By Brady Ray
The Birmingham Stallions are charging with a thunderous rage into 2024 with real expectations upon them. After two championships in the only two seasons of the USFL, the reigning champs approach a new terrain; they enter the UFL. Just twenty three years ago, the city of Birmingham was dealing with the disappointing mess of the Birmingham Bolts in the XFL. The Bolts secured an abysmal two wins in 2001 and shortly after, the league folded. Team after team from various leagues have come and gone for the city, with even the college program eliminated for a short while. That sort of thing has never kept Birmingham from being persistent in their efforts because in 2022, Magic City was set to return to spring football in the form of the Stallions. The rest is history… but the future is now! The original Birmingham Stallions of the 1980s survived for all three seasons of the USFL and yielded no championships, although posting an impressive record throughout their existence. Now, with Holtz and his Stallions are entering their third year of existence, the expectation is nothing less than a three-peat. The state of Alabama has always taken football programs seriously, and spring football teams are no exception. Given the up and down history of football in Birmingham and the most recent success, this year’s Stallions undoubtedly wield the highest pressure of all, but this horse isn’t broken just yet.
A large majority of the Stallions are returning for the 2024 season, but that didn’t stop the team from picking up some quality players in the Dispersal Draft. For example, on offense CJ Marable returns at running back to the Stallions for his third year, but he won’t be alone in his efforts as the team drafted home state hero, Bo Scarborough, back to the team in the seventh round of the Super Draft. Together the two can be a deadly tandem and a nuisance for any defense the league, but without the legs of Alex McGough this year someone will need to step up and take the reins in order for the run game to be successful. Other offensive weapons like Victor Bolden Jr, Deon Cain, and Jace Sternberger all return, providing the Stallions with the needed artillery for an aerial assault.
The biggest question about the offense this year is undoubtedly at the quarterback position. Alex McGough, at the time, had yet to re-sign with the Packers. J’Mar Smith and Adrian Martinez were protected by the Stallions heading into 2024, but with the drafting of Jalen Morton, the thought of McGough returning has all but vanished. With that being said, Smith has the clearer upper hand in this position battle, but don’t be surprised to see Martinez or Morton making plays down the stretch this season. Smith possesses pocket passer qualities that the other two have yet to harness, yet one cannot deny the wheels they bring to the stable. Replicating last year’s success with McGough might be improbable but not impossible under the tutelage of Skip Holtz. As worrisome as it seems, the Stallions will be a productive offense, if not one of the most productive, this season.
On the defensive side of the ball, the treacherous Scooby “Shark Dawg” Wright returns as the clear leader of the pack. Elijah Sullivan and Damon Loyd were two players from last year that were protected, alongside free agents Travis Howard and Kyahva Tezino, the latter being the USFL DPOY runner-up. The Stallions didn’t stop there as they selected Chris Orr with the 4th pick of the draft, solidifying their linebacker core for the upcoming season. Jordan Thompson will man the defensive line with a host of new faces joining him. The secondary had a complete rehaul with many players going unprotected, but in return they come out far better. Names like Nevelle Clark and Channing Stribling have been added to the roster to bolster the corner position, while Jojo Tillery and TJ Carter return as safeties. Look for this defense to be much different, but much better, in the long run.
The Stallions will kick off their season with a Champion versus Champion game against the XFL’s Arlington Renegades. The Renegades were the most resilient of the rival spring league, securing the XFL Championship in 2023. Now, with a litany of new players at his disposal, Coach Stoops will look to prove they are up to par with the Stallions. He is one coach you can never truly count out of any game, even when it’s up against a two-time defending champ. The prospects for this game have it primed to be an instant classic in spring football history. Birmingham, come out and support the Stallions as they seek to make history! Whether you’re there at the game, here on the internet, or coaching from the couch; it’s time to giddy up!