Spring football is back. The USFL and XFL’s merger is underway with the “UFL” nearing the season-opener. By the looks of it you can expect to see exciting and highly-competitive football as the season goes on.
There are big-time players involved in the 2024 season and some stand above the rest.
UFL Shining Battlehawk
QB AJ McCarron – St. Louis Battlehawks
Ben Dinucci and Jordan Ta’amu were the most talked about quarterbacks in the XFL last season. However, you can argue that St. Lous Battlehawks quarterback, AJ McCarron has actually been the most successful.
The former National Champion at Alabama, McCarron was an efficient passer, completing nearly 70% of throws in 2023. At the season’s end, McCarron had tallied 24 passing touchdowns, 6 interceptions, and a 7-3 record for St. Louis.
McCarron had a pair of solid weapons in wide receiver Hakeem Butler and Darius Shepherd around him and with both returning this year, you can expect McCarron’s numbers to skyrocket.
He has average arm strength, but he is accurate enough as a thrower to make up for it. Most of all, he seemingly always puts his team in the right position to win games.
The coach-player relationship he has with Coach Anthony Becht also helps as the two trust each-other in crunch time. This Battlehawks are a well-oiled unit and are going to come out swinging. They should be looked at as heavy favorites going into the year, with McCarron leading the MVP race at some point.
UFL League’s best rusher
RB Mark Thompson – Houston Roughnecks
Houston Roughnecks running back Mark Thompson lit up the stat sheet in the USFL last season. The league’s offensive player of the year in 2023, Thompson goes into the new season with all eyes on him.
Thompson, with 14 rushing touchdowns in 2023, carries the bruiser-running style on his back loud and proud, He is a bowling bowl on the field but he moves quickly to bounce off of wimpy-tacklers.
Once Thompson finds a crease and finds space, he is out in the open field with ease. He also contributes as a good pass-catcher and is a dynamic screen-pass receiver.
Thompson is by far the best running back going into the 2024 season. On a team like Houston who is still looking to find their identity, Thompson should be expected to get a lot of volume this upcoming season. As a result, Thompson should shatter his previous rushing record.
UFL Tackling-Machine
LB – Frank Ginda Michigan Panthers
If you want a player who you can trust to go in and make a big stop, look no further than Michigan Panther’s line-backer, Frank Ginda.
The reigning USFL defensive player of the year, Ginda eats, sleeps and breaths tackling. He has a terrific burst in pursuit of stopping the run and can make plays from all over the field. He has great vision and always seemingly plays one step ahead of everyone else.
Considered under-sized by many, he plays bigger than his frame says he can. He is always making an impact on games and his teammates follow his lead. Michigan named him their defensive captain early on, for a reason.
When Ginda was not stopping a big gain, he was dropping back in coverage and contributing well. The high football IQ Ginda shows is impressive and even with the league merger, look for Ginda to capture a consecutive league defensive player of the year award.
The UFL will be exciting to watch and guys like McCarron, Thompson, and Ginda can be the faces of the league.
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Desmond Ordonez is an avid sports fan and resides in Boise, Idaho. Desmond frequently covers NFL, NBA and Fantasy sports news. Follow him on Twitter at @des_ordo21. Check out all the great content Total Apex Sports has to offer. Check us out on X @TotalApexSports and our other sites: Total Apex Sports Bets and Total Apex Fantasy Sports.