With the recent news of the 2025 UFL College Draft being moved back to September, it’s time to take a look back on the 2024 Draft Class – and how each UFL team benefitted.
The UFL has seen quite a bit of success with their collegiate draft athletes over the past two years. In 2024, we saw standouts join the league such as Defenders WR Ty Scott, Defenders LB Momo Sanogo, Panthers TE Gunnar Oakes, and others.
For the full breakdown on the impact of the 2023 draft class, click here.
This past summer, the UFL College Draft once again produced quality athletes for a chunk of UFL teams. Let’s take a look at who ended up making an impact this season.
Arlington Renegades
Signed:
#2) OT Griffin McDowell
#3) LB Kalen Deloach
#8) OL Spencer Rolland
#9) OL Braison Mays
The Arlington Renegades signed four of their UFL College Draft picks this year, with only one making it to the regular season roster. Kalen Deloach was a late season signing, primarily playing on special teams. He was on 47 ST snaps, with two tackles to his name.
It was unfortunate to see three O-Linemen all get cut in Training Camp who were a part of those draft pick signings. Spencer Rolland did make his way back to the roster later in the year due to an injury to Adrian Ealy – but didn’t play any snaps. McDowell is the type of prospect who could land on another UFL roster, who just couldn’t fit into the scheme.
Braison Mays had a rather unique journey – originally signing with the San Antonio Brahmas (having his rights released). After he was cut by San Antonio, he spent a couple of weeks in camp with Arlington.
Houston Roughnecks
Signed:
#1) EDGE Eyabi Okie
#2) S Tra Fluellen
#6) TE Malcolm Epps
#7) LB Xavier Benson
#8) CB Rayshad Williams
#9) CB Malik Dunlap
#10) TE Geor’Quarius Spivey
DB Ja’Quan Sheppard* (acquired from Memphis)
No one signed more UFL College Draft picks than the Houston Roughnecks, who saw some legitimate success with their selections this year. Eyabi Okie, their first overall pick, ended up being a bust – playing in just one game before being released. He had one tackle in their week one loss to St. Louis.
Safety Tra Fluellen signed an NFL deal with the Saints, so he never made it to camp with Houston. TE Malcolm Epps was cut in camp, while CB Malik Dunlap never even reported to camp.
The rest of the signings made their mark, though. LB Xavier Benson totaled 25 tackles, a sack, and a PBU through nine games, making three starts. TE Geor’Quarius Spivey had seven receptions for 65 yards – and just signed with the Kansas City Chiefs.
Meanwhile, CB Rayshad Williams was arguably the most important addition of them all. He had 32 tackles, three PBU’s, and two interceptions – including a clutch pick six against San Antonio in week five. Due to injuries, Rayshad ended up starting in four games, proving why he was a valuable pick by GM Will Lewis and HC C.J. Johnson.
DB Ja’Quan Sheppard was someone who Houston picked up midway through the year, after his release from Memphis. Ja’Quan was a solid add, with 12 tackles and an interception during his time with the Roughnecks.
Memphis Showboats
Signed:
#7) LB Yvandy Rigby
#8) DB Ja’Quan Sheppard
Both of the Memphis Showboats signees didn’t make it through the full season with the team. LB Yvandy Rigby didn’t play any snaps, and was cut early in the year. CB Ja’Quan Sheppard played in two games with Memphis, totaling two tackles across 40 snaps in those matchups.
It’s worth mentioning that Memphis’ draft picks were made under the John DeFilippo/Dennis Polian regime. Jim Monos and Ken Whisenhunt weren’t involved with the team at that point last year.
Michigan Panthers
Signed:
#4) OL Brian Dooley
#5) QB Rocky Lombardi
#7) S Akeem Dent
#9) OL J.D. Duplain
CB D.J. Miller Jr.* (acquired from San Antonio)
Michigan was active once again in signing their college draftees, which has become a trend for GM Steve Kazor. J.D. Duplain was cut in camp, but the remaining three picks who signed stuck throughout the season. Rocky Lombardi was QB3 behind Danny Etling and Bryce Perkins – and ended up starting in a week 10 game due to the playoffs already being decided. Lombardi, despite not having his best performance in that matchup, is someone that Michigan’s staff is pretty high on heading into 2026.
Rocky Lombardi shows off his jets with a 49-yard run on third down for what would’ve been his first UFL touchdown.
However, after review, it’s called back by an offsetting offensive penalty. pic.twitter.com/fLJvWs6TMC
— Skyler Kisellus (@skylerkisellus) May 31, 2025
Brian Dooley made an impact as a reserve tackle/guard, playing 99 snaps this season. He saw more production in the final two games, as Cohl Cabral missed both those weeks with an injury. Finally, safety Akeem Dent is another piece who was primarily a reserve throughout the year – but saw more action as the season went on due to injuries. He finished his rookie season with six tackles.
Most notably, the Michigan Panthers signed CB D.J. Miller Jr. – who was originally a college draft pick for the Brahmas. With San Antonio already having loaded up on DB’s, they released his rights to Michigan. The Panthers got a ton of production out of Miller, who had 35 tackles, two picks, and six PBU’s throughout the year (including playoffs). D.J. was one of the young stars in this league, and should be in a position to make an NFL run this summer.
St. Louis Battlehawks
Signed:
#1) QB Chevan Cordeiro
#4) OL Bradley Ashmore
#6) DT Isaiah Coe
#7) WR Jelani Baker
#9) DB Myles Sims
#10) DB Myles Jones
The Battlehawks, similar to the Roughnecks, saw their draft picks on the field quite often throughout the 2025 UFL season. Unfortunately, QB Chevan Cordeiro was placed on IR early in the year – and only saw a few snaps in week 10 due to that. Also, DT Isaiah Coe and WR Jelani Baker were let go by the team in camp.
The rest all saw their names called upon often, especially in the backend of the year. Bradley Ashmore filled in at tackle in several games, with an injury up front to Juwann Bushell-Beatty. CB’s Myles Jones and Myles Sims were seeing starting reps towards the end of the year, with Brandon Sebastian and Chris Payton-Jones landing on IR. The two combined for 29 tackles and two PBU’s in 2025.
Final Thoughts
The Birmingham Stallions, DC Defenders, and San Antonio Brahmas never saw any of their college draft picks sign with their respective teams. For the most part, their picks remained on NFL rosters/practice squads throughout the last several months.
DC did break a trend on their end, though, as Ty Scott and Momo Sanogo were key additions in 2024 as college draft picks in 2023. Both contributed to their title run this year.
With the 2025 UFL College Draft now slated for September, it’ll be exciting to see which rookies end up getting their careers started in the league in 2026.
Who were your favorite UFL College Draft picks to watch in the league this year? Who do you want to see picked up in September? Let us know down in the comments below, or join the conversation on Discord!
