In May I took a look at 10 players at NFL Rookie Mini-Camps that deserve a UFL opportunity. With UFL signings beginning, and teams continuing to re-tool their roster I felt it was appropriate to take a look at which 2025 rookies are available to be signed.
DL Joey Slackman University of Florida
Slackman transferred from the UPenn in 2023, finishing his career with the Gators. Injuries hampered Slackman’s 2024 Senior season however he did still receive interest from the Tampa Bay Bucs during their RMC. Slackman has been working out as an offensive lineman and could make a similar transition like Mike Panasiuk of the Battlehawks did in an effort to increase his probability of having an NFL opportunity.
QB Hudson Card Purdue University
Card has had some highs and lows in his college career, however, still managed to put together respectable numbers when it was all set and done. Card possesses a decent amount of athletic ability to give a UFL team a valuable option in as a QB3. With the possibility of QB turnover, a team like the Roughnecks, Renegades, or Defenders could utilize his services if in need of a change of pace option down the stretch.
RB Tyler Echeverry Mount Union
Division-III stars are always fun to watch go through the pre-draft process. Echeverry was an absolute stud at Mount Union recording over 2000 yards and 35 touchdowns total in his senior year. The Mount Union alum earned a workout with the Bucs this cycle and could be a versatile small school gem for a team like the Showboats moving forward.
WR Dino Tomlin Boston College
Legacy connections are always fun in spring football and Dino Tomlin is no exception. The son of Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin, Dino put together a respectable career at Boston College earn some interest from NFL teams. Spring Football has always benefitted from legacy signings like Thad Moss, Vinny Papale, and Josh Pederson always adding extra eyes to the league. It’s unknown if Dino could be a star in the UFL, but maybe the Horton family convinces Jim Monos to bring Tomlin in, and a few Showboats players end up in Black & Yellow.
TE Graham Walker Rice University
The curious case of Graham Walker. Walker is actually the estranged brother of NFL-MVP Patrick Mahomes who transferred to Rice from the Ivy League. Walker transitioned to Tight End his final year putting together a solid season at the FBS-Level. Walker worked out for the Chiefs during Rookie Mini Camp and remains unsigned.
OL Gabe Clark University of Central Missouri
Clark is one of my favorite players eligible for the 2025 UFL Draft. A poor man’s Dominick Puni, Clark received interest from the Broncos and Chiefs after his career at Central Missouri. Clark’s footwork may not be good enough to be a Tackle at the NFL, but his 6-6 frame could make him a mauling guard at the next level. Clark could be an option for an aging Battlehawks Offensive Line, or an upgrade in Birmingham in the interior.
LB Matt Hudson University of Memphis
I’m always big on the local connections to schools in UFL markets which it appears the Showboats tried to push with Brady White in 2023. However, with Matt Hudson the results may be a bit more advantageous. Hudson is another Ivy-League transfer on this list. Hudson is a solid run stopping linebacker who adds depth, versatility, and possesses a high motor. Hudson could upgrade several linebacking corps in the UFL, like an aging Renengades corps, or staying “home” in Memphis.
WR Noah Coyne Case Western Reserve
Coyne owns a good frame at 6’4/225 and plays a bit like former San Antonio Brahmas WR Landen Akers. In 35 games at the Division-III level Coyne accounted for 2465 yards, and 29 TDs. Coyne would later earn an opportunity with the Giants at Rookie Mini-Camp, however, was not signed. While Coyne does possess several of the physical traits needed to succeed at the next level, his speed (4.7 40 at Kent State Pro Day), could be an issue. a transition to Tight End may be needed for him to continue his football journey.
TE Tyler Fromm Georgia Southern
Fromm started his career at Auburn mostly as a reserve Tight End before spending his final year of eligibility at Georgia Southern. While he didn’t wow by any means Fromm provides solid production that gives a UFL team a Tyler Conklin like option. Fromm has enough size and experience that could compliment a team like the Arlington Renegades who have seen Seth Green and Sal Cannella earn NFL contracts. Fromm remains a free agent after workouts with the Vikings and Giants.
