Bob Stoops Updates on Renegades Training Camp
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With over a week of training camp under their belts, the Arlington Renegades are looking to bounce back from their 3-7 record last season and get back to winning a league championship.
Renegades head coach Bob Stoops took time with the media on Wednesday to share some updates on how things have been going in training camp. Trying to forget about the past mishaps of the 2024 season, Stoops is confident in his team heading into the 2025 campaign.
“I believe we're a stronger, better team overall. So far, what I've seen in our practices to this point. I feel like we're better in the secondary overall. That's where I don't think we were performed well enough a year ago. I think same thing with our offensive line, I feel like we're a little bit better there. Then we have a lot of the same pieces back that have had success, Luis Perez and Tyler Vaughns at receiver, those, just for instance. Anyway, I'm hopeful with the guys that are returning and the new guys will be a stronger, better team.”
Stoops does have key players like Perez, Vaughns, Sal Cannella, and Donald Payne back to bring a veteran presence to the team that is needed. Last season, the Renegades were the top passing offense in the UFL, averaging 227.5 yards per game. They fell short on the defensive side of the ball as they were seventh in total defense with 315.5 yards allowed per game.
There are some fresh faces joining the team to hopefully help put the Renegades over the top. Stoops pointed out some new guys who stood out at camp.
“I really like Kalen Ballage, our running back, I really believe, has a chance to make some plays. Our kicker Lucas Havrisik is really special. The other day, he's out there and put a 60-yarder through the uprights and had room to spare. Ricky Lee, our left offensive tackle, really a special player. Another one, Chris Odom, defensive end, has really stood out in practice as well.”
Now with one full offseason under its belt, the UFL had time to work on marketing for its eight teams and move their headquarters to their own building in Arlington, Texas. Stoops shared his excitement for not only what’s new with the team at camp, but what’s new the UFL leadership team added.
“Yeah, I'm excited about it. These guys are really a joy to work with. Their maturity, they pick up football quickly. They've all played a lot of football and they're here because they love the game and competing. It makes it easy to coach them and fun to coach them. I also really feel our leadership from ownership to Russ Brandon to Darryl Johnston, the entire leadership group is, I think just yearly, you learn and you improve, and we've been doing that. It's really been a great easy camp, meaning we've got a brand new headquarters now for the UFL that we're all in the same building. It's really working well. Players are enjoying it, coaches are.”
Roster Updates
This week, the Renegades have made moves to add and subtract talent as they inch closer to cutdown day. On Monday, they signed former South Dakota guard Grant Smith to beef up the line.
Wednesday saw the most change as the wide receiver position had some moving pieces with Todd Simmons being released from the Renegades. Damon Sheehy-Guiseppi was placed on the injured reserve list. The replacement was Brandon Arconado, a key member of Arlington’s 2023 XFL championship run.
Other training camp News
On Wednesday, the Renegades and Birmingham Stallions participated in a joint practice. One highlight was Renegades wide receiver LuJuan Winningham winning a one-on-one battle at the goal line as he caught a touchdown pass from Perez.
This is the first of two joint practices the Renegades will have as they will also be working with the Houston Roughnecks. That will be an open practice for fans to come check out the team in person for the first time since their last home game back on May 25 against the St. Louis Battlehawks.
