Six former Tennessee Volunteers, four of whom finished their careers in Knoxville, are set for the inaugural 2024 United Football League (UFL) season this Saturday around the nation.
The XFL and the United States Football League (USFL) completed a merger at the end of 2023 to create a combined football league between the two entities. Four teams from the XFL will compete in the XFL division while four teams from the USFL will compete in the USFL division.
Wide receiver JaVonta Payton and the Arlington Renegades captured an XFL championship to close down the 2023 season. The former Vol recorded 11 receptions for 164 yards during his first season with the team. Payton’s first XFL season earned him a workout with the Philadelphia Eagles in the summer of 2023 but resigned with the Renegades in January 2024.
Payton and the Renegades will take on the Birmingham Stallions at 1:00 p.m. ET on Saturday on FOX as a week one matchup.
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Elsewhere in the XFL division, former Tennessee Vol punter Paxton Brooks is set to begin his first season with the D.C. Defenders. Brooks is joined by VFL tight end Alex Ellis, who is entering his second year with the Defenders. Ellis recorded four touchdowns and 59 yards on eight receptions during the 2023 season and re-signed with the team in March 2024.
Former Tennessee Vol defensive back Bryce Thompson, who spent last season with the Seattle Sea Dragons of the XFL, is with the San Antonio Brahmas. Thompson signed with the Miami Dolphins in May of 2023 but was waived in August later that year. Thompson signed with the Brahmas just a few months later on Dec. 26, 2023.
Brooks and Ellis’ Defenders will take on Thompson’s Brahmas in week one of the UFL season on Sunday afternoon at noon ET on ESPN.
Two quarterbacks who spent time at Tennessee but didn’t finish their careers on Rocky Top are also rostered with the UFL to start the season. Former Tennessee quarterback Jarrett Guarantano will start the season for the Houston Roughnecks while former Tennessee running back Tiyon Evans is also on the Houston roster. In the USFL division, former Tennessee quarterback Quinten Dormany will serve in a backup role for the San Antonio Brahmas.
For a full look at the 2024 UFL schedule, click here.
