Locals In The UFL: 2024 Week One Recap
Mar 31, 2024, 4:24 PM
Tomasi Laulile #48 of the Arlington Renegades runs with the ball after recovering a fumble during the second half against the Vegas Vipers at Choctaw Stadium on February 18, 2023 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images)
(Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – Multiple players with ties to the state of Utah participated in the opening weekend games of United Football League.
Local Players in the UFL: Week 1 Recap
RELATED STORIES
The UFL is a new spring professional football league created from a merger of the XFL and USFL in 2023.
Here is how the local players performed during the first week of the 2024 UFL season:
#LocalsInTheUFL
Former Utah Utes
Francis Bernard – Linebacker – D.C. Defenders (0-1)
The former Utah linebacker had three total tackles and two solo tackles in D.C.’s 27-12 loss to the San Antonio Brahmas on Sunday, March 31.
Next Game: vs. Houston Roughnecks on Sunday, April 7 at 2 p.m. (MT) on FOX
Onto the next… ⏳ pic.twitter.com/2xkCDYRzDu
— D.C. Defenders (@XFLDefenders) March 31, 2024
T.J. Pledger – Running Back – Houston Roughnecks (0-1)
The former Utah running back had six carries for 15 yards and two receptions for 14 yards in Houston’s 18-12 loss to the Memphis Showboats on Sunday, March 31.
Next Game: @ D.C. Defenders on Sunday, April 7 at 2 p.m. (MT) on FOX
Not done yet… pic.twitter.com/Ckrjyy0Tiy
— Houston Roughnecks (@XFLRoughnecks) March 31, 2024
Darrin Paulo – Offensive Tackle – Memphis Showboats (1-0)
The former Utah offensive lineman and the Showboats defeated the Houston Roughnecks, 18-12, on Sunday, March 31.
Next Game: vs. San Antonio Brahmas on Saturday, April 6 at 10 a.m. (MT) on ESPN/ESPN+
Salesi Uhatafe – Offensive Tackle – Memphis Showboats (1-0)
The former Utah offensive lineman and the Showboats defeated the Houston Roughnecks, 18-12, on Sunday, March 31.
Next Game: vs. San Antonio Brahmas on Saturday, April 6 at 10 a.m. (MT) on ESPN/ESPN+
Troy Williams — Quarterback – Memphis Showboats (1-0)
The former Utah quarterback and the Showboats defeated the Houston Roughnecks, 18-12, on Sunday, March 31.
Next Game: vs. San Antonio Brahmas on Saturday, April 6 at 10 a.m. (MT) on ESPN/ESPN+
We put on a show in Houston 🚤😏 pic.twitter.com/MPHQFpLhTN
— Memphis Showboats (@USFLShowboats) March 31, 2024
Corrion Ballard – Safety – Michigan Panthers (1-0)
The former Utah defensive back had three total tackles and two solo tackles in Michigan’s 18-16 win over the St. Louis Battlehawks on Saturday, March 30.
Next Game: vs. Birmingham Stallions on Sunday, April 7 at 10 a.m. (MT) on ESPN/ESPN+
Corrion Ballard days away from our first game 🤩 pic.twitter.com/mVZzvQeJh8
— Michigan Panthers (@USFLPanthers) March 23, 2024
Mika Tafua — Defensive End — Michigan Panthers (1-0)
The former Utah defensive lineman and the Panthers beat the St. Louis Battlehawks, 18-16, on Saturday, March 30.
Next Game: vs. Birmingham Stallions on Sunday, April 7 at 10 a.m. (MT) on ESPN/ESPN+
🗣️ JAKE BATES IS A PANTHERS LEGEND
1-0 🐾 pic.twitter.com/dOzxA1DMEo
— Michigan Panthers (@USFLPanthers) March 30, 2024
Pita Taumoepenu – Linebacker – St. Louis Battlehawks (0-1)
The former Utah linebacker had one tackle in St. Louis’ 18-16 loss to the Michigan Panthers on Saturday, March 30.
Next Game: vs. Arlington Renegades on Saturday, April 6 at 6 p.m. (MT) on ABC/ESPN+
final pic.twitter.com/CTW8HaHVA6
— St. Louis Battlehawks (@XFLBattlehawks) March 30, 2024
Former BYU Cougars
Tomasi Laulile — Defensive Tackle – Arlington Renegades (0-1)
The former BYU defensive lineman had one tackle in Arlington’s 27-14 loss to the Birmingham Stallions on Saturday, March 30.
Next Game: @ St. Louis Battlehawks on Saturday, April 6 at 6 p.m. (MT) on ABC/ESPN+
On to next week pic.twitter.com/WIvnuiTLV2
— Arlington Renegades (@XFLRenegades) March 30, 2024
Kai Nacua – Safety – Michigan Panthers (1-0)
The former BYU defensive back had 11 total tackles, eight solo tackles, one sack, and two tackles for loss in Michigan’s 18-16 win over the St. Louis Battlehawks on Saturday, March 30.
Next Game: vs. Birmingham Stallions on Sunday, April 7 at 10 a.m. (MT) on ESPN/ESPN+
NACUA TIME! ✨@KaiNacua gets the sack on McCarron! #UFL2024 pic.twitter.com/HuP7t2YUGw
— Michigan Panthers (@USFLPanthers) March 30, 2024
Former Weber State Wildcats
Adam Rodriguez – Defensive End – Houston Roughnecks (0-1)
The former Weber State defensive lineman had four total tackles, two solo tackles, and one tackle for loss in Houston’s 18-12 loss to the Memphis Showboats on Sunday, March 31.
Next Game: @ D.C. Defenders on Sunday, April 7 at 2 p.m. (MT) on FOX
Former Southern Utah Thunderbirds
Brock Miller – Punter – Michigan Panthers (1-0)
The former Southern Utah punter punted four times with an average of 41.0 yards per kick in Michigan’s 18-16 win over the St. Louis Battlehawks on Saturday, March 30.
Next Game: vs. Birmingham Stallions on Sunday, April 7 at 10 a.m. (MT) on ESPN/ESPN+
Brock Miller punts the ball 33 yards and forces a fair catch at the 9-yard line!
We're getting a punting clinic today!#UFL | @XFLBattlehawks | @USFLPanthers | #BetweenTheGoalposts pic.twitter.com/A10djCAVkh
— Between The Goalposts (@NoahBeauso) March 30, 2024
RELATED: United Football League Reveals Inaugural Regular Season Schedule
2024 UFL Teams & Stadiums
USFL Conference
- Birmingham Stallions – Protective Stadium
- Houston Roughnecks – Rice Stadium
- Memphis Showboats – Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium
- Michigan Panthers – Ford Field
XFL Conference
- Arlington Renegades – Choctaw Stadium
- D.C Defenders – Audi Field
- San Antonio Brahmas – The Alamodome
- St. Louis Battlehawks – The Dome at America’s Center
Kyle Ireland is a Sports Producer and Locals in the NFL Insider for sports.ksl.com. Listen to Ireland on Yards After College: An NFL Podcast. Follow him on X (@kyleireland), Threads (@kyleirelandksl), and Instagram (@kyleirelandksl).
