The start of the 2026 UFL season inches ever closer as today marked the first day of training camp for players. This day is also very important because it is where rosters get solidified, as UFL players aren’t ever confirmed, even if drafted, until they show up to training camp. With the Stallions entering a new era of coaches, jerseys, and roster, what should Stallions fans be looking for as training camp starts?
The Quarterback Battle
One of the biggest issues the Stallions faced last season was quarterback injuries. By the end of the season five different quarterbacks had to play, with multiple midseason signings to fill backup slots. As such, it’s good for fans to know who their quarterbacks will be.
First off, and most likely the Week 1 starter, is Stallions legend Matt Corral. Corral, the former Ole Miss starter, split starts with Adrian Martinez in the 2024 season en route to the inaugural UFL Championship. In the 2025 season he lost the starter role to Alex McGough, but was handed the keys when he went down to injury. In just three games Corral had 648 passing yards and four touchdowns before he unfortunately went down to injury. While he eventually reappeared in the playoff loss to the Michigan Panthers, his promising season was cut short by his injury. Hopefully this season finally allows Corral to get a full season to lead the team unimpeded by injuries.
Battling for the back up spot will be Michael Hiers and Taylor Elgersma. Hiers, the former Samford QB, is no stranger to Birmingham. In his two years there he threw for 6,600 yards and 54 touchdowns over 23 games. If he gets the chance to play, he’ll surely have the home crowd remembering his college career and rooting for his UFL success.
As for Taylor Elgersma, he actually isn’t at training camp yet. This is due to him throwing at the upcoming NFL combine to help evaluate upcoming players. Still, he has reported that he’ll be with the Stallions this season and show up when the combine is over. While he may have a disadvantage of less reps at camp, the Canadian quarterback was a First Team All-Canadian and threw for 4,011 yards and 34 touchdowns in his 2024 season at Laurier. After sitting on the Green Bay Packers practice squad this past season, he’ll be ready to play this season.
Best WR Room in the League
If there’s one thing the Stallions aren’t hurting for, it’s wide receivers. The Birmingham Stallions wide receiver room may be the most stacked that any spring football team has ever had. It starts with Deon Cain, a Stallions legend who is the franchise reception leader and earned the 2023 USFL Championship MVP. He’s joined by Marlon Williams, another longtime wide receiver who has been on the Stallions since their inception. This longtime Birmingham duo have always terrorized defenses, and now they’ll form the glue for the new receivers to stick to.
If the UFL held the draft all over again, there’s no way teams would let the Stallions get Marcus Simms, Daewood Davis, and Jaydon Mickens all on the same team. These are three of the greatest spring football wide receivers, each one being major offensive keys on their former teams, all now in the same jerseys. Marcus Simms and Jaydon Mickens both serve as elite wide receivers and kick return specialists. Daewood Davis also strengthens the hands team and red zone offense as he was top 6 in receptions and second in touchdown receptions.
4.22 40-yard dash. A record that still hasn’t been broken. Former first round pick John Ross still lives in NFL legend and now he’ll be speeding down Protective Field for the Stallions. He is easily one of AJ McCarron’s biggest gets and a game changer when he gets going. He’s the kind of receiver that levels up a team, and paired with everyone else? It may be game over for defenses around the league.
The Stallions also have incredible depth with Jabre Barber, Cam Echols-Luper, Justyn Ross, and Laviska Shenault Jr. These are players who have all kinds of experience and skill in college football, the CFL, the USFL, and the NFL. Any of these guys are capable of breaking out and showing off the skills that have got them here. If defenses bite too hard on the big name receivers, these players will punish teams for overlooking them.
The OG Stallions
One of the most fun things about spring football is the team legends that arise for team fans. But five years (and two leagues) into spring football, and only four original Birmingham Stallions remain from the inaugural 2022 season. Those are JoJo Tillery, Marlon Williams, Colby Wadman, and Ryan Langan. A defensive star and now veteran presence, JoJo Tillery is a beast on the field. Tackles, interceptions, pass breakups, and celebratory flips have always followed and will surely be seen again this season.
In the previously mentioned, absolutely stacked wide receiver room, Marlon Williams will make his name known. He led all Stallions receivers in postseason receiving yards in 2024, and he consistently reels in hundreds of yards each season.
As for the most underrated positions in football, punter and long snapper are way up there. It’s one of the biggest benefits the Stallions have that Colby Wadman and Ryan Langan have been teammates for so long. Wadman, an All-USFL punter, is a consistent safety net for the Stallions every year. Langan, also an All-USFL, has been there to help facilitate Wadman’s punts and has an incredible rhythm with him after five years.
New Team, Same Spring Legends
The Repole Era of the UFL came in explosively, namely with the blowing up of all team rosters. The UFL draft allowed teams to pick up unprotected players from other teams, and the Stallions picked well. There are the previously mentioned wide receivers such as Marcus Simms (Panthers/Roughnecks), Daewood Davis (Showboats), and Jaydon Mickens (Defenders), but they’ll also be joined on offense by elite running back Anthony McFarland (Brahmas). And protecting them in the trenches are Mason Brooks (Defenders), Noah Johnson (Panthers), and Noah Henderson (Showboats). The Stallions had many stellar linemen taken from them in the draft, but these selections show the team is reloading and ready.
On the defensive end, the Stallions look intense. Izayah Green-May (Showboats) personally accounted for 10 solo tackles, 12 assisted tackles, and two sacks. Next to him will be Kobe Jones (Brahmas) who had 12 solo tackles, 15 assisted tackles, and three sacks. Adding these two to cause pressure up front will guarantee quarterbacks have no time to think. And with free safety Lukas Denis (Battlehawks) who had 31 total tackles and cornerback Lance Boykin (Showboats) who had 27 total tackles and six pass breakups, the Stallions will be bringing pressure from everywhere.
Coach McCarron
The last major thing to look at in training camp is the story that has dominated the offseason, head coach AJ McCarron. In spite of the discourse of his qualifications, he has had an undeniably successful offseason. McCarron maintained an incredible amount of the Stallions talent that has made them a spring dynasty all while adding studs from other teams, the NCAA, and the NFL. His coordinators are also packed to the gills with experience, from the top college programs to Super Bowl champions, everyone surrounding McCarron has proven themselves capable on the field. Now, it falls to him. Training camp will be the perfect time to work out the kinks and start establishing a team identity. He knows about the challenge of inheriting the Stallions dynasty, but if his onfield game plan can match his offseason moves, the Stallions aren’t going anywhere.
Fans will get to see the new look Birmingham Stallions when they face off against the Louisville Kings to open the UFL season on March 27th. As for when Birmingham can welcome their team home, that’ll have to wait until April 18th when the Stallions take on the Orlando Storm in Protective Stadium.
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