ARLINGTON, TX, September 13, 2024 – As the NFL’s 2024 season kicks into high gear, the United Football League (UFL) is celebrating a significant milestone. The spring football league has firmly established itself as a crucial talent pipeline for the NFL, with an impressive number of UFL players making their way onto NFL rosters.

UFL’s Impact by the Numbers

The UFL’s influence on the NFL landscape is evident in the statistics:

• 20 players from the UFL’s 2024 season are currently active in the NFL
• 2 players secured spots on 53-man rosters
• 15 players signed to NFL team practice squads
• 3 players on injured reserve
• Over 250 of the 400 UFL players (60%) were called to the NFL for workouts
• 78 individuals signed contracts to attend 30 NFL team training camps
• 87 total contracts signed, including multiple signings for some players

A Proven Path to the NFL

Daryl Johnston, UFL Executive Vice President of Football Operations, emphasized the league’s role in player development: “We knew that merging both leagues would create more talented rosters which in turn would create a more entertaining product on the field. This would provide our players the competitive platform needed to be seen by NFL teams.”

Johnston added, “Our league provides a non-traditional path that players can use to achieve their ultimate goal of playing in the NFL and the NFL is taking notice. We have proven over the last three years that Spring Football is a viable option for NFL teams to augment their rosters.”

NFL Recognizes UFL’s Value

The UFL’s success has not gone unnoticed by NFL executives. Troy Vincent, NFL Executive Vice President, stated, “The UFL has demonstrated to be a proven and effective product. It provides an opportunity to develop, showcase and evolve the talent and quality of players, coaches, administrators, trainers and officials at the highest level of professional football.”

Success Stories: From UFL to NFL Stardom

One of the most recent success stories is Jake Bates, former Michigan Panthers kicker, who made a spectacular NFL debut with the Detroit Lions. In the Lions’ 26-20 victory over the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday Night Football, Bates went 2-for-2 on field goal attempts, including a game-tying 32-yarder that forced overtime.

Bates’ journey to the NFL was paved by his impressive performance in the UFL, where he finished 17-of-22 on field goal attempts in the 2024 UFL season, including three successful kicks from 60+ yards.

NFL Teams Embrace UFL Talent

NFL teams are increasingly turning to the UFL as a valuable resource for talent acquisition. Will McClay, Dallas Cowboys Vice President of Player Personnel, noted, “The UFL gives us an opportunity to evaluate players in a professional setting at crucial times when teams need to fill roster holes that may not have been addressed in the draft and free agency.”

Minnesota Vikings General Manager, Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, added, “Growth opportunities afforded players by the UFL can absolutely lead to better competition on NFL rosters.”

Legacy Impact and Future Prospects

The impact of spring football extends beyond just the 2024 UFL season. Including players from the legacy USFL and XFL classes, a total of 42 players have been called to action for the 2024-25 NFL season. This brings the total number of spring football players on NFL rosters to an impressive 137 individuals.

UFL President and CEO Russ Brandon highlighted the collective effort behind this success: “It is a real credit to our athletes who created a culture of success since the day they arrived at training camp back in February. It also spotlights each of the individuals who are a part of the football infrastructure we built with our coaching, training, medical, equipment, video, performance science, operations and player personnel staffs.”

Looking Ahead

As the UFL prepares for its second season in 2025, the league continues to solidify its position as a crucial stepping stone for players aspiring to reach the NFL. With its hub in Arlington, TX, the UFL is poised to continue its role in shaping the future of professional football talent.

The success of the UFL in placing players in the NFL demonstrates the value of spring football and its potential to revolutionize player development in the sport. As the 2024 NFL season unfolds, fans will undoubtedly see the impact of UFL talent on the field, further cementing the league’s reputation as a vital part of the football ecosystem.