This is the third part of an eight-part look at each UFL team’s 2025 season.
What went right
Houston was the most improved team in the league in 2025, going from one win in 2024 to five and a .500 record in 2025. They did this in large part by finally finding a quarterback in Jalan McClendon, who began the year third on the depth chart and a weekly inactive. He completed 65% of his passes and threw six touchdowns to just three interceptions. WR Justin Hall was first in the UFL in receptions with 62, giving McClendon a reliable target. Under the tutelage of Tom Cable, the offensive line was much improved from 2024. Punter Mike Rivers came out of nowhere to nearly lead the league in punting average. A big part of Houston’s turnaround was their turnover ratio: They led the UFL at +8 in turnovers and they paced the UFL with nine interceptions. Head coach Curtis Johnson didn’t lose the team despite a slow start to the season and to his credit, they eliminated a lot of the silly penalties that doomed them last year.
What went wrong
From an evaluation standpoint, it’s worth wondering how the most effective quarterback on the team started the season last on the depth chart, which perhaps cost Houston a win or two at the beginning of the season and therefore potentially a playoff spot. A 1-3 start, including getting blown out in the home Friday night opener, put them behind the eight-ball right away. While the defense created turnovers, they also allowed the second-most yards per game in the UFL. In-game decision making was still a problem at times for Johnson, especially with coach’s challenges.
Stat to note
Perhaps no stat exemplifies Houston’s improved offensive performance in 2025 than the improvement made in sacks allowed. In 2024, Roughnecks quarterbacks were taken down behind the line of scrimmage 26 times, second-most in the league. That number improved to just 15 in 2025, good for third fewest in the UFL.
Offensive MVP
While WR Justin Hall has an argument to win this award for the second year in a row (in leading the UFL in receptions, he hauled in 18 more than second place), no player was as key to Houston’s turnaround as QB Jalan McClendon. The Roughnecks offense was rudderless with Anthony Brown and Nolan Henderson at the helm. McClendon was like a breath of fresh air when he was inserted into the starting lineup at the midway point of the season. He proceeded to go 4-2 in his six starts, distributing the ball to the team’s playmakers and taking on a leadership role on the field. Teammates seemed to rally around him, and his presence gives this franchise hope for the future.
Defensive MVP
He wasn’t at the top of any statistical categories on the team, but S Leon O’Neal, Jr. quickly emerged as a guy who would make plays when they were needed. From the defensive backfield, he finished second on the team in tackles and added four tackles for loss, three pass breakups, an interception, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. He was one of only a handful of Houston defensive players to play in all 10 games, a consistent presence for a defense that saw a lot of young players take the field. O’Neal’s football journey has taken him from the NFL to the CFL to the IFL and finally to the UFL, where, if he wants, he may have found a permanent home.
Special Teams MVP
Kicker Chris Blewitt and punter Mike Rivers both had solid years and it was difficult to choose between them. So I went with the other third of the battery, the one commonality among them, LS Marco Ortiz. The Nebraska grad and brother of Arlington Renegades LS Antonio Ortiz came highly touted out of college but couldn’t find a place in the NFL, despite being invited to the 2024 NFL Combine, a rarity for a specialist. Ortiz replaced Logan Klusman, who snapped for the Roughnecks in 2024, and Marco was nearly flawless. He has already re-signed for 2025 and will be back unless he gets an NFL opportunity – he has already tried out for the Arizona Cardinals.
Most likely to succeed (in getting NFL opportunities)
By the end of July, Houston already placed more players on NFL roster in 2025 than they did through the entire 2024 NFL season. It’s a testament to how much the roster improved this year. In last year’s UFL College Draft, Houston selected several players who didn’t get much more than a tryout from the NFL. Those players are young enough to where the NFL may take a second look at them this summer. That would include players like S Rayshad Williams and LB Xavier Benson. The most interesting prospect is McClendon; did he intrigue a team enough to give him a longer look than he’s previously received? An improved offensive line should also mean players like Jack Kramer and Avery Gennesy should be on teams’ short lists for injury replacements.
QB concern level for 2025 (1-5)
The off-season trade for McClendon from D.C. was a tremendous move by first-year Houston general manager Will Lewis. Though it didn’t pay immediate dividends, it did allow Houston to go into the off-season knowing they have a QB they can win with – not many UFL teams can say that. Anthony Brown was the big splash signing but he busted in limited action. I’d be surprised if he’d return as a clear backup. Nolan Henderson gives the Roughnecks a little bit more running ability and can provide different looks for the defense. I think we saw a big enough sample size from McClendon that we can’t write him off as a flash in the pan. It’s a 2 for Houston.
Head coach hot seat rating (1-5)
Curtis Johnson managed to cool his seat significantly with his team’s performance this year. It was a curious move to keep the coaching staff largely intact for 2025 given the struggles of 2024 and the fact that Johnson needed to have a big turnaround in 2025. Yet the moves (or lack thereof) seemed to work. Aside from McClendon, perhaps the biggest offseason addition was that of Johnson’s former college roommate Tom Cable, who came in to assist the offensive line and the run game. Cable was clearly Johnson’s right-hand man on the sidelines and brought NFL head coaching experience to the Roughnecks. The question now is, can Johnson get Houston over the hump and to challenge for a playoff spot in 2026? Johnson’s seat is down to a 2.5.
Offseason needs for 2026
Aside from being one of the teams rumored to be looking for a new home, Houston does have other things on their offseason to-do list. Along with Michigan, Houston is one of the teams that has been quick to re-sign several of its key contributors for 2026. Like all teams, they could use some depth across the offensive line in case injuries strike any of the starting five. Justin Hall is great in the short game but they could really use someone who can take the top of the defense on a consistent basis. Houston got good production from its edge rushers Tashawn Bower and Jamir Jones; they could use a little bit more oomph in the middle of the line.