The Columbus Aviators announced the release of defensive ends Amare Barno and Isaiah Thomas, as well as linebacker J.B. Brown, on Saturday, according to the UFL Transactions page. These moves come ahead of the upcoming season as the team reshapes its defensive roster.
Amare Barno’s Career Path and Professional Background
Standing at 6 foot 6 and weighing 245 pounds, Amare Barno is a 26-year-old defensive end from Blythewood, South Carolina. Barno was originally selected by the Columbus Aviators in the 2026 UFL Draft after several years in the NFL. The Carolina Panthers picked him in the sixth round (189th overall) of the 2022 NFL Draft. Over three seasons with the Panthers, Barno recorded 37 tackles—split between 25 solo and 12 assisted—four tackles for loss, three hits on the quarterback, and three sacks across 29 games. The Panthers released him on July 26, 2025.
Before turning professional, Barno played two seasons at Butler Community College (2017-2018), tallying 73 tackles including 13 tackles for loss, four pass breakups, and one forced fumble in 17 games for the Grizzlies. He then transferred to Virginia Tech, where from 2019 to 2021, he made 78 tackles, 21.5 tackles for loss, and 10 sacks in 26 games. His collegiate achievements earned him recognition such as Third Team All-ACC by Phil Steele and an All-ACC Honorable Mention in 2020.
Isaiah Thomas’s NFL Journey and Collegiate Record
Isaiah Thomas, a 6 foot 5 defensive end weighing 272 pounds, is a 27-year-old from Tulsa, Oklahoma. Like Barno, Thomas was drafted by the Columbus Aviators in the 2026 UFL Draft. He was originally selected by the Cleveland Browns in the seventh round (223rd overall) of the 2022 NFL Draft and has had professional stints with the Cincinnati Bengals and Detroit Lions.
Thomas appeared in 12 NFL games, recording 12 tackles including one tackle for loss, two sacks, two quarterback hits, two pass breakups, and one fumble recovery. He joined the Bengals on December 18, 2024, and in the 2025 preseason made nine tackles, two sacks, three quarterback hits, and one pass breakup in three games before his release on September 9, 2025.
In college, Thomas spent five seasons at Oklahoma (2017-2021), achieving 81 tackles, 26.5 tackles for loss, 18.5 sacks, seven pass breakups, four forced fumbles, and three fumble recoveries over 43 games. His performance earned him two Second Team All-Big 12 selections.
J.B. Brown’s Background and NFL Experience
Linebacker J.B. Brown, who measures 6 foot 2 and weighs 230 pounds, hails from Hughes, Arkansas. Brown entered the UFL after being drafted by the Columbus Aviators in 2026. He signed as an undrafted free agent with the Denver Broncos on May 9, 2025, and appeared in two preseason games in which he made two tackles before his release on August 20, 2025.
Brown’s collegiate career began with three seasons at Bowling Green State University (2020-2022), where he made 75 tackles including 5.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks in 30 games. He then spent two seasons (2023-2024) at Kansas, compiling 131 tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss, and seven sacks in 25 games for the Jayhawks. In 2024, Brown earned an All-Big 12 Honorable Mention after posting a career-high 74 tackles and significant defensive contributions.
Implications of the Releases for the Aviators and Players
The decision by the Columbus Aviators to release Barno, Thomas, and Brown comes as the team refines its defensive lineup ahead of the new season. Each player brings NFL experience and notable college achievements, but the Aviators appear focused on building a roster that fits their immediate competitive strategy. For Barno and Thomas, the move raises questions about their next opportunities in professional football, while Brown will seek to leverage his strong college performances to continue his career. Their releases highlight the challenges athletes face transitioning from the NFL to alternative leagues like the UFL and emphasize the competitive nature of professional football rosters.
The following players have been removed from pre-training camp rosters:
COLUMBUS:
DE, Amare Barno
MLB, J.B. Brown
DE, Isaiah ThomasDC
CB, Deandre Baker
TE, Briley MooreLOUISVILLE
DE, John PiusST. LOUIS
QB, Michael Pratt— UFL Communications Department (@UFL_PR) February 22, 2026
