Spring football is a constantly shifting landscape. Season to season there will be player, coach, and even team changes; it’s to be expected. However, one team used its consistent player retention as one of its greatest strengths. The Birmingham Stallions have been able to build their spring football dynasty by developing players and keeping them in the system. But this year, things are different.

When Mike Repole joined UFL ownership his major goal was to shake things up, and he’s done this in a number of ways. New teams, new jerseys, and new rosters. The Stallions system of keeping a large core and making additions each season was cut off with the complete roster blow up of all teams. While each team was able to protect up to twelve players (and Birmingham did use all of their protections), the majority of the roster had to be drafted from scratch. The Birmingham Stallions had a very successful draft by all means, but there were multiple players who had been on the team for years but were drafted away in the offseason. So, how are the players reacting to this new roster shake up? Excited for the new opportunity. 

Kyahva Tezino, heading into his third year with the Stallions, isn’t letting the changes phase him: “I mean, the mindset is still the mindset. It’s obviously to win the championship and just be that leader that I’ve always been.” The defense, and especially the linebacker room where Tezino plays, has been immensely shaken up through the draft. The majority of the room are coming from other UFL teams or are in the league for the first time this season. 

“I feel like there’s more new guys than old guys versus last year so I think the biggest thing is just to kind of show those guys you know what the Stallion culture is about and…[show] what that winning aspect is. Because…a lot of people may not come from a winning program or a winning facility or a winning coach…our goal is to continuously just show them…this is what it is.” 

And while these may be new faces to the Stallions, it’s not as if they’re new to football. Jordan Thomas, another third year Stallion, is now the only tight end on the roster who has played in spring football before. When asked about this and the potential leadership role that he may step into, Thomas responded: “Yeah, I’m a vet, but we have a good group of guys in the room: Tyler [Davis] and my boy Juju Bean [Jude Wolfe]. We have a good group, and we’re all pros. So we understand what we need to do and how we need to get it done.” Spring football is all about getting under looked players new looks, and every new player knows the goal and the job to be done. 

Coming from the rookie perspective, there is no better opportunity for young players than to work alongside spring football’s finest on the Stallions. A perfect example is Jonathan Garibay, who has been deemed the Stallions starting kicker since Rodrigo Blankenship withdrew from the UFL, and is now getting a prime opportunity to immediately show off. And for him the opportunity is immediate, getting to join the specialist room with original Stallions Ryan Langan and Colby Wadman. “Oh man, those guys are great. I mean, first of all, they’re…vets at what they do. Ryan, you know, being a really good long snapper and same with Colby being a great punter. So I think they welcomed me with open arms and…I think with the specialist group, we’re all pretty chill.” 

Garibay also talks about the importance of having veterans to help, as the requirements for kickers aren’t just purely physical: “It’s a mental game that is along[side] the physical game but I think you know with us it’s really about just developing that chemistry…again it’s the timing with us, the battery operation all of that, but I mean you just get your reps in and you should be able to develop that after a couple of weeks so…I’m super thankful that they welcomed me here. “

From both the sides of the veterans and the rookies, there are no nerves about this new roster. The goal of the Stallions is the same as it’s ever been: win the championship. With a winning mindset and culture in mind, there’s nothing stopping this team from bringing Birmingham their fourth championship. 

The new look Birmingham Stallions will make their debut on March 27th as they take on the Louisville Kings to open up the UFL season. Fans will be able to see all the Stallions players, legends and new favorites, in-person on April 18th against the Orlando Storm for their first home game in Birmingham.