For a very short time, the United Football League (UFL) experienced true free agency for the first time. It opened up in October, allowing all eight franchises access to players who had been under contract with their respective teams for two seasons already.
However, just a few weeks into UFL Free Agency – everything shifted. The UFL announced the relocation of three markets (Michigan, Memphis, San Antonio) to Columbus, Louisville, and Orlando.
With all of the changes that Mike Repole and his group have brought to the UFL, it put player signings to a halt. There haven’t been any moves in well over a month, as the league parted ways with all eight of their General Managers – as they work towards a new personnel structure internally.
It’s a shame, because UFL Free Agency was off to a hot start. It was an exciting few weeks for spring football diehards, watching some of their favorite players make their way to a new home. But, for a second consecutive time (going back to USFL Free Agency in 2023) – it might amount to absolutely nothing.
There were a few notable signings – with plenty more on the way…until they weren’t.
QB Matt Corral: Birmingham > Michigan
The morning before the UFL announced that the Michigan Panthers were no more, one of the league’s top quarterback prospects jumped ship. Matt Corral, who had played for the Birmingham Stallions from 2024-2025, signed with the Panthers.
It was a smart move for both Corral, and Michigan. The Panthers needed to pick up a QB, with Bryce Perkins having signed with the Carolina Panthers in the preseason (and wasn’t guaranteed to return). Meanwhile, Matt needed a fresh start in the UFL, after two consecutive seasons were he could not stick on the field in Birmingham, whether that be due to injury – or simply being beat out by Adrian Martinez or Alex McGough.
It’s too bad we won’t get to see this signing play out in realtime, as it would have been fascinating. The Birmingham Stallions and Michigan Panthers had developed a strong rivalry the last couple of years, with Corral playing a major role in those matchups – winning a couple of them for Birmingham.
LB Jordan Williams: San Antonio > Birmingham
One of the signings that went under the radar was Jordan Williams – who signed with the Stallions. Williams spent three years with the San Antonio Brahmas, as one of the top tackling linebackers in the XFL and UFL. In coverage, he wasn’t the league’s finest – but he found ways to make the right play most of the time.
Williams would have been a strong depth fit for Birmingham. The Stallions were not retaining Kyahva Tezino in free agency – who had plans to sign with another team. Jordan would have been able to come into Birmingham and play a similar role to Tezino.
WR Jontre Kirklin: San Antonio > Dallas
While it was a down year for Jontre Kirklin – he’s still one of the league’s most electrifying playmakers offensively. Kirklin dealt with multiple quarterback and coaching changes this year, a big part in why he wasn’t as productive.
Jontre would have been joining a loaded WR room in Dallas as is. With Luis Perez at the helm, and Chuck Long’s offensive prowess, Kirklin was bound to be a major impact player for the Renegades in 2026. Time will tell if he ends up sticking on that roster or not.
OG Dohnovan West: St. Louis > Dallas
The Dallas Renegades lost one of their top guards this offseason, with Garrett McGhin retiring. They opted to sign Dohnovan West, the former Arizona State product who spent two years with the St. Louis Battlehawks.
West is a versatile piece, playing center for the Vegas Vipers during the 2023 XFL season. He’s put together some solid performances during his time in the spring scene, and would have been in the runnings for a starting gig with the Renegades in 2026.
Final Thoughts
There were a couple of other “free agent movement” signings that occurred as well. They aren’t exactly the same, though, as these players were cut by their old teams before signing elsewhere. QB Jalen Morton (Stallions) and DB Chris Steele (Brahmas) signed with the Roughnecks. Meanwhile, DT Shakel Brown (Roughnecks) had been acquired by the Stallions.
With the UFL seeing so many changes the last few months, it’s hard to say with certainty what these moves even mean at this point. The Michigan Panthers don’t exist anymore, and there’s no guarantee that the coaches for Dallas or Birmingham return – at least not yet.
Hopefully, we have clarity on all of this sooner than later, with the New Year just 21 days away.
What were your thoughts on UFL Free Agency this fall, while it existed? Let us know down in the comments below, or join the conversation on Discord!
