Five players from Alabama high schools and colleges lost their spots in the United Football League on Thursday, when the eight teams reduced their training-camp rosters to the regular-season limit of 50.
The players with Alabama football roots waived on Thursday included:
- Linebacker Ben Davis (Gordo High School, Alabama) by the Houston Roughnecks.
- Guard D.J. Fluker (Foley High School, Alabama) by the DC Defenders.
- Running back DeWayne McBride (UAB) by the Memphis Showboats.
- Wide receiver Rory Starkey (Samford) by the Houston Roughnecks.
- Offensive tackle John Yarbrough (Homewood High School) by the DC Defenders.
Outside linebacker De’Gabriel Floyd (Alabama A&M) will open the season on injured reserve with the Michigan Panthers.
The UFL’s second season kicks off next week. The Week 1 games include:
- St. Louis Battlehawks at Houston Roughnecks, 7 p.m. March 28 (FOX)
- San Antonio Brahmas at Arlington Renegades, 3 p.m. March 29 (FOX)
- Michigan Panthers at Memphis Showboats, 11 a.m. March 30 (ESPN)
- Birmingham Stallions at DC Defenders, 2 p.m. March 30 (ESPN)
The players from Alabama high schools and colleges remaining on UFL rosters as the league prepares for its second season include:
Arlington Renegades
- Tight end Sal Cannella, Auburn
- Defensive lineman DaVonte Lambert, Auburn
Birmingham Stallions
- Guard Deonte Brown, Austin High School (Decatur), Alabama
- Cornerback Shyheim Carter, Alabama
- Defensive end D.J. Coleman, Jacksonville State
- Guard Lachavious Simmons, Selma High School
- Wide receiver Austin Watkins, UAB
- Wide receiver Marlon Williams, McGill-Toolen Catholic High School (Mobile)
DC Defenders
- Tight end Trae Barry, Spanish Fort High School, Jacksonville State
- Guard Gunner Britton, Auburn
- Offensive lineman Tykeem Doss, Aliceville High School
Houston Roughnecks
- Middle linebacker Christopher Allen, Alabama
- Defensive tackle Shakel Brown, Troy
- Offensive tackle Cam Carter, Minor High School
- Cornerback Keenan Isaac, Midfield High School, Alabama State
- Center Avery Jones, Auburn
- Punter Mike Rivers, Troy
Memphis Showboats
- Wide receiver Dee Anderson, Alabama A&M
- Cornerback Eric Garror, McGill-Toolen Catholic High School
- Wide receiver Eli Stove, Auburn
- Tight end Jay Jay Wilson, Auburn
Michigan Panthers
- Kicker Austin Jones, Alabama
- Defensive tackle Garrett Marino, UAB
San Antonio Brahmas
- Wide receiver Kawaan Baker, South Alabama
- Running back La’Damian Webb, Beauregard High School, South Alabama
St. Louis Battlehawks
Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on X at @AMarkG1.