It’s been a busy couple of weeks for the Houston Roughnecks, as they re-sign players for the 2026 UFL season. General Manager Will Lewis is wasting no time in bringing back key pieces, and Houston has officially re-signed eight more players today.
OG Noah Atagi
Noah Atagi was an offseason addition for Houston heading into 2025. He ended up working his way into the starting rotation quickly, as a starter in the nine games he was active with the Roughnecks this past season.
Atagi has size, at 6’6”, 335 pounds. Noah allowed just one sack on 484 snaps this season, playing primarily at right guard. He also didn’t commit a single penalty in 2025 – showcasing his discipline and attention to detail. It’s not surprising to see Noah return to Houston, especially with the job that O-Line coach Tom Cable did this year.
OL Samuel Jackson
Samuel Jackson got off to a rough start for Houston. Similar to Atagi, he was acquired in the offseason, and started for the majority of the year. He began the season at tackle, allowing three sacks in the first two games alone.
After that, though, Samuel’s play drastically improved. He gave up just one more sack the entire year, and showcased some versatility as he moved between playing tackle and guard. Injuries required more out of Jackson, and he stepped up as the year went on. He finished the season with a strong 71.9 Pass Blocking Grade, via PFF.
DT Israel Antwine
Houston made defensive improvements because of the offseason change, which Israel Antwine was a part of. Antwine made the leap from arena ball to the UFL, and started in all 10 games at DT for the Roughnecks in 2025.
Israel finished the year with 12 tackles, a sack, and 10 defensive stops – boasting a strong 75.4 Run Defense grade. He’s someone that C.J. Johnson highlighted as a player who took accountability, voicing his determination to improve as a unit as the season went on.
DE T.J. Franklin
Speaking of quality defensive players, T.J. Franklin ended up serving Houston as one of their top pass rushers on the season. He started in three of nine games played, and was very consistent with the quality of play he presented each and every week.
Franklin posted 19 tackles, two sacks, 25 quarterback pressures, and 15 defensive stops during the 2025 UFL season. He also had a clutch fumble scoop and score in a week six win over the Memphis Showboats. Franklin is someone who didn’t get enough credit for the job he did in Houston, finishing with a strong 81.3 Defensive Grade via PFF.
LB Xavier Benson
Xavier Benson, who was one of the Roughnecks UFL College Draft picks in 2024, made an immediate impact in the linebacker room in Houston. Benson was a tackling machine in college, and brought that skillset to the organization in 2025.
Xavier started in three of nine games played; totaling 25 tackles, a sack, and 11 defensive stops on the year. He’s a young prospect who’s got plenty of upside, and now returns for a second season with the Roughnecks.
CB Malik Dunlap
While Malik Dunlap – one of Houston’s UFL College Draft picks – had signed to play in 2025, he didn’t report to camp. This resulted in the Roughnecks removing him from their roster. Malik was one of the exciting pickups at DB for this team; but now, he’s officially back for 2026.
Dunlap began his time in college at North Carolina State. He started in 10 games there, totaling 41 tackles and a sack. In 2021, Malik made the move to Texas Tech. This proved to be a fantastic move, as he worked his way into a starting role from ‘22-23.
Across those final two seasons, Dunlap posted 68 tackles, a sack, four interceptions, and an impressive 23 PBU’s. The Roughnecks boast some strong secondary play as is, but Malik is a young athlete who brings more depth to the table.
S Leon O’Neal Jr.
There weren’t many players in the UFL who played with more passion, energy, and drive than Leon O’Neal. He was outstanding in his debut season with the Houston Roughnecks, leading the way for a defense that played strong, stout football from week to week.
Leon totaled 51 tackles, a sack, a pick six, and two PBU’s on the season. His 18 defensive stops led all UFL safeties. O’Neal earned All-UFL honors in 2025, and for good reason. Leon’s aggressive play, paired with his high football IQ and character, made him into one of the UFL’s best this past season.
P Mike Rivers
Finally, the Houston Roughnecks have re-signed punter Mike Rivers. Rivers replaced Hunter Niswander this past season, and flashed some legitimate potential in his rookie campaign in the pros.
Mike sent 42 punts for a total of 2,026 yards in 2025. He averaged 48.2 yards per punt, the second highest of anyone in the league. His net average was much lower, though, at 33.4 yards. Rivers’ big leg was on display – but at time, it hurt the team as he led the UFL with eight touchbacks.
Heading into his sophomore season, Mike has a couple of things to improve upon – but he’s on the right track.
Final Thoughts
It’s a busy offseason for Houston. Head Coach C.J. Johnson made it clear after the season concluded: keep as much as we can intact. GM Will Lewis has done exactly that, already re-signing standouts such as WR Justin Hall, QB Jalan McClendon, LB J.T. Tyler, and others.
What are your thoughts on these latest moves from the Houston Roughnecks? Let us know down in the comments below, or join the conversation on Discord!
