With the NFL season now complete and the offseason underway, Philadelphia has one of the most extended lists of players who are getting another shot in the new eight-team UFL, which kicks off season kicks off on Saturday, March 30, 2024, with the battle of the 2023 champions: Arlington Renegades vs Birmingham Stallions.
A combination agreement (the “UFL”) is the premier spring football league that resulted from the merger of the XFL and USFL.
Russ Brandon, former President and CEO of the XFL, will lead the UFL as President and CEO. Former USFL President of Football Operations Daryl Johnston will lead football operations.
Founded in 2001, the XFL was a collaboration between NBC and WWF (WWE), spearheaded by Vince McMahon. After a hot start, poor ratings ultimately led to the league’s lasting just one season. The league returned in 2020, with McMahon again leading the reboot, but it had to close its doors again after COVID-19 shut things down after just five weeks.
The league filed for bankruptcy and was forced to sell.
A group headed by Dany Garcia, including Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, bought the league out of bankruptcy for $15 million, eyeing 2023 as its return season.
The UFL has eight teams in Arlington (TX), Birmingham (AL), Detroit (MI), Houston (TX), San Antonio (TX), Memphis (TN), St. Louis (MO), and Washington D.C.
With action to begin this weekend, we’re looking at 15 former Eagles on UFL rosters.
1
Teams
USFL Conference
Birmingham Stallions
Houston Roughnecks
Memphis Showboats
Michigan Panthers
XFL Conference
Arlington Renegades
D.C. Defenders
San Antonio Brahmas
St. Louis Battlehawks
2
Deon Cain WR--Birmingham Stallions
Cain had eight catches on 18 targets with 106 receiving yards during three preseason performances in 2022, making him an under-the-radar candidate for the Eagles roster.
3
Marvin Wilson DT-- Birmingham Stallions
Signed by the Browns as an undrafted free agent out of FSU, Wilson spent two seasons with the Eagles, logging three total tackles.
4
Reid Sinnett,QB -- Houston Roughnecks
Claimed off waivers by Philadelphia in 2021, Sinnett spent two years with the Eagles.
5
Vinny Papale WR--Memphis Showboat
The son of Eagles legend Vince Papale, Vinny will play for the Mephis Showboats.
6
John Hightower WR --Michigan Panthers
Hightower played college football at Boise State and was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the fifth round of the 2020 NFL Draft.
In two seasons, Hightower had ten catches and spent one full year on the practice squad.
7
Chim Okorafor OL -- Michigan Panthers
A former NAIA All-America selection and former Benedictine College offensive lineman, Okorafor spent the 2023 training camp with the Eagles.
8
Devin Ross WR --Michigan Panthers
The former Colorado wide receiver spent parts of 2019 on the Eagles practice squad.
9
Deontay Burnett WR -- Arlington Renegades
Burnett was signed to the Philadelphia Eagles’ practice squad in 2019, and in week 17, he caught 2 passes for 48 yards in the 34–17 win against the Giants.
Burnett spent parts of 2020 and 2021 with the Eagles practice squad.
10
Ajene Harris CB-- Arlington Renegades
After going undrafted in the 2019 NFL Draft, Harris signed with the Philadelphia Eagles and was released that August. Harris spent parts of the 2019 season on the Eagles practice squad.
11
Luis Perez QB -- Arlington Renegades
Perez played college football at Texas A&M University–Commerce from 2015 to 2017.
A spring league star, Perez signed with the Eagles after the AAF suspended football operations on April 9, 2019.
Perez was waived by the Eagles that May.
12
Alex Elliss TE -- D.C. Defenders
A native of Delmar, Delaware, Ellis joined the NFL as a rookie free agent of the Tennessee Titans in 2016 out of the University of Tennessee. He played in six games (three starts) as a rookie for Jacksonville and caught three passes for 11 yards in 124 snaps.
Elliss spent parts of the 2019 season with Philadelphia.
13
Hakeem Butler TE -- St. Louis Battlehawks
The former Iowa State wide receiver spent parts of 2020 and 2021 with the Eagles.
14
Lavert Hill CB -- St. Louis Battlehawks
Hill spent parts of 2020 and 2021 with the Eagles.
15
Kobe Smith DT -- St. Louis Battlehawks
Smith spent the 2022 training camp with the Philadelphia Eagles. He was waived/injured on August 30, 2022, and placed on injured reserve.
