In a major development for the United Football League (UFL) on February 5, 2026, the Birmingham Stallions secured wide receiver John Ross, marking a significant addition to their roster. The signing, confirmed via the UFL Communications Department, follows weeks of negotiation led by Stallions quarterback A.J. McCarron, who sought to bring Ross on board due to their previous connection while with the Cincinnati Bengals.
John Ross is one of the UFL’s most high-profile signings to date, known for his explosive speed and NFL pedigree. A first-round pick in the 2017 NFL Draft by the Bengals, Ross famously ran an unofficial 4.22-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine, breaking the previous record. His NFL career includes stints with the Bengals and the New York Giants, where he amassed 963 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns in total.
During his college years at the University of Washington, Ross showcased exceptional talent, accumulating 1,729 receiving yards and 22 touchdowns. Additionally, he made a strong impact as a return specialist, notching 2,069 kick return yards and four touchdowns. His proven speed and route running ability underscore why the Stallions view him as an invaluable asset going forward.
WR John Ross just ran an unofficial 4.22 40, breaking Chris Johnson’s record!pic.twitter.com/0nKdsDZmkH
— NFL Stats (@NFL_Stats)
The arrival of Ross further strengthens what is already an exceptionally talented wide receiver room in Birmingham, adding a layer of complexity to the coaching staff’s roster decisions during upcoming training camps. McCarron and his coaches now face the challenge of making tough cuts in a room that is becoming increasingly saturated with talent.
Dallas Renegades Add Defensive Tackle Darrius Moragne
Meanwhile, the Dallas Renegades bolstered their defensive line by signing veteran defensive tackle Darrius Moragne. Moragne, experienced in 4-3 defensive schemes, played the most recent UFL season with the Houston Roughnecks where he posted 12 tackles and five quarterback pressures across nine games.
Moragne has a well-traveled spring football career, including time with the Pittsburgh Maulers in 2022 before a season-ending injury sidelined him. He later joined the Brahmas in 2023 but lost his position after a league merger. In 2024, Moragne briefly returned to the Renegades but did not see game action. His latest signing provides the Renegades with experienced depth heading into their next season, although his current role appears to be largely for training camp evaluation.
With our final pick!
DT/DE/OT Darrius Moragne 👏 pic.twitter.com/mlua3FAzSl
— Pittsburgh Maulers (@UFLMaulers)
DC Defenders Bring Back Wide Receiver Keke Coutee
The DC Defenders re-signed wide receiver Keke Coutee, who returns after a year away from professional football. Coutee contributed 173 yards on 18 receptions during the 2024 season with the Defenders, primarily playing in a supporting role behind Ty Scott and Kelvin Harmon.
Coutee began his professional journey after being selected in the fourth round of the 2018 NFL Draft by the Houston Texans. His tenure in Houston included over 900 receiving yards and four touchdowns. Additionally, he played college football at Texas Tech, where he recorded 2,424 receiving yards and 17 touchdowns over three seasons. Beyond receiving, Coutee has proven value on special teams, with experience as both a kick and punt returner.
The DC #Defenders have also re-signed WR Keke Coutee, who played in the #UFL with the team in 2024.
Keke is another big WR addition, who flashed quite a bit with the Defenders a couple of years ago.
Coutee was a 4th round NFL draft pick w/ the #Texans.pic.twitter.com/K1mSkTw4lJ
— James Larsen (@JamesLarsenPFN)
Notable Roster Departure from Louisville Kings
The Louisville Kings experienced a roster setback with the departure of linebacker Monty Rice. Rice, a recent third-round NFL draft pick, was expected to be a cornerstone of defensive coordinator Jamie Sharper’s unit. His exit leaves a void in the Kings’ linebacker corps and could affect the team’s defensive plans moving forward.
The Impact of Ross and Coutee’s Addition to the UFL
John Ross’s signing represents a major coup for the Birmingham Stallions and the UFL overall, highlighting the league’s growing ability to attract players with strong NFL backgrounds. His combination of speed and experience will likely elevate the Stallions’ offensive threat and generate excitement among fans. Similarly, Keke Coutee’s return to the DC Defenders adds proven skill and versatility at wide receiver, strengthening their roster depth.
These signings signal the UFL’s increasing competitiveness and place pressure on teams to improve their rosters ahead of the upcoming season. While veteran players like Darrius Moragne provide additional depth, the active recruitment of high-profile receivers like Ross and Coutee could have substantial ramifications on the league’s dynamics, especially within the receiving corps of multiple teams.
As training camps approach, teams will face difficult decisions in trimming rosters, particularly in star-studded offensive groups such as Birmingham’s. Monitoring how these acquisitions translate on the field will be key in assessing the league’s development. Fans and analysts alike will watch closely to see the influence of these veterans in a league eager to bolster its reputation and competitiveness.
REMOVED FROM ROSTER:
LOUISVILLE
MLB, Monty RiceADDED TO ROSTER:
BIRMINGHAM
WR, John RossDALLAS
DT, Darrius MoragneDC
WR, Keke Coutee— UFL Communications Department (@UFL_PR) February 5, 2026
WR John Ross just ran an unofficial 4.22 40, breaking Chris Johnson's record!pic.twitter.com/0nKdsDZmkH
— NFL Stats (@NFL_Stats) March 4, 2017
John Ross III (@watchjross) POURED it on in the Pacific Northwest:
☔️ 7 catches
☔️ 158 yards
☔️ 2 TDs@Bengals | #SeizeTheDEY pic.twitter.com/Tcv8J2zE4K— NFL (@NFL) September 11, 2019
With our final pick!
DT/DE/OT Darrius Moragne 👏 pic.twitter.com/mlua3FAzSl
— Pittsburgh Maulers (@UFLMaulers) March 11, 2022
The DC #Defenders have also re-signed WR Keke Coutee, who played in the #UFL with the team in 2024.
Keke is another big WR addition, who flashed quite a bit with the Defenders a couple of years ago.
Coutee was a 4th round NFL draft pick w/ the #Texans.pic.twitter.com/K1mSkTw4lJ
— James Larsen (@JamesLarsenPFN) February 5, 2026
