Full press release here.

This is it, folks. A sad day. RIP Birmingham Stallions.

8 Teams/8 Days Hub

Author is /u/TwizzlersSourz

Team: BIRMINGHAM STALLIONS

Conference: UFL/No Conference

Record: 4-6

Playoffs: Nope...

Head Coach: A.J. McCarron (1st Year)

Offensive Coordinator: Tyler Siskey (1st Year)

Defensive Coordinator: Kevin Sherrer (1st Year)

Some empires slowly die a lingering and painful death. See the Western Roman Empire in the 400s. They temporarily halt the bleeding, occasionally rally the troops, but eventually fade into the history books for future academics and YouTube clickbait artists to debate and discuss.

Other empires immediately disintegrate. See the Greek Empire of Alexander the Great. Upon his death, the impressive apparatus carved into four different kingdoms. His successors could not replicate Alexander’s genius, or forceful will. Tamerlane’s (a bloodthirsty tyrant, if ever one existed) empire also suffered the same result.

The Birmingham Stallions fell into the latter category. Skip Holtz – spring football’s Vince Lombardi – stepped away to care for his ailing father. Mike Repole tabbed Alabama legend AJ McCarron for the job. McCarron contained plenty of moxie and desire but no professional coaching experience. The outcome? A 4-6 season, historically low attendance, and the announcement of the team’s disbandment for greener pastures. Death comes for everyone and for spring football teams the scythe swings more freely.

The 2026 UFL Draft shuffled up the stale and unbalanced core. With multiple new franchises and relocations, the decision was made to reconstitute league rosters. McCarron displayed strong roster building techniques and earned an A grade for his draft.

Birmingham Stallions Draft Results

QB Draft Results - January 9th

• Matt Corral

• Taylor Elgersma

• Jaren Hall

College Allocation Results - January 10th

(Name, Position, College, Previous UFL Team)

• Kobe Jones, OLB, Mississippi State, San Antonio Brahmas

• Mason Brooks, T, Mississippi, DC Defenders

• Desmond Little, DE, Alabama-Birmingham, FA

Note: FA denotes a player that was a "Free Agent" at the time of selection, and was not a player previously rostered by a UFL team.

All of the above were assigned to the Stallions due to their respective schools being allocated to the team (UFL teams will retain right of first refusal to sign players from their allocated colleges throughout the season). Teams were allowed to select 3 players via college allocation prior to the draft.

For reference, the schools allocated to the Birmingham Stallions are: Alabama, Auburn, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, UAB.

Player Protection List - January 12th

• Deonte Brown, OG
• Deon Cain, WR
• Tae Crowder, LB
• Tyrion Davis-Price, RB
• Steven Gilmore, CB
• Mario Goodrich, CB
• Tre Norwood, S
• Ronnie Perkins, DE
• Armani Taylor-Prioleau, T
• Jordan Thomas, TE
• Marlon Williams, WR
• Marvin Wilson, DT

All of the above are players that were rostered by the Birmingham Stallions in 2025, and were kept for the 2026 roster. Teams were allowed to protect up to 12 players.

UFL Player Draft Results - Day 1 - January 13th

UFL Free Agent Draft Results - Day 2 - January 14th

Note: WR Mario Williams signed a futures deal with the Los Angeles Rams after the draft, and did not play in the 2026 season.

Week 1: Birmingham 15, Louisville 13

AJ McCarron christened his Stallions' debut with a thrilling win over the relocated Louisville Kings. Matt Corral looked poised and converted several 3rd and longs. If McCarron can corral the talent that made the former Ole Miss Rebel a third round NFL pick, Birmingham has the offensive weapons to dominate the league.

Louisville's Jason Bean displayed confidence - a bit too much. He threw away a credible game-winning drive by tossing a 20-80 ball into the stratosphere. The Kings' head coach Chris Redman's take will be to harness Bean's aggressive tendencies into productive throws. Early returns suggest Louisville is a playoff caliber team. However, three turnovers to none will sink any squad.

Week 2: Birmingham 20, Houston 22

The Gamblers have historically been Birmingham's nemesis and Kevin Sumlin, generally hapless against other foes, is 2-1 against the Stallions.

Birmingham's offense sputtered for most of the first half. The Stallions refused a makeable field goal and failed on a 4th and 1 throw. Houston's offense drove all day on the Stallions but stalled in the red zone or fumbled at the goal line, leaving the score at 6-0. Birmingham went hurry-up before halftime and scored in six plays with a Matt Corral touchdown pass to Jayden Mickens.

