The Top-10 UFL Players Going Into the 2025 Season
Image via Instagram @uflbattlehawks
A top 10 list before the UFL season? This may be one of the least controversial articles that have come out of Altfootball.com. With that being said, as we do with every subject relating to Alt-Football, it was only a matter of time before the members of Alt Football Digest discussed who some of the more talented players coming into the 2025 UFL season, Pat Rifino has assembled his top-10 players to keep an eye on heading into UFL 2025 season 2.
10. Abram Smith: 2024- No Stats
2024: Cody Latimer
Smith should be primed for a shot of glory this season with a full year of rehab and additional assets in the D.C. Offense. Aided by Lynn Bowden, and a healthy offensive line that contains newly signed guard Mason Brooks, should allow Smith to pick up from his 2023 season that saw him earn an NFL contract.
9. Malik Fisher 2024- 33 TKLs, 7.0 Sacks, 8.0 TFLs
2024: Vontae Diggs
Fisher (who was an alumni academy allotment) has blossomed into one of the UFL’s most dominant pass rushers in 2024. The Villanova product showcased solid hand placement and bend that allowed him to wreck havoc on the edge. At age 26 Fisher has all the tools to improve and still be a force in this league.
8. Jontre Kirklin 2024- 56 Receptions 614 Rec Yards 3 TDs
2024: Frank Ginda
Despite an injury in 2023, Kirklin bounced back quickly to form in 2024 leading the league in receptions. The LSU Alum consistently when on the field provides value to his team despite playing with Six different QBs over the course of Two seasons. With NFL veteran Cody Latimer retiring, Kirklin will garner more attention not only from San Antonio QBs but opposing Defenses. A clear make or break year for Kirklin, look for him to rise to occasion in hopes of landing a consistent NFL gig.
7. Luis Perez 2024- 2,310 Passing Yds 18 TD 4 INT
2024: Sal Cannella
Despite his team’s record Perez arguably was the UFL’s 2nd best QB, in 2024. With over 7,000 yards and 50 plus TDs between the AAF, XFL, TSL, USFL, and UFL Perez has been not only one of the key figures in Alt-Football but also one of its better players. With the Renegades returning some key skill players Perez should once again be the king of spring in 2025.
6. Hakeem Butler 2024- 45 Receptions 652 Rec Yards 5 TDs
2024: Case Cookus
Butler has been a premier Wideout for the Battlehawks earning an Offensive Player of the Year honors this past season. Despite the transition from A.J. McCarron to a new signal caller in 2025, Butler still will demand plenty of attention in the St. Louis Offense and should be in line to make his 3rd straight All-League team.
5. Willie Harvey 2024- 79 TKLs, 4.0 Sacks, 9.0 TFLs
2024: Pita Taumoepenu
For the past Two seasons Harvey has been the Battlehawks more efficient defenders not only due to his on the field play, but his durability. Due to injuries to Mike Rose, and regression from Lakiem Williams, Harvey stepped up earning All-UFL honors in 2024. With another season under his belt in addition to some extra NFL attention Harvey remains one of the UFL’s top LBs for another season.
4. Kyvaha Tezino 2024- 62 TKLs, 0.5 Sacks, 2.0 TFLs
2024: Kyvaha Tezino
Tezino and Harvey project to possibly be 1A/1B for Linebackers in the UFL this season. With a second season in Birmingham’s system, Tezino should increase his production in 2025 getting back to his 2022/23 numbers. Regardless, a “down year” for Tezino is a borderline All-UFL season.
3. Jace Sternberger 2024- 25 Receptions 454 Rec Yards 4 TDs
2024: Jordan Ta’amu
Sternberger became spring football’s premiere Tight End after lobbying between Sage Surratt, Sal Cannella, and Cody Latimer in 2023. In 2024 Sternberger earned all-league honors despite the Stallions having inconsistent QB play at the beginning of the season. With 2023 USFL MVP Alex McGough returning to the Stallions look for Sternberger to put together another All-League season once more.
2. Breeland Speaks 2024- 31 TKLs, 9.5 Sacks, 13.0 TFLs
2024: Abram Smith
Shame on me for not putting Speaks on my 2024 list, but I sure as hell won’t miss out on that this year. Speaks has done nothing but produce since joining the Panthers in 2023. Speaks is clearly above the competition and will usually “pop” for several multi-sack games a season. Look for Speaks to continue wreaking havoc on Offensive Tackles this season.
1. Alex McGough 2024- No Stats
2024: A.J. McCarron
Despite his transition to WR in the NFL, McGough is back with the Stallions in 2025 and primed to be QB1 for the team. After a dominant 2023 USFL campaign, which led to him spending 2023 on the Packers PS (as a QB) McGough should be in line for another MVP-Esque season with Birmingham. The Stallions not only return several key pieces on offense but have continued to upgrade as well. For me it’s a no brainer to place McGough as QB1 and player 1 going into 2025.
With just under Two weeks left until opening kickoff we will see if these predictions hold weight going into the season. Moving forward the staff at Alt-Football Digest would love to know what your thoughts and if someone was missed. As always you can reach out to me via Twitter or in the comments to let me know what I got right and what I got wrong.
