With the announcement of the UFL “blowing up” the rosters for the 2026 essentially the league will be in a blank slate when it comes to their teams going into the third year of play. With the implementation of the Columbus Aviators, Orlando Storm, and Louisville Kings the UFL’s newest owner opted to give the league an “even playing field” allowing for teams to bring in a fresh slate of players.
With Anthony Becht now leading the charge in Orlando, the Battlehawks are currently awaiting who will be at the helm come the 2026 season. While the Battlehawks may have a new look and new coaching staff, below are ten players that St. Louis should retain heading into the new era of the UFL.
Travis Feeney
Feeney would be going into his 4th year with the Battlehawks and his sixth year in spring football. He’s been with Anthony Becht since 2019 and in addition to his play on the field has been extremely valuable as an ambassador for the league as well. Feeney has continued to remain extremely involved most recently raising money for St. Louis’ United Way about two months ago. Feeney’s dedication to St. Louis makes him a local hero to the community and mainstay for the Battlehawks.
Jake Sutherland
Like Feeney, Sutherland has been extremely loyal to the Battlehawks brand doing great work on the field and off it. Sutherland has been with the team since 2023, in addition with spending time with the Atlanta Legends (2019 AAF), and New York Guardians (2020 XFL). His leadership, tenacity, and familiarity with the Battlehawks brand could ease the transition of a league that’s in flux.
Rodrigo Blankenship
It’s extremely surprising that Blankenship remains unsigned by an NFL team however with one more week left in the NFL he could be on track for an Andre Szmyt like emergence. Blankenship was the UFL’s best kicker in 2025 however has been passed over by Lucas Havrisik, and Harrison Mevis. Blankenship bring s name notoriety, and above average football play to whatever team he’s on, so it would be extremely advantageous for St. Louis to keep around for another season.
Kevon Latulas
With Jacob Saylors nestled in Detroit on their active roster, and Jarveon Howard coming off an injury the Missouri State alum who has ties to the local area may finally garner his first opportunity to shine going into his third season with the team. Latulas like Sutherland and Feeney has been extremely active in off the field activities for the Battlehawks and could be a great ambassador for St. Louis if given the chance to remain with the team.
Hakeem Butler
Butler has been one of the UFL’s most dynamic players since joining the Battlehawks in 2023 through the supplemental draft. Butler who is also an Iowa State alum would be allocated to St. Louis based on the current UFL parameters. While it’s unknown who the Battlehawks will be rostering at Quarterback in 2026, whoever it is would have an automatic weapon in Butler if he chooses to return for 2026.
Steven Gonzalez
Gonzalez is a two-time All-League lineman for the Battlehawks since joining the team in 2023. With Gonzalez going into his age 28 season, he should still garner plenty of interest from UFL teams in the 2026 season. Gonzalez being a Penn State alum, he may garner the eye of the D.C. Defenders who are without Liam Fornadel to the Jets. Gonzalez has been a consistent figure in St. Louis and it’d be foolish to let him go as the league struggles with their idenity going into 2026.
Blake Jackson
Jackson emerged in 2025 for the Battlehawks filling in for Darrius Shepherd who retired prior to the season. Jackson has local ties playing for the FCS college Southeast Missouri State University (SEMO) in college. In addition to his ties to the state, like so many on this list Jackson has done working with the local St. Louis brand Hi-Pointe, the Winery, and helping organize a football camp in the local area.
Mike Rose
Like Butler, Rose has created a nice niche for himself and could remain with the Battlehawks due to the allocation process. Rose has been one of the UFL’s best linebackers, and one of the Battlehawks highest graded defenders throughout his time with St. Louis. Still relatively young at 25 years old, the Battlehawks could keep Rose around for his 4th season with the team bringing a familiar face back to the Dome during the UFL transition.
4 Comments
by Frank Dux
What if the new coaching staff that UFL HQ has in mind decides to go in a different direction? Maybe those players mentioned go to Orlando too…
by Patrick Rifino
I believe Coach Becht will do his best to keep together his “guys”
by Russell
This league is doomed and I’m rooting for it. I know Repole is a billionaire so he must be doing something right but if he lets guys like Skip Holtz leave and Becht change franchises, that’s two brilliant minds moving along. These guys were major successes. I wish the league luck because I love to watch football. Where’s the Jersey franchise?
by Gary Winter
This is what happens when marketing people are making football decisions. Sadly, doomed seems appropriate.