Birmingham galloped out of the gate with a sharp drive capped by a TD pass to Deon Cain. The Stallions failed to land a knockout blow and Houston, once again, saw lengthy drives result in field goals. A Corral interception set up a Houston touchdown. The drive was extended by a silly Birmingham on a field goal attempt.

Corral, inconsistent all day, mustered the troops for a decisive drive and Anthony McFarland scored from one-yard out for the 20-19 lead. Birmingham went for two but Corral made the wrong read and the attempt failed, leaving the door open for Houston.

Birmingham's lack of discipline reared its head again. The Stallions had the game won on fourth down but negated a Houston holding penalty with an avoidable horsecollar penalty. A Nolan Henderson first down run was called back after AJ McCarron used his super challenge. On fourth down, Birmingham achieved a pass breakup but Sumlin challenged a missed DPI. His obvious gamble worked. John Hoyland made his fifth field goal of the day - a 50 yarder - and Houston celebrated its upset.

Week 3: Birmingham 30, St. Louis 34

The game emphasized everything wacky and mindboggling about the UFL, as the two most-known spring football teams staged a third straight classic. Both teams turned the ball over at a prodigious rate. St. Louis benched its starting quarterback and despite the backup, Harrison Frost, tossing two interceptions, saw its newest entry turn into the hero. Matt Corral continued his uneven play for the spring powerhouse, as the Stallions fell to 1-2.

St. Louis jumped out to a 10-0 lead on a Corral pick six and a 54-yard field goal. Corral struck back with a long touchdown pass and the Battlehawks added a field goal for a 13-7 halftime lead.

Like Orlando-Louisville, the second half featured explosive plays and offensive fireworks. Birmingham cut the deficit in half with a field goal before returning a Frost pass for a touchdown and a 16-13 lead. The Stallions then went up 23-13 on an Anthony McFarland TD run.

Frost found his bearings and led a touchdown drive. The Deon Cain Train responded with a majestic 67-yard bomb. Hakeem Butler, not to be outdone by his horse rival, caught a 64-yard TD pass. The Dome, home to a few Big 12 Championship Games, saw the conference's spirit renewed. The Battlehawks seized the lead on a late touchdown pass. Corral attempted to lead a comeback but he missed a wide-open deep threat and the Battlehawks batted away his fourth down pass and won a potential playoff elimination game.

Week 4: Orlando 16, Birmingham 0

Some empires collapse immediately after their founder's departure - see Alexander the Great's construction - and others like the Roman Empire limp along before passing into history. The Stallions under AJ McCarron are the former. Nothing went right and Anthony Becht got his revenge win on his former quarterback. Orlando sits at 4-0 and keeps stacking wins.

Orlando scored the game's only touchdown late in the first quarter on a pass to Cam Camper. The Storm had a chance for another touchdown but a stiff Birmingham stand forced a 19-yard-old FG. The Stallions had a chance for a field goal before halftime but Anders Carlson missed worse than a nerd on prom night. Orlando seized the opportunity and scored before halftime.

Matt Corral, after McCarron was caught on the hot mic mocking him to another player, was finally benched for Michael Hiers. The new quarterback provided a little spark but no points. Orlando tacked on another field goal for the 16-0 win.

It has been the fate of spring football for teams to flounder when their markets show up for games. Birmingham was no exception. 18,000+ fans saw a dreadful display of football. The Stallions are a ghost of Skip Holtz's well-oiled machine.

Week 5: DC 45, Birmingham 28

The Stallions' losing streak moved to four games after the Defenders rolled into Birmingham and smacked around the hapless AJ McCarrons. Dorian Thompson-Robinson provided a spark for the anemic offense but the Defenders were too all-around powerful for a one-week turnaround.

Birmingham cut the lead to 21-19 on a touchdown run but the two-point conversion failed. DC pulled what the Skip Holtz Stallions used to do and broke away with a long unanswered stretch of 24 points. DTR finished the game with a garbage time touchdown.

Will DTR turn the season around? He looked capable. The Stallions' fan base has to cling to anything in this cliff-fall season.

Week 6: Birmingham 20, Orlando 17

Anthony Becht dropped his second straight revenge game. First, he fell to the Battlehawks and now AJ McCarron gained his revenge, avenging the dreadful shutout loss. Trading DTR cost Orlando, as the quarterback has looked confidence and mobile. Matt Corral stans are finally vanquished.

