In the recent college draft for the United Football League (UFL), the eight participating teams made a strategic selection of talent from across the collegiate ranks, with a notable emphasis on offensive prospects.
Among the 80 selections made during the draft, only one player from an Alabama college was chosen. This pick came from the Houston Roughnecks, who selected Kam Stutts, a guard from Auburn University, with the 18th overall pick in the third round. Stutts, a seasoned player with three years of starting experience at Auburn, had previously earned recognition as a two-time All-State selection during his high school career at Brooks High School in Killen.
The draft commenced with the Memphis Showboats making a splash by choosing Jason Bean, a quarterback from the University of Kansas, as their top pick. This set the tone for a draft day filled with strategic moves and team-building decisions across the UFL.
Houston continued to bolster its roster by selecting Eyabi Okie, a defensive end from Charlotte, with the second overall pick. Okie, formerly known as Eyabi Anoma during his tenure at the University of Alabama, had shown promise early in his career by earning SEC All-Freshman team honors in 2018. After a complex collegiate journey that included time at Houston, UT Martin, Michigan, and finally Charlotte, Okie emerged as a versatile defensive prospect with significant potential.
Meanwhile, the Birmingham Stallions, the reigning champions from the 2023 UFL season, approached the draft with a focus on fortifying their offensive lineup. As the team with the final pick in each round due to their previous season’s success, the Stallions strategically selected four offensive tackles, starting with Frank Crum from Wyoming in the first round. They also added depth with two wide receivers, a quarterback, a running back, and a tight end. On the defensive side, Birmingham opted for Arkansas defensive end Trajan Jeffcoat in the sixth round to balance their draft strategy.
Notably, all ten players drafted by Birmingham were eligible for the NFL Draft held earlier in April but had gone undrafted. Many of these players subsequently signed with NFL teams as rookie free agents in May, underscoring the UFL’s role as a developmental league that provides opportunities for talented players to showcase their skills.
Currently, all ten drafted players from Birmingham have secured spots on NFL rosters as teams prepare to kick off their training camps. Frank Crum, the top pick for the Stallions, is set to join the Denver Broncos, while their quarterback selection, Sam Hartman from Notre Dame chosen in the ninth round, is slated to join the Washington Commanders.
The UFL draft serves as a critical platform for teams to strategically build their rosters with both established talent and promising prospects from collegiate football. As the league prepares for its upcoming season, the focus remains on nurturing talent, fostering competition, and providing opportunities for players to advance their careers in professional football.
