The most significant factor that determines whether or not a UFL is a contender or a pretender is its ability to generate explosive plays offensively. The Storm are no different: while Anthony Becht and Offensive Coordinator Kyle Caskey are working to build an offense around a strong running game and excellent pass protection, the X-factor is big-play potential. To provide that threat, each UFL team needs at least one receiver with elite speed that requires the defenses in the UFL to constantly defend themselves from giving up big plays.
A few weeks ago, the Storm added former Brahmas wide receiver Dee Anderson for that purpose, but speed is a resource that every UFL wants to stockpile. It is not surprising that the UFL has announced that the Storm has added former NFL wide receiver K.J. Hamler to add more speed to produce explosive plays.
Wide receiver K.J. Hamler comes to the UFL after spending four seasons in the NFL. In 2020, the Denver Broncos selected Hamler in the 2nd round of the NFL Draft. Hamler spent three seasons with the Broncos from 2020 to 2022, and he started strong; however, his usage began to drop off dramatically after his rookie season. While playing for the Broncos, Hamler appeared in 23 games, catching 42 passes for 620 yards and scoring 3 touchdowns. The Broncos released Hamler in 2022. In 2024, he was signed to the Buffalo Bills practice squad, and he remained there during the 2025 NFL season.
The 5’9″, 178-pound wide receiver K.J. Hamler played college football at Penn State University from 2017 until 2019. While playing for the Nittany Lions, Hamler spent most of his time playing as a slot receiver, and in 26 games, he caught 98 passes for 1,658 yards and scored 13 touchdowns. During his time at Penn State, Hamler also demonstrated the ability to play the outside receiver position.
Hamler is often criticized for his lack of size, but he has elite speed and excellent acceleration. That allows Hamler to create separation from defenders, neutralizing his lack of size. In addition, Hamler is outstanding at picking up yards after a catch and can turn a short pass into a big play. Where Hamler struggles is when stronger defenders jam him at the line, and he has a reputation for dropping passes about 16% of the time. Therefore, Hamler is best used as a home run threat, and if the Storm uses play-action shot plays on early downs, he will produce a big play more often than he does not.
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