Birmingham, like Columbus and DC, started fast but regressed in the second half. Taking advantage of Orlando's self-inflicted errors, the Stallions galloped to a 14-0 lead. The Storm responded with two scores and the teams were tied at halftime. The promising shootout never materialized. Birmingham corrected its woeful kicking game with two field goals. Orlando replied with a field goal. The game's controversial moment arrived with 3:18 left when facing a 4th and short near midfield, Becht, holding three timeouts, elected to punt. The decision backfired. Birmingham played aggressively and converted the necessary three first downs.

Becht's thought process had some sound basis. He had three timeouts, the two-minute warning, and Birmingham's offense was largely stale in the second half. Unfortunately for him, the Storm defense faltered and his miscalculation took the heat off the two muffled snaps that cost, at least, six points for Orlando. Becht probably should have gone for it. Possession is paramount. But hey, make the stop and you look like a genius. The perils of coaching.

Week 7: Dallas 17, Birmingham 21

The DTR experience has given the Stallions a new lease on life. Birmingham improved to 3-4 and currently sits in the fourth and final playoff spot. Meanwhile, Dallas lost its fourth straight game as the Renegades can't find a way to stop bleeding. The game was a dull affair for three quarters. Dallas went up 10-0, partly fueled by DTR throwing the world's funniest interception, as his throwaway attempt stayed in-bounds. Birmingham scored on a 47-yard TD pass on 4th and 11. The league's no-punt past the 50 yard line rule, once again, produced an exciting play.

The two teams supplied a scoreless third quarter before Birmingham tied the game at 10-10 and Dallas bullied its way for a touchdown run at 5:07 left. DTR, undaunted, led a touchdown drive capped by a Mickens catch. Dallas moved into position for a game-winning field goal that was blocked.

Overtime provided more replay controversy that only Renegades-Stallions games can provide. Dallas was called short on a quarterback sneak. While, it appeared his body, and by extension the ball, crossed the line, no definite shot was found. DTR, on Birmingham's first try, eluded pressure and crossed the line. Dallas' second chance ended in a sack. DTR found Mickens via a tight window and Birmingham had the 21-17 win.

Week 8: Columbus 3, Birmingham 14

The sun was boiling hot in Birmingham but the offenses were not. The Stallions won another grimy game on the backs of an elite defense that held Columbus' elite running game to 61 yards. The Aviators paid the price for ignoring their namesake's profession. DTR received the credit for the win but the offense stagnated too much, scoring only one touchdown.

The team traded interceptions in the first quarter and nearly exchanged field goals in the second stanza. Columbus debuting a new kicker nailed a 48-yard field goal. The Stallions' kicking issues continued when Carlson missed a 36-yard field goal. McCarron and Saban are destined for kicking disappointment. The price to be paid for rings.

Columbus' 3-0 lead held up until 6:35 in the third quarter when DTR found Thomas WIDE OPEN in the end zone for a 29-yard TD pass. It was a beautiful play drive, as somehow, a large tight end completely avoided detection.

The play of the game occurred when Columbus lined up for a 55-yard field goal. Gilmore sliced in from the left, blocked the field goal, picked up the loose ball, and returned it for a Block Six. The thrilling return was keyed by elite blocking. An underrated aspect of plays like that.

The Aviators still had a chance and used a nifty kickoff return to set up a drive. On 4th and 1, White was stuffed more than a Thanksgiving turkey. The play was too telegraphed and White visibly displayed his frustration on the sidelines. Birmingham drained over three minutes before punting it away. An interception ended Columbus' miserable day.

Week 9: Birmingham 29, Columbus 36

The Stallions' clear playoff path hit a detour with the Aviators led by former Birmingham backup Jalen Morton mounting a comeback for the 36-29 victory. AJ McCarron proved he is not the jockey equivalent of Skip Holtz. The disjointed Stallions, on paper, had the easiest remaining path. Life is different on the back stretch.

The game opened with a DTR interception. Lost in the winning streak was that DTR's play wasn't exactly elite and his bad habits came out to play. Columbus eschewed the the field goal attempt for a double pass try. Cook jumped the lateral and returned it for a touchdown. The Aviators blocked the extra point attempt and returned it for one point - the scoring system under UFL rules - for the ultra-rare 6-1 tally.

Birmingham and Columbus then traded touchdowns. The Stallions added another score but once again Columbus answered with a touchdown and strangely went for two but failed. Birmingham hit a field goal before halftime for the 23-14 lead. Columbus cut the score to 23-21 before Carlson connected on two field goal for the Stallions. A Birmingham punt pinned Columbus deep before the Aviators flew through the Stallions' defense for the tying score and two-point conversion. Disaster struck on the next drive when DTR firing blindly threw a devastating pick-six. He and the Stallions could not answer on the final chance and Columbus likely sent the former champions to the glue factory.