DL Matt Jaworski Fordham
Fordham alums have made their way to spring football the past several years, with Kevin Anderson (QB Arlington Renegades) and Ryan Greenhagen (LB Philadelphia Stars) both having stints in various leagues. Jaworski is no exception and dominated the Patriot League since coming into his own as starter. Various small school Defensive Lineman have found success in the UFL like Malik Fisher, and Dondrea Tillman both of which have comparable skillsets to Jaworski. Look for maybe St. Louis to take a look at the Fordham alum, as the team has invested draft picks in smaller school defensive players like Callahan O’Reilly, Eric Black, Johnny Buchanan, Justin Ragin, and Matthew Jester in the past.
6 Comments
by Adam Simon
I again like all of those players – I have made a TOP 11 at each position for the UFL Draft. Again these players are not currently on an NFL Roster (as far as I know) – list would be totally different once cuts are made before the UFL Draft.
Quarterbacks
1. Will Rogers – Washington
2. Hudson Card – Purdue
3. Donovan Smith – Houston
4. Paxton DeLaurent – SEMO
5. Matthew Downing – Elon
6. Jameson Wang – Cornell – (Jersey Sales)
7. Spencer Petras – Utah St.
8. Zach Zebrowski – Central Missouri
9. Cole Snyder – Eastern Michigan
10. Brett Gabbert – Miami (OH)
11. Connor Watkins – Villanova
Bonus (Reaches)
DIII – Destin Chance -Illinois College
NAIA – Lee Kirkland – Pike (KY) – 6’6 265 threw for 11TDS in a game
HBCU – Myles Crawley – Grambling
– Eric Phoenix – South Carolina State
OUTSIDE of League – Sam Castronova – Bethel – Albany Firebirds
by Patrick Rifino
Destin Chance is at Bethel now. One final year of eligibility.
Jameson Wang just signed with the ELF.
I like Smith as a 3 for the Roughnecks.
Would like to see DeLaurent with the Battlehawks or Brahmas.
by Adam Simon
Thanks for the Destin Chance update – will put him back in 2026 Pro Football Draft Process. Can you come back from the ELF to play in the UFL? Reid Sinnett you mentioned is obviously tearing it up in the EFL -he could compete for a sport in the UFL. Is a seasoned Reid Sinnett better than a raw (long throwing motion – but great athlete) Max Duggan??
by Patrick Rifino
Yes, they can sign a ELF player.
by 4th&long
Good research. These players are likely being looked by the league at some level, and may get into camp. Plenty of talent out there and they are looking for an opportunity if they can’t land in NFL.
by Ken Granito
To me, it’s seems it’s always good to find the diamond in the rough. That stated. In the NFL they are always trying to get a leg up on the competition as there is so much at stake. Trying to beat out 31 other teams and their owners there is something to that. The UFL has less concerns. The league is owned by one ownership team so they win regardless. There is really no need for oneupsmanship (Yes I am making my own word.) in the ownership group. The coaches and GMs try to build their teams, but they answer to league ownership. When you take into account that and only 8 teams there is really less reason to find those gems as opposed to the NFL trying to get a leg up on the salary cap while those gems fit nicely onto the team with regards to salary cap situtations. The interesting thing is that in the NFL, the UFL is largest form of hidden gems to be found, with the thinking that if it did not work out in the NFL the first or even second time around those players are likely done. The difference is the growth the player makes in the UFL due to either coaching, opportunity or self-realization. I honestly think most of the players that are not already on UFL teams this year are currently in the NFL. Remember each team has 90 players right now and only 66 will still be on a NFL team season’s start. That leaves 32 teams with 24 players on each or 768 players that will be looking for a home once the NFL season begins. As injuries occur and players don’t work out some of those players will be re-signed, but by the time the calendar reads December about 600 of those players will be eligible to sign in the UFL. That means that most say 30-35 unfilled roster places will be filled from the either UDFAs that didn’t make the NFL, NFL veterans falling out of the league. The amount of players coming from this pool changes the whole season. Players seeing the likes of what Bryce Perkins did will say, that could be me. Before my athleticism fades I better improve my craft and show what I can do in real game situations as I have been practicing for the year. I appreciate the effort and scouting. Lord knows I do this stuff myself often enough. That stated if the players didn’t make it out of mini-camp, the NFL feels there are 768 players that are better than those players that remain unsigned.