After the Battlehawks solidified their first 30 players, Ricky Proehl and his staff added 30 players to their roster. Proehl and company filled in their roster with UFL “free agents” in the open portion of the draft for the 2026 St. Louis Battlehawks. The Battlehawks roster currently sits at 60 before players signing futures deals with NFL teams.
Offensive Line:
Jarrod Hufford: After six seasons at Iowa State and 47 starts, the Battlehawks select Hufford who can play both Guard and Center.
Corey Stewart: Stewart comes from Purdue where he spent one season after, four seasons at Ball State. He was recently in training camp with the LA Chargers.
Aiden Williams: Williams was a UDFA out of the Division-II University Minnesota Duluth earning All-Conference Honors twice. He spent part of 2025 on the Steelers and Panthers practice squad, recently signing with the Steelers to a futures deal on January 14th.
Javion Cohen: Cohen joins the UFL after coming out of Miami as a UDFA in 2024. Cohen spent time on the Browns practice squad and active roster in 2024, before being waived at the conclusion of training camp in 2025.
Addison West: West is a 2025 UDFA from Western Michigan. He signed with the Miami Dolphins and was released at the conclusion of their 2025 training camp.
Wyatt Bowles: Bowles was a UDFA out of Utah State who spent time with the Rams during 2025, bouncing back and forth on their practice squad. Bowles had a stint with the Arizona Cardinals on their practice squad as well, however was not offered a futures deal. Bowles after being selected by the Battlehawks returned to the Rams on a futures deal on January 15th.
Richard Gouraige: Gouraige spent 2023 to 2025 with the Buffalo Bills recently being released by Buffalo on January 6th. Gouraige now looks like to continue his career for the Battlehawks in 2026.
Front Seven:
Michael Dwunfour: Dwunfour has been on the fringe of being with the UFL, signing with the Battlehawks in 2024. He’s been in the NFL since 2021 spending time with seven NFL teams, through five years.
Raymond Johnson III: Johnson is a 2021 UDFA out of Georgia Southern, most recently with the Bengals in 2025. He was released by Cincinnati at the conclusion of training camp like season.
Abrahma Beauplan: Beauplan has been with two NFL teams since coming out of Marshall in 2023. He was released in May of 2025 by the Lions prior to training camp.
Nesta Jade Silvera: A 7th round draft pick in 2023, Silvera is a veteran of four NFL teams in three seasons. He’s registered 10 NFL Tackles in 9 NFL games.
Neil Farrell: A Super Bowl champion in 2023, Farrell was a 4th round pick by the Raiders in 2022. Farrell has appeared in 19 NFL games recording 15 tackles.
Offensive Skills:
Jordan Waters: A 2025 UDFA, Waters earned All-Conference Honors as a running back at Duke in 2023. He waived by the Rams at the conclusion of training camp.
Thayer Thomas: A 2023 UDFA out of NC State, Thomas has spent time with the Vikings, and Broncos on their practice squad. Thomas was released due to injury by Denver last October.
Kylin James: James was a 2025 UDFA out of UNLV and Central Arkansas (FCS). He served as a reserve running back in UNLV averaging 7.4 yards per carry his senior year.
Jha’Quan Jackson: Jackson was a 6th round pick in 2024, serving as a return specialist with the Titans. He was released by Tennessee, spending time on the Saints practice squad in 2025.
Tyler Neville: Neville is a cancer survivor, playing his college career at Harvard and Virginia. He spent training with the Cowboys in 2025, before being released at the conclusion of training camp. He is the only Tight End on the roster.
Lideatrick Griffin: A 2022 All-American and 1st Team All-SEC due to his skill as a kick returner, Griffin was a UDFA to the Las Vegas Raiders in 2024. Griffin spent time with the Raiders, Browns, and Packers, being released by Green Bay in May of 2025. He was also drafted by the San Antonio Brahmas in 2024 during the UFL College Draft.
Secondary:
Luc Barcoo: An NFL and Spring League veteran, Barcoo was an All-XFL CB in 2023 for the San Antonio Brahmas. Barcoo has spent time with the Steelers, Cowboys, and Lions since 2023, most recently being released by Detroit at the end of training camp in 2025.
Nate Brooks: Brooks was an All-UFL selection in 2024 with the Michigan Panthers. He won a championship with the Birmingham Stallions in 2023, while most recently spending 2024 on the Bengals practice squad. He’s been with 12 professional teams since 2019.
Open Period:
Tariq Carpenter: Carpenter was a 2022 7th round pick to the Packers out of Georgia Tech. He adds experience to the Linebacker room, appearing in 17 NFL games. He appeared in 3 games in 2025 with the San Antonio Brahmas.
Kelly Akharaiyi: Akharaiyi was a UDFA in 2025 with the Cardinals and Bills. He totaled over 150 receptions and over 2,300 yards in college.
Taylor Morin: Morin spent six seasons at Wake Forest totaling over 225 receptions and almost 3,000 yards. He spent 2025 as a UDFA with the Philadelphia Eagles before his release at the end of training camp.
Dillon Johnson: Johnson is a Running Back out of Mississippi State and Washington who signed with the Titans as a UDFA in 2024. Johnson spent time with Tennessee and the Panthers before his release by Carolina in December 2024.
Jonathan Sutherland: Sutherland is a free safety out of Penn State who has spent time with three NFL teams since 2023. He most recently was with the Raiders before his release during OTAs.
Nevelle Clarke: Clarke will be in his 5th spring league season coming out of UCF in 2020. He spent two seasons with the New Orleans Breakers from 2022 to 2023, in addition to stints with the Steelers and Vikings. He spent the last two seasons with the Birmingham Stallions.
Ozzie Hutchinson: Hutchinson was most recently with the Baltimore Ravens during training camp for the 2025 season. He played college football at the University of Albany (FCS).
Luke Masterson: Masterson played his college ball at Wake Forest earning a spot on the Raiders roster as a UDFA. He’s started 10 NFL games in his career, totaling over 100 tackles in his pro career.
Specialist:
Matthew Hembrough: Hembrough came out of Oklahoma State in 2023, before an injury forced him on the Arizona Cardinals injured reserve. He was released in 2024, earning several workouts since then.
Ryan Sanborn: Sanborn has been a frequent flyer on the NFL’s workout cycle, most recently spending time with the Rams on their practice squad.
Tucker McCann: McCann returns to pro football after several workouts in the NFL cycle. He hasn’t been on an NFL roster since 2021 and is a St. Louis local.
Final Thoughts:
The Battlehawks roster now sits at 58 with Offensive Lineman Wyatt Bowles and Aiden Williams both signing deals with NFL teams. UFL teams were instructed to 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.
1 Comment
by Adam Simon
So if a player gets a futures deal does that mean no UFL season?