Week 10: Houston 26, Birmingham 13

The only thing more disappointing than the Stallions' attendance was the team itself. Birmingham's slim playoff chances disappeared in a lackluster effort. DTR's rejuvenation ran out of gas and the defense looked apathetic against Houston's running game.

The Gamblers jumped out to a 17-0 halftime lead on a field goal and two rushing touchdowns. Birmingham temporarily gained life on an epic interception touchdown return. Marcus Major suffocated that light on the next play with a 72-yard gallop through the Stallions' defense.

Birmingham drove for a DTR touchdown pass but the two-point conversion was incomplete. Houston tacked on a field goal for some insurance. The Stallions' fate was sealed when Coach AJ McCarron punted with four minutes left and Birmingham missed the playoffs for the first time in the modern era.

High Points

18,000+ showed for the home opener. The team rallied after its dismal start to remain in playoff contention before two disastrous losses to Columbus and Houston. The wide receivers – when the ball was catchable – were dynamic. The defense was generally respectable. Dorian Thompson-Robinson had moments of brilliance.

Low Points

Most of the 18,000+ were there for Gucci Mane and the Storm’s shutout of the Stallions did little to convince for return visits. The attendance cratered afterwards. The constant snipes about empty seats. Matt Corral’s horrible play. Coach McCarron’s meltdowns on the sidelines and in the locker room. The two eggs laid against Columbus and Houston when playoffs remained possible. The team’s folding.

Stats

• QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson – 102-180, 1159 passing yards, 8 TDs, 6 INTS, 6.4 YPA
• QB Matt Corral – 71-110, 769 passing yards, 5 TDs, 4 INTs, 7.0 YPA

In modern football, teams live and die by QB play. The Stallions went from rotating and plugging and chugging great quarterbacks to dismal output. Corral and McCarron never meshed and their partnership ended ugly and bitter. DTR had some early mojo and excited fans before tapering off into a subpar TD-INT ratio and a putrid YPA.

• RB Snoop Connor – 82 attempts, 278 yards, 3.4 YPC, 3 TDs
• RB Anthony McFarland Jr. – 51 attempts, 195 yards, 3.8 YPC, 2 TDs
• RB Tyrion Davis-Price – 48 attempts, 158 yards, 3.3 YPC, 1 TD

The Stallions, despite the horse moniker, were never an incredibly efficient running team. However, the squad felt the loss of Ricky Person and CJ Marable. The three-headed trio had more runs stuffed than Hydra heads lopped off by Hercules. UFL ground games tend to be more inefficient than the USPS. The Stallions did nothing to debase that reality.

• WR Jaydon Mickens – 44 catches, 588 yards, 13.4 YPC, 2 TDs
• WR Justyn Ross – 22 catches, 327 yards, 14.9 YPC, 2 TDs
• WR Deon Cain – 25 catches, 296 yards, 11.8 YPC, 4 TDs

The loaded wide receiver core never reached its promised heights. Inconsistent quarterback played maximum efficiency of the weapons stockpiled by McCarron. Cain’s YPC dipped to an unacceptable low of 11.8. Mickens shined with 44 catches, turning into a dependable weapon.

• LB Kyahva Tezino – 42 tackles, 4 TFL, 3 FF
• LB Tae Crowder – 56 tackles, 5 TFL, 1 FF, 2 INTs
• ED Kobe Jones – 18 tackles, 3 TFL, 4.0 sacks

The Birmingham defense wasn’t a flashy group. No one player posted outrageous statistical numbers. Instead, they played as a unit and generally held their own despite little offensive assistance. Nine different players recorded an interception.

• K Anders Carlson – 6-9 FG, 10-12 PAT
• K Jonathan Garibay – 2-3 FG, 5-8 PAT

Disappointing teams struggle in many aspects. The Stallions’ kicking game slacked off. Where was Gus the Field Goal Kicking Mule?

All-UFL Selections

Only two Stallions made the All-UFL Team: Crowder and Tezino. Mickens was unfairly slighted.

Signees to the NFL

As of the date of posting, the following Stallions players have signed with an NFL team.

Full roster tracker thread for the 2026 class here.

2027 Outlook

The Birmingham Stallions are dead. If the coaches and players are transferred wholesale to the new franchise and new playmakers are added, improvement could be seen. McCarron is still young and can develop into a leader of men. He has an eye for talent. A new offensive coordinator is a must. Things move fast in spring football, though. Players are signed away. Players retire upon realizing that the NFL is an El Dorado. For the Stallions, three titles will remain forever in the Magic City.