The United Football League (UFL) kicks off its inaugural campaign this weekend. The league, which is the result of the XFL–USFL merger, consists of eight franchises that begin play on Saturday.
Browsing through the UFL rosters is a process that reveals several familiar names and NFL hopefuls. The league will provide players with a golden opportunity to earn themselves another shot at cracking NFL rosters. We've identified five UFL players worth analyzing this weekend.
MATT CORRAL, QB, BIRMINGHAM STALLIONS
The No. 94 overall selection of the Carolina Panthers in the 2022 NFL Draft, it's rare that third-year quarterbacks that were top 100 picks have to go this route, but that's the situation Corral finds himself in. Corral was drafted by a Panthers organization that was being headed by Matt Rhule.
A season-ending Lisfranc injury cost Corral his entire rookie campaign. He was eventually claimed off waivers by the New England Patriots, but that opportunity also amounted to nothing. Still just 25, Corral will aim to play himself into an NFL audition this summer.
BREELAND SPEAKS, DE, MICHIGAN PANTHERS
Speaks reunites with the Michigan Panthers after playing for them throughout the 2023 USFL campaign. Speaks led the league in sacks with 9.0 quarterback takedowns. He parlayed that performance into a brief opportunity with the San Francisco 49ers.
The league has consistently viewed Speaks favorably since he was the 46th selection of the Kansas City Chiefs in 2018. If Speaks repeats his USFL league-leading efforts in the repurposed UFL, he'll likely compete for an NFL roster spot throughout training camp and the preseason in July and August.
TIYON EVANS, RB, HOUSTON ROUGHNECKS
Evans was undersized coming out of Louisville at 5-foot-9, but he ran with terrific leg-churning power at 225 pounds. Evans was invited to the NFL Combine ahead of the 2022 NFL Draft. He ran an acceptable 4.52 40 with an impressive 1.55 10-yard split. The powerful Evans also posted 20 bench press reps.
Evans averaged 6.3 yards per carry and scored six touchdowns for the 2022 Cardinals. Just 22, Evans possesses enough upside to earn an invite to NFL training camp. That process must begin with a standout showing for the Houston Roughnecks.
MARK GILBERT, CB, BIRMINGHAM STALLIONS
Gilbert was a ball-hawk at Duke who recorded 24 pass breakups and seven interceptions from 2016 to 2020. Those ball skills have followed Gilbert throughout his professional journey. The Fayetteville, North Carolina native led the USFL in interceptions with four during the 2023 campaign. Gilbert has spent time with several NFL teams, including the Miami Dolphins in 2023. If the 26-year-old Gilbert repeats that ball production, he should get another shot.
SAGE SURRATT, TE, MEMPHIS SHOWBOATS
Surratt possessed buzz entering the 2021 draft. Surratt recorded 1,000 yards and 11 touchdowns as a wide receiver at Wake Forest in 2019. He signed with the Lions as an undrafted free agent and eventually converted to tight end due to lacking the athleticism required to thrive at wideout. The Chargers later signed Surratt as a tight end. At 25, Surratt is young enough to earn another opportunity if he proves his position conversion has gone swimmingly.
