Eight former Wolverines to take part in 2024 UFL season

Though the Michigan football team and the NFL are in their offseasons, plenty of former Wolverine standouts will be playing football in the coming weeks. As the new United Football League kicks off this weekend, eight former Michigan players are set to take part.

The UFL is debuting this season after the merger of the XFL and USFL last season, and will consist of eight teams. Each team will play 10 games, all airing on FOX, ABC, ESPN or FS1, then have a four-team playoff in June.

Take a look at which former Wolverines are set to take part, and the league’s schedule this season.

Arlington Renegades

The Renegades will feature former Michigan defensive back Brandon Rusnak (formerly Watson) as well as multi-year starting running back De’Veon Smith. Rusnak has played in 28 career NFL games, making 30 tackles, while Smith has appeared in five games with 27 rushing yards.

Birmingham Stallions

Former first-round draft pick Taco Charlton will play for the Stallions. In his professional career, Charlton has played in 60 career games, recording 95 tackles, 11.5 sacks, 12 tackles for loss and four forced fumbles.

Houston Roughnecks

Carlo Kemp, who’s still seeking to make his NFL debut, will play for the Roughnecks. Kemp was a captain for the Wolverines in the 2019 and 2020 seasons, and recording 83 tackles and 10.5 tackles for loss in his Michigan career.

San Antonio Brahmas

A Michigan offensive lineman who transferred to Minnesota as a graduate transfer Chuck Filiaga will play for the Brahmas. Filiaga played in 39 games for the Wolverines, making 10 starts before transferring to play for the Golden Gophers.

St. Louis Battlehawks

The Battlehawks will feature the most former Michigan players this season, with three former Wolverines. Former standout defensive backs Lavert Hill and Channing Stribling will man the secondary, while Juwann Bushell Beatty will play along the offensive line.

2024 UFL Schedule

Week 1 

Saturday, March 30

• Birmingham Stallions at Arlington Renegades, 1 p.m. (FOX)
• St. Louis Battlehawks at Michigan Panthers, 4 p.m. (FOX)

Sunday, March 31

• D.C. Defenders at San Antonio Brahmas, noon (ESPN)
• Memphis Showboats at Houston Roughnecks, 3 p.m. (ESPN)

Week 2 

Saturday, April 6

• San Antonio Brahmas at Memphis Showboats, noon (ESPN)
• Arlington Renegades at St. Louis Battlehawks, 8 p.m. (ABC)

Sunday, April 7

• Birmingham Stallions at Michigan Panthers, noon (ESPN)
• Houston Roughnecks at D.C. Defenders, 4 p.m. (FOX)

Week 3 

Saturday, April 13

• D.C. Defenders at Arlington Renegades, 1 p.m. (ESPN)
• Memphis Showboats at Birmingham Stallions, 7 p.m. (FOX)

Sunday, April 14

• Houston Roughnecks at Michigan Panthers, noon (ABC)
• St. Louis Battlehawks at San Antonio Brahmas, 3 p.m. (ABC)

Week 4