ARLINGTON, TX – January 13, 2026 – The United Football League conducted Day One of the 2026 UFL Draft on Tuesday at UFL Headquarters, and it didn’t take long for the league to feel the shakeup. Familiar connections resurfaced, new head coaches made early statements, and contenders wasted no time reinforcing what already works.
Birmingham Stallions: McCarron Makes His Presence Felt
First-year Birmingham Stallions head coach AJ McCarron wasted no time leaning on familiarity. The former St. Louis Battlehawks quarterback (2023–24) brought over one of his former teammates, selecting offensive lineman Steven Gonzalez in the Offensive Line round.
Gonzalez, an All-UFL selection last season and All-XFL honoree in 2023, reunites with McCarron after anchoring the Battlehawks’ line during their strongest years. It was a tone-setting pick from a rookie head coach who clearly knows what he values up front.
this reunion >#UFLDraft pic.twitter.com/KlSNzh07yU
— Birmingham Stallions (@UFLStallions) January 13, 2026
McCarron continued to make waves in the Offensive Skills round by selecting Daewood Davis, who caught five touchdowns in 2024 and still brings explosive upside. After Day One, McCarron told us he feels confident in the direction of his roster heading into the rest of the draft.
Columbus: Ted Ginn Jr. Starts Where He Knows Best
In Columbus, Ted Ginn Jr. kicked off his head coaching debut by addressing the wide receiver position, no surprise given his background. Ginn selected Keke Chism in the first round of the Offensive Skills round. Chism hauled in four touchdowns last season and now owns seven across his spring football career.
Ginn Jr. also added power to the backfield with ZaQuandre White, who scored four touchdowns last year. Both Chism and White come over from the Houston Roughnecks, giving Columbus immediate familiarity and production on offense.
Dallas: Nueheisel Builds Protection and Defense
Rick Neuheisel made a strong first impression in Dallas by selecting Chim Okorafor with his opening pick. The former Michigan Panthers tackle enters his third year in the UFL after playing a full season in 2025 and will now be tasked with protecting “The Spring King” Luis Perez, along with Austin Reed, under center.
Defensively, Neuheisel added impact at every level. Up front, Dallas landed former Ohio State Buckeye Antwuan Jackson Jr., who previously played for the Memphis Showboats and enters his fourth spring season. In the secondary, Qwynnterrio Cole adds more than depth, he brings consistency, having recorded at least 48 tackles in each of the last three spring seasons.
DC Defenders: Running It Back
The defending UFL champions didn’t overthink Day One. After retaining their entire quarterback room, head coach Shannon Harris focused on bringing back the core that delivered a championship in 2025.
That list includes Abram Smith, Jaylon Antonio, Ben Bresnahan, Devonnsha Maxwell, and Dennis Johnson, keeping continuity on both sides of the ball. Already boasting a star-studded offense led by 2025 Championship MVP Jordan Ta’amu, Harris added proven defensive playmakers in Kai Nacua (All-UFL) and Leon O’Neal (All-UFL). Early returns suggest the Defenders are built to defend their crown in 2026.
St. Louis Battlehawks: Proehl Reinforces the Trenches
With a new voice at the helm for the first time in four years, first-year head coach Ricky Proehl focused heavily on the defensive front. Already featuring UFL Defensive Player of the Year Pita Taumoepenu and Travis Feeney, Proehl retained Mike Rose and added serious reinforcements.
St. Louis brought in Carlos Davis (All-UFL), Jordan Williams (All-XFL), and additional defensive talent to fortify the front. Offensively, Proehl kept much of his wide receiver room intact, retaining Blake Jackson and Gary Jennings Jr.
After two straight first-place finishes, Proehl’s pursuit of a championship-caliber roster continues heading into Day Two.
Louisville Kings: Chris Redman Loads Up
The Louisville Kings and head coach Chris Redman had what can only be described as a king-size Day One. With a quarterback room featuring Jason Bean and Chandler Rogers, Louisville made sure weapons wouldn’t be an issue.
Alongside Kwamie Lassiter and JaVonta Payton, Redman added Isaiah Winstead to the receiving corps and Kalen Ballage to the backfield. Winstead played all 10 games for the Arlington Renegades last season (and seven the year prior), bringing valuable spring experience. Ballage, who carries NFL experience with the Dolphins, Jets, Chargers, and Steelers, ran for 306 yards and two touchdowns in just six games in 2025. Louisville’s offense is already taking shape and Redman isn’t done yet.
Orlando Storm: Becht Keeps Familiar Faces, Adds a Proven Winner
Although Anthony Becht swapped Battlehawks blue for Storm orange, much of his personnel followed. Becht drafted several players from his 2025 St. Louis roster, including Teton Saltes, Isaiah Mack, Jerome Kapp, Sam Wiglusz, Nate Meadors, and Micah Abraham.
The biggest move, however, came in the Offensive Skills round with the selection of Chris Rowland. Rowland has caught three touchdowns in each of the last two seasons and won a UFL championship with the Defenders. It’s a major addition for one of the league’s most consistent producers. Becht described his as one of the most explosive offensive players in the league.
The spark we needed ⚡️
— Orlando Storm (@UFLStorm) January 14, 2026
C️hris Rowland is ours.#UFLDraft pic.twitter.com/TR4DyuGgOY
Houston Gamblers: Sumlin Reunites With a Familiar Face
Legendary head coach Kevin Sumlin added a personal storyline in Houston, drafting defensive lineman Kyon Barrs, whom he originally recruited to Arizona in 2019. The reunion brought visible excitement from both sides.
Let's get to work 🤝
— Houston Gamblers (@UFLGamblers) January 13, 2026
Welcome DL Kyon Barrs to the Gamblers! pic.twitter.com/dqSaRwXa1d
Never one to shy away from offense, Sumlin also added Nate McCrary and Braylon Sanders. McCrary rushed for nearly 400 yards and two touchdowns with Michigan in 2025, while Sanders brings championship pedigree after winning the UFL title with DC and scoring three touchdowns last season.
The 2026 UFL Draft continues tomorrow with the Free Agents Draft, featuring 2025 and 2026 NFL draft-eligible players, recent NFL training camp participants, UFL Showcase attendees, and additional free agents. For continued coverage and updates, visit TheUFL.com and follow the league across all UFL social platforms.