As the UFL Draft is set to begin, UFL teams were allowed to protect 10 non-regional players for the 2026 season. After selecting 3 quarterbacks, and 3 regional players the Battlehawks have confirmed 10 players from their 2025 team to remain on the roster moving forward.
Offensive Line:
With the news of Jaryd Jones-Smith retiring, the Battlehawks selected opted to retain two reserve offensive linemen for the 2026 season. Ryan Coll and Bradley Ashmore both have decided to return for the 2026 season looking to crack the starting lineup.
Skills:
Jarveon Howard is now healthy (per his agent), and Jahcour Pearson return for the 2026 season at the “skills” position for St. Louis. Howard is primed to take the lead role at running back with Jacob Saylors in the NFL. Frank Darby also returns for the 2026 as well, after recording 11 receptions for 162 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Defensive Line:
The Battlehawks bring back both EDGE rushers in fan favorite Travis Feeney and Defensive Player of the Year Pita Taumoepenu. Both players are spring football veterans, with Feeney being one of the UFL’s most marketable players. The duo combined for 10 sacks last season, along with two defensive player of the week awards.
Defensive Backs:
The Battlehawks protected two 2024 draft picks in Myles Jones, and Myles Sims as well as veteran Kameron Kelly. Jones and Sims, were elevated to starters in 2025 due to injuries with Kelly being a consistent figure in Alt-Football since 2019. Kelly started all 10 regular season games for St. Louis in 2025 as well.
The Battlehawks and the rest of the UFL will begin its next phase of the UFL draft set to take place January 13–14 at UFL Headquarters in Arlington, Texas.
Players who were not protected as reserves or through the regional allocation process are now available for pool selection by any team on Day One of the UFL Draft, based off their position group. The second day of the UFL Draft will follow the same round format and focus on players who are not under contract with another football league.
UFL teams must select a minimum of 60 players and a maximum of 62 players in the Draft, including three quarterbacks, regional allocations, and Reserve List players. Teams may sign additional free agents following the Draft; the training camp roster limit is 64 players.
