19 former MAC players land on 2026 opening day UFL rosters

For those fans who truly love football, the sport never has a day off.

This weekend, the revamped UFL is set to take the field under the stewardship of new majority owner Michael Repole, with the dual aims of becoming a more intimate, fan-forward experience and a proving ground for hypothetical rule changes on the gridiron.

Under the previous administration, the UFL was more television and betting oriented, with an emphasis on graduating talent to the NFL. The shake-up, which included relocation and/or rebranding of certain franchises, hiring first-time head coaches and shifting to smaller stadia, are meant to separate the league from the NFL.

(And that's before even getting into changes in the ruleset, which includes a four-point field goal option, a ban on punting past mid-field and even overtime shootouts, to name just a few.)

The newly re-formed league is set to kick off this weekend, with two games each on Saturday and Sunday.

Amongst the fateful few who made it to the final rosters for seven of the eight teams in the league are 19 former MAC football stars. (The Louisville Kings, a new franchise, are the lone team with no MAC alums.)

We've listed them below by team alphabetical order to serve as a rooting interest guide. As of publication, depth charts for the Orlando Storm and Columbus Aviators have not been released. This article will be updated once they are published.

Birmingham Stallions

DL Izayah Green-May (Northern Illinois)

Green-May was a 12-game starter for the Huskies in his single season in DeKalb, finishing with 34 tackles, five tackles-for-loss, three sacks and two fumble recoveries– including a scoop-and-score– after his transfer in from Wisconsin. Spent the 2023 season with the USFL's Pittsburgh Maulers before returning to Wisconsin to serve in their player personnel office in 2024. Listed starter at defensive end in Week 1.

LB DaRon Gilbert (Northern Illinois)

Gilbert was a productive player at both his college stops, including one season at NIU where he played linebacker. In 13 games, collected 51 tackles, 2.5 TFLs and a pass defensed. As a safety at Lafayette, earned back-to-back all-Patriot League honors, with 137 tackles in essentially two-and-a-half seasons due to COVID-19. Signed as an undrafted free agent with the Detroit Lions in 2024, and was a reserve player with his hometown team through August of 2025. Listed as backup outside linebacker in Week 1.

LB Dyontae Johnson (Toledo)

Not to be confused with fellow former Rocket Diontae Johnson, Dyontae Johnson was a force at the linebacker spot for Toledo over four seasons, playing in all 57 contests he was eligible for. Finished his career with 273 tackles, 22.5 TFLs, 6.5 sacks, an interception, nine passes defensed, two forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries. Signed as an undrafted free agent with the New York Giants in 2023 and was a preseason standout, making the initial 53-man roster before being placed on injured reserve. Stayed on with the Giants until August 2025. Listed as backup inside linebacker in Week 1.

Columbus Aviators

TE Gunnar Oakes (Eastern Michigan)

Oakes was serviceable tight end in four years at EMU, where he was primarily utilized as a blocker. Finished career with 56 receptions for 621 yards and two touchdowns over 49 games. Drafted by UFL's Michigan Panthers in 2024, catching two passes for 29 yards. Spent 2025 preseason with the Detroit Lions.

CB DJ Miller Jr. (Kent State)

A former Iowa State Cyclone, Miller spent his final two seasons at Kent State. Picked up 107 total tackles, seven passes defensed and two fumble recoveries as a starter for KSU. At ISU, had 18 total tackles, four passes defensed, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. Signed as UDFA for the Kansas City Chiefs in 2024 before landing with UFL's Michigan Panthers. Had 29 tackles, two INTs and eight PBUs in 2025 for Michigan.

Dallas Renegades

HB Lorenzo Lingard (Akron)

Former vaunted four-star recruit who transferred to Akron for his final season of eligibility. Finished with 1,009 total yards (641 rushing, 338 receiving) and six total touchdowns (four rushing, two receiving) on 181 total touches (143 carries, 38 receptions) in 12 games for the Zips. Brief stops as a UDFA for the Jacksonville Jaguars and New York Giants before signing with UFL's Houston Roughnecks/Gamblers. Had 231 yards and two TDs rushing in 2025 for Houston. Listed as secondary halfback in Week 1.

SAF Ta'Rei Powell (UMass)

Powell was a key contributor for the Minutemen over four seasons of play. Finished career with 193 total tackles, 8.5 TFLs, a sack, two interceptions, seven passes defensed and a forced fumble. Named to College Football Network honorable mention all-FBS Independent team in 2024. Went undrafted in 2025. Listed as backup free safety in Week 1.

HB Ellis Merriweather (UMass)

A former JUCO product via Garden City [KS], Merriweather was a bellcow back in two full seasons of play. Finished with 1,148 yards and five touchdowns on 272 carries. Named to Phil Steel's all-FBS Independent second-team in junior and senior seasons. Signed as UDFA with the New Orleans Saints in 2023, landing on practice squad. Spent time on Green Bay's practice squad late 2023, staying on through 2024. Signed by UFL's Houston Roughnecks/Gamblers in 2025. Selected by UFL's Dallas Renegades in 2026 Dispersal Draft. Listed as starting halfback in Week 1.

DC Defenders

ILB Macklin Ayers (UMass)

Standout Ivy League transfer who spent last season of eligibility with UMass. Had 38 tackles, including two TFLs, in 12 games. At Dartmouth, Ayers accumulated 165 tackles, 4.5 TFLs, one sack, an interception and five pass deflections over four years. Earned Phil Steele all-Ivy League first-team honors in 2023. Went undrafted in 2025 and spent time at Cleveland Browns rookie mini-camp. Listed as backup linebacker in Week 1.

