UFL Announces Reserve List Ahead Of Player Draft

The United Football League (UFL) today unveiled its Reserve List player selections as anticipation builds for the 2026 UFL Draft, set to take place January 13–14 at UFL Headquarters in Arlington, Texas.

“The Reserve List is designed to promote competitive balance across the league while giving teams clarity and flexibility as they prepare for the Draft,” said UFL President & CEO Russ Brandon.  “At the same time, these selections allow fans to continue cheering for players they already know, strengthening the connection between our teams and their communities.”

Each team was allowed to add up to 12 players–six on offense and six on defense–to its Reserve List to prevent exposure in the UFL Draft. Teams will retain the right of first refusal to sign players from their allocated colleges throughout the season.

Players who were not protected as reserves or through the regional allocation process are now available for pool selection by any team on Day One of the UFL Draft, which will be broken into six positional groups:

●      Offensive Linemen

●      Offensive Skill

●      Defensive Front Seven (Linebackers, Defensive Ends, Defensive Tackles)

●      Defensive Backs

●      Specialists

The second day of the UFL Draft will follow the same round format and focus on players who are not under contract with another football league:

●      2025 NFL draft-eligible players

●      2025 NFL training camp players

●      2026 NFL draft-eligible players

●      UFL Showcase attendees

●      Players who signed an LOI and did not finish the 2025 season on a UFL roster

●      Other free agents

UFL teams must 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.