With the NFL season now complete and the offseason underway, Baltimore has one of the most extended lists of players who are getting another shot in the new eight-team UFL, which kicks off season kicks off on Saturday, March 30, 2024, with the battle of the 2023 champions: Arlington Renegades vs Birmingham Stallions.
A combination agreement (the “UFL”) is the premier spring football league that resulted from the merger of the XFL and USFL.
Russ Brandon, former President and CEO of the XFL, will lead the UFL as President and CEO. Former USFL President of Football Operations Daryl Johnston will lead football operations.
Founded in 2001, the XFL was a collaboration between NBC and WWF (WWE), spearheaded by Vince McMahon. After a hot start, poor ratings ultimately led to the league’s lasting just one season. The league returned in 2020, with McMahon again leading the reboot, but it had to close its doors again after COVID-19 shut things down after just five weeks.
The league filed for bankruptcy and was forced to sell.
A group headed by Dany Garcia, including Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, bought the league out of bankruptcy for $15 million, eyeing 2023 as its return season.
The UFL has eight teams in Arlington (TX), Birmingham (AL), Detroit (MI), Houston (TX), San Antonio (TX), Memphis (TN), St. Louis (MO), and Washington D.C.
With action to begin this weekend, we’re looking at 10 former Ravens on UFLrosters.
Slade Bolden WR --Birmingham Stallions
Bolden signed with the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent after the 2022 NFL draft.
Bolden was waived/injured, and placed on injured reserve before being released.
Deon Cain WR--Birmingham Stallions
Gary Jennings Jr WR --Birmingham Stallions
Jennings was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the fourth round (120th overall) of the 2019 NFL Draft. He was waived without appearing in a game.
Jennings was signed to the Ravens practice squad for a week during the 2020 NFL season before being released.
Zach Johnson OL --Birmingham Stallions
After going undrafted in the 2020 NFL Draft, Johnson was signed by the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent.
The Baltimore Ravens signed Johnson to their practice squad in 2022 from September to December.
Chris Orr LB--Birmingham Stallions
Orr has never played for the Ravens, but the former All-Big Ten Selection at Wisconsin is the younger brother of Ravens DC, Zach Orr.
Before the New Jersey Generals drafted Orr, he was the Wisconsin Director of Player Development.
Amari Rodgers WR --Birmingham Stallions
Rogers played college football at Clemson and was selected by the Green Bay Packers in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft. He has also played for the Houston Texans.
Rodgers is the son of Ravens QB coach Tee Martin.
Terrell Bonds CB --Birmingham Stallions
Bonds was a key figure in the secondary for the San Antonio Brahmas last season, making 14 tackles and returning 11 punts for 106 yards. He also played in the USFL in 2022 with the Pittsburgh Maulers and made 18 tackles and one interception. Bonds played in the NFL with the Baltimore Ravens and in the AAF with the Memphis Express.
Nate Brooks CB --Michigan Panthers
Devin Gray WR --Michigan Panthers
Nate McCrary RB --Michigan Panthers
Kai Nacua S --Michigan Panthers
Adrian Ealy --Arlington Renegades
Ealy signed with Baltimore after going undrafted in the 2021 NFL Draft; He was waived by the Ravens in the final round of preseason roster cuts on August 31, 2021, and re-signed to their practice squad the next day.
Jalan McClendon QB -- D.C. Defenders