Houston Gamblers

WR Justin Hall (Ball State)

One of Ball State's all-time leading receivers, Hall has left an impact at the spring ball level. Finished Ball State career with 318 receptions for 3,385 yards and 18 touchdowns in four seasons. Left BSU as team's all-time catches and yards leader. Placed on the all-MAC postseason team every single season (first-team in 2019 and 2020, third-team in 2018, second-team in 2017.) Initially signed as UDFA with the Las Vegas Raiders in 2022 before signing with USFL's Houston Gamblers. Has caught 165 receptions for 1,618 yards and 10 touchdowns over three seasons with Houston between the USFL and UFL. Led league in receptions in 2024 and 2025. Listed as starting receiver in Week 1.

OL Jack Kramer (Bowling Green)

A versatile interior offensive lineman, Kramer played at Bowling Green for four seasons. Was a starter in every game available, with eight games at right guard, four games at left guard and 19 games at center. Named third-team all-MAC in junior campaign. Has spent time in the USFL and UFL between the New Orleans Breakers and Houston Roughnecks. Listed as starting center in Week 1.

SAF Nico Bolden (Kent State)

Bolden was a highly-productive safety in both stops in college, spending his final two seasons with Kent State after starting at New Mexico State. Finished with 188 total tackles, 3.5 TFLs, a sack, two interceptions, five passes defensed, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery. Named second-team all-MAC in 2022. Had 236 total tackles over his total career. Signed with the St. Louis BattleHawks in 2024 and was placed on active roster. Also saw time with UFL's Arlington Renegades in 2025. Listed as backup safety in Week 1.

DB Roman Parodie (Ohio)

Parodie was a crucial part of the Bobcats defensive backfield over the course of his career. Finished with 124 tackles, four TFLs, a sack, three interceptions, 28 PBUs, a forced fumble and four fumble recoveries in 51 starts. Signed a deal as a UDFA with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but opted not to sign a futures deal. Signed with UFL's Houston Gamblers in Jan. 2026. Listed as backup right-side corner in Week 1.

TE Armani Rogers (Ohio)

A former quarterback prospect who shared QB room with current NFL QB Kurtis Rourke. Finished with 398 passing yards and a passing score, while also picking up 666 rushing yards and nine TDs on 111 carries in 15 games at Ohio. Converted to tight end in Draft prep, signing as a UDFA with the Washington Commanders. Also saw stints with Philadelphia, Atlanta and Buffalo. Rogers looks to make pro debut after two ACL tears (2023, 2025.) Listed as starting tight end in Week 1.

OL Tedi Kushi (Western Michigan)

Kushi spent four years at FCS-level Long Island University before transferring to WMU for his final two years of eligibility. Started 24 of his 25 games as a Bronco, primarily at right tackle in 2023 and 2024. Named first-team all-NEC in 2022 at LIU. Listed as backup left tackle in Week 1.

Orlando Storm

WR Sam Wiglusz (Ohio)

Wiglusz was a classic "dropdown" transfer from Ohio State who made a name for himself at Ohio in two seasons of play. Finished career in Athens with 129 receptions for 1,537 yards and 14 touchdowns. 2023 was his highlight season, with team leads in receptions (73), yards (877) and receiving scores (11.) Signed as UDFA with the Los Angeles Rams in 2024, staying on the team's practice squad. Signed with UFL's St. Louis BattleHawks in 2025, but had no statistics.

St. Louis BattleHawks

DL Demone Harris (Buffalo)

Harris is one of the few MAC alums signed to UFL rosters with long-term NFL experience. Accumulated 107 tackles, 18 TFLs, 9.5 sacks, an interception, four passes defensed, five forced fumbles and a fumble recovery in three full seasons. Earned second-team all-MAC honors his junior season before declaring for the NFL Draft. Signed as UDFA in 2018 with Tampa Bay before stints with Kansas City, Houston, Atlanta and San Francisco. Won Super Bowl ring as reserve defensive end with Kansas City in 2020. Listed as backup right defensive end in Week 1.

WR James Bostic (Ohio)

Bostic was a transfer from Vanderbilt who spent his final two season withs Ohio. Finished with 26 receptions for 468 yards and a touchdown. One of the more athletically intriguing prospects in the MAC after declaring for the NFL Draft in 2023, was drafted by the XFL's St. Louis BattleHawks. Has recorded no pro statistics. Not listed on two-deep.

SAF AJ Thomas (Western Michigan)

A Detroit native, Thomas made his name with Western Michigan over five seasons. Finished with 221 tackles, 16 TFLs, three sacks, two interceptions (one pick-six), 16 passes defensed and two fumble recoveries. Signed as UDFA with the Chicago Bears in 2023, bouncing between the roster and practice squad. Signed with UFL's Birmingham Stallions in 2024 after stint on New England's practice squad in the offseason. Has 67 tackles, three TFLs and five interceptions in two UFL seasons. Named to All-UFL defense in 2024. Listed as starting safety in Week 1.

The UFL season kicks off on Friday, March 27th at 8 p.m. Eastern time when the Louisville Kings host the Birmingham Stallions.

Other games over the weekend include DC Defenders at St. Louis BattleHawks on Saturday at 12 p.m. Eastern time, Houston Gamblers at Dallas Renegades on Saturday at 4 p.m. Eastern time and the Columbus Aviators playing the Orlando Storm on Sunday evening at 8 p.m. Eastern time.