The Birmingham Stallions, coming off a sterling 9-1 championship season in 2024 under the tutelage of skip Holtz, do face one compelling narrative entering the 2025 UFL season: Can the defending champions continue their dominance with former Ole Miss star Matt Corral taking over for MVP Adrian Martinez? And how big of a difference can these notable players make?

2024 Success By The Numbers

The dominance of the Stallions in 2024 was all-encompassing:

9-1 overall record (.900 winning percentage)
Perfect 5-0 home record at Protective Stadium
League-best +85 point differential (265 PF, 180 PA)
Undefeated 6-0 in conference play
League-leading total offense (347.5 YPG)
Top rushing attack (1,347 yards)
Second-ranked passing offense (2,128 yards)

Skip Holtz Development of Players

Skip Holtz has established himself as one of spring football’s premier talent developers, with seven of his former Stallions players reaching NFL rosters in 2023-24 alone. The latest success story is quarterback Adrian Martinez, who parlayed his MVP 2024 UFL season (1,749 yards, 15 TDs) into a contract with the New York Jets. This continues Holtz’s track record of quarterback development, having previously helped advance several signal-callers to the NFL throughout his coaching career.

His system’s effectiveness extends beyond quarterbacks, as evidenced by players like Deon Cain (Carolina Panthers) and Jonathan Garvin (San Francisco 49ers) making NFL rosters after developing under Holtz’s tutelage. His ability to identify and refine talent is particularly noteworthy given the UFL’s shorter season and limited practice time. Holtz’s coaching approach emphasizes fundamentals and system mastery, which translates well to the NFL level – a key reason why the Stallions have become a preferred destination for players looking to advance their careers.

Matt Corral: The New Face of Birmingham

The quarterback change could add some mystique to the Stallions in 2025. Matt Corral is a 2022 NFL third-round pick who comes to town with pretty solid credentials: (Carson Beck also has been talked about but he will most likely go to the NFL)

8,000+ passing yards at Ole Miss
57 college touchdowns
Led Ole Miss to a 10-2 record in his final season
NFL experience with Carolina, New England, and Minnesota
Entering his prime years at age 25
Past experience in Holtz’s system

Matt Corral Returns to Birmingham Stallions In Big UFL Re-Signing

Game-by-Game 2025 Predictions

at DC Defenders (March 30)

• – DC’s 4-6 record and 2-3 home mark in 2024
• *- Opening day energy
• Prediction: WIN – 1-0: Corral debuts successful.

at Michigan Panthers – April 4

• – Panthers went 7-3, with a 4-1 home mark
• – Short week
• Prediction: LOSS – 1-1 – Tough road atmosphere prevails.

vs. Arlington Renegades – April 11

• – Renegades improved to 3-7
• – Home opener
• Prediction: WIN – 2-1: home field advantage telling.

at Houston Roughnecks – April 19

• – Roughnecks went 1-9 overall, 0-5 at home.
• – Momentum meter rising
• Prediction: WIN (3-1) – Superior talent shows

vs. Memphis Showboats (April 25)

• Showboats went 2-8 (1-4 road)
• Home field advantage
  Prediction: WIN (4-1) – Complete team victory

vs. San Antonio Brahmas (May 4)

• Brahmas solid (7-3) in 2024
• Crucial conference implications
  Prediction: WIN (5-1) – Home streak continues

vs. Houston Roughnecks (May 11)

• Second meeting
• Houston’s conference struggles (0-6)
  Prediction: WIN (6-1) – Dominate struggling opponent

**at St. Louis Battlehawks (May 17)

• Battlehawks strong (7-3, 5-0 home)
• Dome atmosphere
  Prediction: LOSS (6-2) – Perfect home record stands

vs. Michigan Panthers (May 24)

• Panthers 4-2 in conference
• Late season implications
  Prediction: WIN (7-2) – Critical victory

at Memphis Showboats (June 1)

• Memphis 2-4 at home
• Championship mentality
  Prediction: WIN (8-2) – Strong finish

Keys to Championship Defense

1. Quarterback Transition

• Corral’s adaptation to starting role
• Maintaining offensive efficiency
• Building on college success

1. System Stability

• Proven leadership of Skip Holtz
• League-leading rushing attack
• Consistency on defense

1. Home Field Advantage

• Dominant performance at Protective Stadium
• Five crucial home games
• Solid fan support

1. Statistical Excellence

• Improvement upon a 347.5 YPG offense
• Positive turnover margin maintained
• Special Teams consistency: 81.8% FG

Championship Outlook

With an 8-2 projected record, there is a confidence level in the system of the Stallions, considering they are only at quarterback. A college pedigree like Corral and NFL experience with Holtz have them as leaders in the league. Their undefeated home record, conference dominance sets the base for another championship run.

Moving through Birmingham, the UFL in 2025 combines elite talent, proven coaching, and a championship culture into one team that has all the makings of a brutal spring football opponent. The Martinez-to-Corral transition could prove bumpy, but the overall excellence from the Stallions portends another title run.

Follow our coverage of UFL 2025 and Birmingham Stallions news, scores, and analysis all season long.