2 UFL Teams That Will Overachieve in 2025
Image via X @XFLRenegades
With just over a month before the 2025 regular season starting, there are candidates for teams that could shock the spring football world and win it all.
Last season, it was the San Antonio Brahmas and the Michigan Panthers who made the playoffs after losing records in the 2023 XFL and USFL seasons. While the St. Louis Battlehawks also made the playoffs last year after not making the final four in 2023, the team was still 7-3 in the XFL.
Examining the eight teams this year, there were plenty of changes with new additions and fresh faces to add intrigue to the UFL season. Which teams could shock the UFL in 2025 by hoisting the championship trophy?
Arlington Renegades
The Renegades came off the gates slow to start last season with six straight losses before winning three of their last four to finish 3-7. Five of those seven losses for Arlington were decided by one possession which left the team with wiggle room to get to the postseason if one or two plays in each play went in their favor.
Quarterback Luis Perez was a big reason the team was competitive after leading the UFL in passing yards (2,307) and passing touchdowns (18) as he recently re-signed with the league. Their wide receivers are loaded with Tyler Vaughns, JaVonta Payton, Isaiah Winstead and Deontay Burnett leading the charge with tight end Sal Cannella so far not returning to the UFL.
Arlington will have to find a replacement for Jalen Redmond after his exit to the NFL, but Donald Payne is back as the veteran leader on defense. Watch for safety Joe Powell to contribute early and often after the Renegades signed him late last season.
This is the same team that won the XFL championship in 2023 so there’s no denying that head coach Bob Stoops knows what it takes to win titles. The Renegades could be a sleeper pick to at least crack into the playoffs.
Houston Roughnecks
Talk about a massive makeover. New Roughnecks general manager Will Lewis made sure to wreck the roster from 2024 after finishing the season with only one win against the Renegades. About half the roster is gone from last year’s team which was Lewis’ intention as he tries to build a similar roster to what he had when he was in the front office of the Brahmas in 2023.
The highlight of the offense is Justin Hall returning as well as Kirk Merritt after suffering a season-ending injury at the beginning of the season. Houston’s biggest dilemma is at quarterback as it currently will be Nolan Henderson, Jalen McClendon and Davius Richard battling it out in training camp.
Even with news that Chris Odom and the Roughnecks have mutually parted ways, the defense is shaping up to be better than last year’s unit. New defensive additions like Jack Koerner, Drew Lewis and Damon Arnette breaths new life into the defense. The team will lean on returning starters Glen Logan, J.T. Tyler and Markel Roby to give credibility to the unit.
This Houston team has the most upside to show improvement from last year and with teams like the Memphis Showboats and Michigan Panthers losing key players, the Roughnecks could surprise people with a meeting with the Birmingham Stallions in the USFL conference title game.
