By Brian Gertler
ST. LOUIS, Missouri (March 23, 2024) – Earlier today, the Battlehawks and the rest of the UFL teams announced their final roster cuts in preparation for the season debut on March 30. There were a couple of surprises, such as CB Mykael Wright being released early last week, and the cutting of returning center Dallas Warmack and defensive tackle Kevin Atkins, but most were to be expected.
To get you ready for the eagerly anticipated first game of the season in Detroit, here is a breakdown of each position on the Battlehawks roster:
QB: AJ McCarron, Brandon Silvers, Manny Wilkins
When rumors began surfacing that AJ McCarron would be returning to the Battlehawks, QB Nick Tiano was released from the roster. Soon after, former Houston Roughnecks starting QB Brandon Silvers was signed. A few days later, AJ McCarron was officially released from the Cincinnati Bengals and signed with the Battlehawks. McCarron brings a veteran presence, top passing talent, and is referred to as “another coach on staff” by coach Becht. With Manny Wilkins returning as a solid 3rd string backup, the St. Louis QB room is considered to have the best depth in the league.
RB: Wayne Gallman, Jacob Saylors, Mateo Durant
With the loss of Brian Hill and Kareem Walker from the 2023 squad and the early retirement of Max Borghi, the Battlehawks’ front office was in desperate need of talented backs. Jacob Saylors, an undrafted FA, is a former Cincinnati Bengal camp invitee who failed to secure a roster spot. Saylors had a great college career at East Tennessee and is our youngest running back. Some of you may recognize Wayne Gallman as the former backup to Saquon Barkley for the Giants. When Barkley dealt with injury issues, Gallman was an outstanding replacement on the team, racking up over 4.2 yards per carry and over 1,500 total yards for his NFL career. Mateo Durant is a familiar face who helped back up Brian Hill last year. All three running backs bring a unique background (success in the NFL, XFL, and college), and it will be interesting to see if a clear RB1 emerges in the coming weeks.
WR: Hakeem Butler, Darius Shepherd, Blake Jackson, Jamarcus Bradley, Jeff Thomas, Jerome Kapp, Marcell Ateman, (Jahcour Pearson on IR)
Two receivers were cut this week to make room for the seven-man room: Darion Chafin and Steven Mitchell Jr. Mitchell and Chafin were ultimately in competition with Jeff Thomas and Jerome Kapp, assuming that the rest of the corps were solidified due to them being seasoned veterans with elite talent. Jahcour Pearson remains on IR through the middle of March and will return to bolster an already extremely talented corps of WR.
TE: Kemari Averett, Jake Sutherland
Kemari Averett has been touted as one of coach Anthony Becht’s favorite players. Having already made several training camp highlight reels, Averett is opening up another offensive weapon for McCarron on an offense that rarely used tight ends in the passing game in 2023. Jake Sutherland returns as a consistent pass blocker and red zone target for McCarron.
OL: Abdul Beecham, Eric Magwood, Jaryd Jones-Smith, Juwan Bushell Beatty, Teton Saltes, Steven Gonzalez, Vadal Alexander, Dohnovan West, Mike Panasiuk
Dohnavan West has appeared to have won the backup center battle between himself and Dallas Warmack. With a poorly timed injury for Sage Doxtater, the rest of the offensive line camp invitees took advantage of the opportunity to showcase their skill sets. With six of nine OL members returning, the team will look to capitalize on an amazing 2023 season once again led by center Mike Panasiuk.
DL: Antwuan Jackson, Kobe Smith, TJ Pesefea, Austin Faoliu, Freedom Akinmoladun, Elorm Lumor
The defensive ends look relatively similar to the 2023 Battlehawks with the return of fan favorite Freedom Akinmoladun and Elorm Lumor, but the rest of the line is completely different after the cut of Kevin Atkins. Antwuan Jackson and Austin Faoliu both come to the Battlehawks from the defunct Seattle Sea Dragons, and both had short stints in NFL camps and practice squad rosters in-between their time in a spring league this past fall. While the Battlehawks typically utilized the linebacker position as an edge rusher, there should be no shortage of opportunities for this six-man room.
LB: Carson Wells, Callahan O’Reilly, Pita Taumoepenu, Lakiem Williams, Travis Feeney, Mike Rose, Willie Harvey Jr.
Coach Becht deemed the linebacker room to be the most competitive position at camp going into the 2024 season. Returners Carson Wells, Lakiem Williams, Travis Feeney, and Willie Harvey have solidified their spots on the roster with the exciting addition of XFL DPOY Pita Taumoepenu. With the return of our starters and the addition of young depth and an elite starter in Taumoepenu, it’s safe to say that the linebacking corps is much stronger than the previous year’s.
DB: Brandon Sebastian, Ben Deluca, Chris Payton-Jones, Dravon Askew-Henry, Kelyon Kennedy, Kameron Kelly, Lavert Hill, Qwynnterrio Cole, Tim Harris, Channing Stribling
With the exception of Mykael Wright being cut and the addition of Channing Stribling at the beginning of the week, the DB room has been relatively stable since the last round of cuts. With the return of the talented Ben Deluca from injury, Tim Harris, Brandon Sebastian, and all-XFL CB Lavert Hill, the Battlehawks needed to expand their roster substantially in this position room. Qwynnterrio Cole is probably the biggest addition to the roster due to his absurd amount of tackles last year at his position (48) and his three notable interceptions.
Specialists: K-Andre Szmyt, P-Sterling Hofrichter, LS-Alex Matheson
With these three specialists already locked in their positions since the last round of cuts, it was no surprise to see their names on the final roster. Both punter Sterling Hofrichter and long snapper Alex Matheson are returners to the squad, while kicker Andre Szmyt won the training camp battle against former Iowa State kicker Andrew Mevis.