A fresh face is joining an NFL franchise during the regular season with Battlehawks Defensive Back Nick Whiteside signing with the Detroit Lions. The Lions who are one of the most UFL friendly teams in the NFL are currently dealing with injuries in the secondary, with D.J. Reed now headed to injured reserve.
Whiteside spent training camp with the Lions, with many thinking he was a candidate to make their active roster at one point. He now joins UFL teammate Jacob Saylors and college teammate Trevor Nowaske as he returns to the NFL. Whiteside joined the Battlehawks after spending 2023, and training camp of 2024 with the Commanders. He signed with the UFL in December of 2024 appearing in 10 games, with 4 starts recording 24 tackles for St. Louis. Whiteside now has an opportunity to “stick” in the NFL with Detroit needing reinforcements in the secondary. He’ll have the potential to earn approx. $182,000 during the remainder of the NFL season supplementing his UFL salary.
Whiteside was one of seven Battlehawks to earn an NFL opportunity this signing cycle, with Saylors and Kyler Baugh currently still rostered. Overall, the UFL saw 60 players earn NFL opportunities with 19 so far earning a paycheck during the 2025 season (so far). Currently the 2025 UFL class is on pace to earn about 5.4 million this season, with spring football alums from the UFL, USFL, AAF, & XFL, earning almost $54 million total this year.
Other UFL Notes:
RB D’Ernest Johnson (AAF) was released by the Ravens and signed with Cardinals on their practice squad. OL Michael Dunn (AAF & XFL) signed with the Chargers, after spending 2025 training camp with the 49ers. DL Jacob Sykes (UFL Brahmas) visited the Eagles, Keenan Isaac (UFL Roughnecks) worked out for the Ravens,