Whereas the Pittsburgh Steelers gained’t play inside a stadium till the preseason returns in August, a number of former gamers have spent the spring thriving within the UFL. With the common season wrapping up as we speak, a handful of gamers on offense, protection, and particular groups made an affect over the previous ten weeks.
A number of operating backs had been starters or in committee approaches. Kalen Ballage averaged practically 11 rushes per recreation for the Arlington Renegades and a wholesome 4.7 yards per carry mark. He completed the yr with 306 yards and a pair of scores, highlighted by a 110-yard efficiency within the season opener towards San Antonio. Sadly, he suffered a shoulder damage in Week 9, lacking as we speak’s finale. Anthony McFarland spent one other spring within the UFL, carrying the ball simply 40 time however for an ultra-efficient 6.2-yards per carry for the San Antonio Brahmas.
Ballage’s final NFL common season look got here with the Steelers in 2021, carrying the ball 12 instances for 36-yards. The vast majority of his taking part in time got here on particular groups. A star at Arizona State who as soon as scored seven touchdowns in a single recreation, Ballage turns 30 this December. If there’s an opportunity to get again into the NFL, that is it. Hopefully, his shoulder damage doesn’t derail these hopes.
McFarland was chosen within the fourth spherical by the Steelers however by no means panned out and battled accidents.
Receivers to make their mark embrace Deon Cain, one of many stars of the spring for the Birmingham Stallions. Cain didn’t have excessive quantity with simply 27 receptions however averaged over 18-yards per reception and completed second within the league with six touchdowns. As of this writing, he’s taking part in by means of his common season finale towards the Memphis Showboats.
One-time preseason star Tyler Vaughns notched 41 catches for the Renegades, fourth-best coming into the ultimate day of the common season. Sunday, he caught three passes for twenty-four yards because the Renegades comfortably beat the Brahmas 23-6. And within the return recreation, former camp receiver Mathew Sexton had the league’s solely punt return landing of the season, an 83-yard rating towards the D.C. Defenders. Hakeem Butler has struggled to seek out NFL footing however continues to make performs within the feeder leagues, catching solely 13 passes however for a gaudy 300 yards with the St. Louis Battlehawks. He additionally scored 4 instances.
Of the 4, Cain is the one one to catch a move with Pittsburgh. Signed in 2019 when accidents racked up, he snagged 5 receptions for 72 yards. He appeared in two video games the next yr however didn’t register a reception.
As we famous final month, former beginning offensive sort out Zach Banner made his return to skilled soccer and began all year long. Now, we’ll see if he could make it again to the NFL. A reunion with the nonetheless tackle-needy Steelers may make sense.
Defensively, there’s been a number of notable performances. Security Jalen Elliott ranked top-15 throughout the league with 48 tackles and picked off a pair of passes. Former outdoors linebacker Jamir Jones picked up 3.5 sacks whereas former first-rounder Taco Charlton registered 2.5. Former seventh-round decide defensive sort out Carlos Davis had a pair. Security Kameron Kelly intercepted two passes for the Battlehawks.
All 4 spent some stage of standard season motion with the crew. Elliott appeared in a pair of video games after being a shock inclusion to the crew’s preliminary 53-man roster however did not file a sort out and was launched early within the season. Jones as soon as went from camp longshot to creating the 2021 roster and later gained a Tremendous Bowl with the Los Angeles Rams. Charlton was signed to assist substitute T.J. Watt in 2021 however recorded solely a half-sack throughout 11 video games. And Kelly appeared in 14 video games for the Steelers in 2019, intercepting one move.
There have been even particular groups notables. Kickers Matthew McCrane and B.T. Potter earned jobs whereas Brad Wing snagged one at punter. McCrane made 14-of-20 discipline targets for the Defenders whereas Potter hit 11-of-16 makes an attempt for the Michigan Panthers. Wing led the UFL in punting common at 48.2 yards.
McCrane made one Steelers’ look, filling in for Chris Boswell in a 2018 recreation towards the Cincinnati Bengals, making three kicks in a three-point win. Potter signed as an undrafted free agent in 2023 however did not make the crew. Wing had two stints punting for Pittsburgh in 2014 and once more in 2023, changing Pressley Harvin III for a pair of video games.
The UFL playoffs start subsequent weekend with the championship recreation held mid-June. All these former Steelers will attempt to latch on with an NFL crew for coaching camp.
