocations.
The event, the opening acts of the 2026 draft, sees head coaches evaluate all available quarterbacks in collaboration with the UFL’s centralised scouting department, with selections being made on Friday 9th January and announced today (Tuesday 13th January). As expected, there are some familiar names in familiar places but, with four new teams in the eight-team competition for the coming season, some anticipation still surrounded the selection process.
Birmingham Stallions
Matt Corral
Taylor Elgersma
Jaren Hall
Columbus Aviators
Jalen McClendon
Jalen Morton
Clayton Tune
Dallas Renegades*
Luis Perez
Austin Reed
DC Defenders
Mike DiLiello
Spencer Sanders
Jordan Ta’amu
Houston Gamblers*
Hunter Dekkers
Donovan Smith
Louisville Kings*
Jason Bean
Chandler Rogers
Orlando Storm
Jack Plummer
Dorian Thompson-Robinson
St. Louis Battlehawks
Michael Pratt
Brandon Silvers
Ben Woolridge
(*denotes teams continuing to evaluate possible third quarterback selection)
The College Regional Allocation selection was held remotely on January 10th 2026, with regions defined by the UFL Player Personnel Department to ensure equity. Head coaches were then able to choose a maximum of up to three players from their allocated colleges as part of the UFL Draft.
Birmingham Stallions
Kobe Jones, OLB, Mississippi State (previously with San Antonio Brahmas)
Mason Brooks, T, Mississippi (previously with DC Defenders)
Desmond Little, DE, Alabama-Birmingham
Columbus Aviators
Alize Mack, TE, Notre Dame (previously with San Antonio Brahmas)
Juwann Bushell-Beatty, T, Michigan (previously with St. Louis Battlehawks)
Jailin Walker, MLB, Indiana
Dallas Renegades
Sam Tecklenburg, OL, Baylor (previously with San Antonio Brahmas)
Keondre Coburn, DT, Texas
Siaki Ika, NT, Baylor
DC Defenders
Gottlieb Ayedze, T, Maryland
Brandon Smith, LB, Penn State
Johari Branch, G, Maryland (previously with DC Defenders)
Houston Gamblers
Jontre Kirklin, WR Louisiana State (previously with San Antonio Brahmas)
Anthony Hines III, LB, Texas A&M (previously with DC Defenders)
Rashard Lawrence, DE, Louisiana State (previously with San Antonio Brahmas)
Louisville Kings
JaVonta Payton, WR, Tennessee (previously with Dallas Renegades)
Daniel Grzesaik, DE, Cincinnati
Willie Tyler, OL Louisville (previously with San Antonio Brahmas)
Orlando Storm
Cole Schneider, G, Central Florida (previously with Birmingham Stallions)
Samuel Jackson, G, Central Florida (previously with Houston Roughnecks)
Elijhah Badger, WR, Florida
St. Louis Battlehawks
Hakeem Butler, WR, Iowa State (previously with St. Louis Battlehawks)
Kevon Latulas, RB, Missouri State (previously with St. Louis Battlehawks)
Michael Ojemudia, FS, Iowa (previously with DC Defenders)
(Players listed without previous team were free agents)
Each team was also allowed to add up to 12 players — six on offense and six on defense — to its ‘Reserve List’ to prevent exposure in the UFL Draft. The reserves will be announced on Tuesday 13th January, along with the first day’s selections from the 2026 UFL Draft.
The two-day position-by-position UFL Draft will conclude on Wednesday 14th January.