Birmingham Stallions Sign Former NFL DT Perrion Winfrey
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Stallions’ Defensive Line Shaping Up To Be Dominant In 2025

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The Birmingham Stallions are one of those teams that continues to get better and better every season. Despite all of the incredible talent they’ve possessed across their last three Championship runs – they find ways to improve each year.

This offseason, one of the position groups to see major changes is the defensive line unit. Not only did they lose a couple of their stars to the NFL, but they also lost their coach, Bill Johnson, to the Chicago Bears. Taking over the D-Line is Ron Burton.

While these losses will be tough pills to swallow, former GM Zach Potter did a tremendous job in setting up Birmingham for success in the trenches this year. The Stallions are arguably boasting the best defensive line they’ve had yet. In this piece, we’ll be taking a closer look at what this unit looks like heading into UFL camp.

Defensive Tackles

Carlos Davis
Marvin Wilson
Willie Yarbary
Demetrius Taylor*
Perrion Winfrey*

On the defensive line, the Stallions have returned three of their faces from 2024. Most notably, Carlos Davis is back in action, after earning All-UFL honors this past season. Davis was a league-leader in sacks, as a force to be reckoned with all year long. Marvin Wilson also returns for a second stint in Birmingham, proving to be a quality rotational piece in the UFL. Willie Yarbary is back for a fourth year with the Stallions – as one of the veteran leaders. He’s totaled 82 tackles and seven sacks across three seasons in the USFL/UFL.

The new additions are highlighted by Perrion Winfrey, the former Oklahoma standout and NFL draft pick. Winfrey spent some time with the Browns (who drafted him), and the Jets. Perrion’s NFL stint was cut short due to injury – but if he’s fully healthy, he’s got the potential to be one of the top DT’s in the league. His upside is impressively high. With Jordan Thompson retiring, Winfrey should be an outstanding replacement.

Finally, Demetrius Taylor is another prospect who should fit right into the Stallions defense this year. He was a three-time First Team All-SBC nominee at App. State, and has a bit of NFL experience under his belt.

EDGE Rushers

Bradlee Anae
D.J. Coleman
Josh Pryor
Kyle Phillips
Myjai Sanders
Ronnie Perkins

The Stallions will feature an entirely different EDGE group in 2025. Starters Jonathan Garvin and Dondrea Tillman have made their way to the NFL, and the team has opted not to re-sign Taco Charlton.

This leaves them with plenty of new faces – some of which are arguably the best talent this league has seen at EDGE. Ronnie Perkins is a name that jumps off the sheet, as a former NFL draft pick with the Patriots. He’s seen legitimate NFL action, and is someone who should be a bonafide starter for Corey Chamblin’s defense.

What makes this new and improved unit so impressive, is the fact that all have NFL experience in some way, shape, or form. Bradlee Anae and Kyle Phillips are two of the well known additions. Phillips, in particular, is an exciting pickup; with 65 tackles and 2.5 sacks to his name in the NFL.

D.J. Coleman, Josh Pryor, and Myjai Sanders are all young prospects who will have the chance to prove themselves in camp to Birmingham. Sanders spent time in the NFL with Cincinnati, posting 30 tackles and three sacks with the team.

Overall, this is the strongest EDGE group we’ve seen Birmingham boast yet. Honestly, it’s the best unit we may have ever seen in the spring scene. As long as these players live up to expectations, it’s going to be difficult for their opponents to compete.

Final Thoughts

It’s an exciting time to be a fan of the Birmingham Stallions. They’ve won three straight Championships, and are poised to run it back for a fourth trophy. The talent that GM’s Zach Potter and Paul Roell have acquired this offseason is unreal. The Stallions were 3rd in the UFL with 29 sacks a year ago, and are in a position to lead the league in that category this year with the athletes they possess.

On paper, it’s a bit ridiculous as to how good this group should be. Their resumes all speak for themselves. With the loaded coaching background that Ron Burton features as well, there is no ceiling for how high the Stallions defense can reach in 2025.

The Birmingham Stallions will kick off their UFL season on the road, against the DC Defenders on March 30th.

What are your thoughts on the Birmingham Stallions defensive line unit heading into Training Camp? Let us know down in the comments below, or join the conversation on Discord!

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