It’s official: the St. Louis Battlehawks have set their 50 man roster in place for the UFL season. It was a difficult process, but the team has made the final eight cuts necessary before week one begins.
Per @UFL_PR, the St. Louis Battlehawks cut the following players:
WR Darion Chafin
WR Steven Mitchell Jr.
OT Dallas Warmack
DT Kevin Atkins
DE Chris Garrett
LB Emeke Egbule
LB Drew Lewis
LB Nico BoldenThe @XFLBattlehawks are now set to 50 on the roster for the #UFL season.
— James Larsen (@JamesLarsenPFN) March 22, 2024
Offensive Cuts
WR Darion Chafin
WR Steven Mitchell Jr.
OT Dallas Warmack
The Battlehawks loaded up on wide receivers this offseason, which leads to a couple more talented prospects getting the ax this Friday. Darion Chafin was an addition made during Training Camp, and one who certainly could have made a case to make this roster.
Oh my gosh, what an absolute DIME from AJ McCarron to Steven Mitchell. This one was a beauty.
Just like that, the @XFLBattlehawks only trail 28-20. It's coming down to the wire in The Dome! #XFL | @XFL2023pic.twitter.com/UPdlTYnqBy
— James Larsen (@JamesLarsenPFN) March 19, 2023
Steven Mitchell Jr. is an unfortunate loss, as he spent the 2023 XFL season in St. Louis. Mitchell posted 207 receiving yards and four touchdowns last year, as a solid target for AJ McCarron. However, with the free agents this team secured during the offseason, there isn’t room for everyone to stick around.
Dallas Warmack played in five games for the Battlehawks last year. Head Coach Anthony Becht told the media yesterday that they were going to cut a lineman, and Dallas ended up being on the unfortunate end of that decision.
Defensive Cuts
DT Kevin Atkins
DE Chris Garrett
LB Emeke Egbule
LB Drew Lewis
DB/LB Nico Bolden
Kevin Atkins sticks out as one of the biggest surprises in this batch. Atkins was a solid piece on the interior for the Battlehawks last year, and saw an NFL stint with the New York Giants following his XFL campaign. St. Louis completely retooled their defensive line this offseason, though, which leaves Kevin on the outside looking in.
The @XFL2023 has announced that former St. Louis Battlehawks DT Kevin Atkins has officially signed with the New York Giants.
Atkins posted 14 tackles and a sack during the 2023 season. After garnering interest from Atlanta & NY, he now joins the Giants. #XFL pic.twitter.com/VnEEUoeNp2
— James Larsen (@JamesLarsenPFN) July 26, 2023
Chris Garrett was snagged during the dispersal draft process, and is someone who could absolutely land on another UFL roster. Emeke Egbule and Drew Lewis were offseason additions, who both have alt-football experience in the CFL, and/or the XFL and USFL.
Nico Bolden is listed as a linebacker in the press release, but had signed to the Battlehawks as a defensive back. This secondary unit has been completely reworked, as Becht has emphasized that one of the team’s goals was to revamp this group. With the amount of talent currently featured, Nico sadly did not make the final cut.
Final Thoughts
The St. Louis Battlehawks will certainly feature a different look in the UFL this year. While they have retained their starting quarterback in AJ McCarron, several position groups were gutted throughout the offseason process.
General Manager Dave Boller and Head Coach Anthony Becht have made it clear that this roster needed to improve in order to avoid missing the postseason for a second straight year. Through the dispersal drafts, and the offseason additions, St. Louis is now positioned to make a Championship run heading towards 2024.
What are your thoughts on these cuts for the Battlehawks? Are there any players here that they should bring back? Let us know down in the comments below, or join the conversation on Discord!
