The United Football League (UFL) witnessed notable roster changes on Wednesday as the Columbus Aviators, Louisville Kings, and Houston Gamblers all made free agent signings and releases that could shake up their lineups this season. Among the most impactful moves, the Louisville Kings acquired linebacker Lorenzo Mauldin, a local star with a strong collegiate and professional record. These UFL free agent signings come amid growing anticipation for the upcoming season and reflect aggressive strategies to strengthen team depth and skill sets.
Columbus Aviators Add Defensive Back Shon Stephens
The Columbus Aviators signed cornerback Shon Stephens, who began the offseason with the Memphis Showboats before transitioning to the Aviators. Despite going undrafted in January, Stephens has carved out a reputation for his impressive ball skills throughout his collegiate career. He started at Bakersfield College, posting 34 tackles and two pass breakups over two seasons, before moving to West Liberty, where his performance surged with 37 tackles, eight interceptions, and 14 pass breakups in 2022.
Stephens capped his senior year at Ferris State with another standout season, securing eight interceptions, 25 tackles, and four pass breakups in 2023, earning the GLIAC Defensive Player of the Year award. Known for his knack for interceptions and disrupting opposing passes, Stephens had a brief stint with the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted free agent in 2024, appearing in preseason games, and most recently was part of the Calgary Stampeders roster before his release in May.
🚨SLEEPER ALERT 🚨 ‼️‼️ STAY TUNED‼️‼️#collegefootball #cfb #sleeperalert #nfl #d2football #nfldraft #daimondintherough pic.twitter.com/lQE3gXuvKv
— Shon Stephens (@shonstephens31) July 10, 2023
Louisville Kings Reinforce Linebacker and Secondary Positions
The Louisville Kings have revamped their roster by bringing in linebacker Lorenzo Mauldin and cornerback O’Donnell Fortune while releasing wide receiver Dez Fitzpatrick and inside linebacker Dallas Gant. Mauldin, a former standout at the University of Louisville, amassed 120 tackles and 20.5 sacks during his college tenure and was drafted in the third round of the 2015 NFL Draft. After gaining NFL experience primarily with the Jets, where he recorded 33 tackles, 6.5 sacks, and an interception, Mauldin proved dominant in the Canadian Football League. His 2022 campaign with the Ottawa Redblacks featured 17 sacks, earning him the CFL Defensive Player of the Year award.
We wearin’ the same cleats but you ain’t wearin’ em right. 🦍🫡 pic.twitter.com/iaZg7EC14M
— Lorenzo “Lozo” Mauldin IV (@LozoIV) October 17, 2024
Mauldin’s experience and pass-rushing ability are expected to significantly boost the defensive front under coordinator Chris Redman. Meanwhile, the Kings parted ways with promising linebacker Dallas Gant, signaling a shift in their defensive strategy.
At cornerback, Louisville landed O’Donnell Fortune, an East-West Shrine Bowl MVP coming off a productive college career at South Carolina where he recorded 108 tackles, seven interceptions, and two forced fumbles. Fortune recently participated in the Giants’ NFL preseason, highlighting his potential at the professional level.
Been watching the SC defense today and, while he’s not one of the more well-known names, CB O’Donnell Fortune (#3) has caught my eye. A bit slight but good instincts/ball skills with legit closing speed.
Was excellent vs Alabama. pic.twitter.com/Y6u64rjG3H
— Mina Kimes (@minakimes) March 14, 2025
The Kings also released their wide receiver Dez Fitzpatrick, a player with deep Louisville roots and past NFL draft recognition. His departure marks a significant change for Louisville’s receiving corps ahead of the season.
Houston Gamblers Enhance Wide Receiver Group With Jalen Moreno-Cropper
The Houston Gamblers bolstered an already strong receiving lineup by signing wide receiver Jalen Moreno-Cropper. Moreno-Cropper, a former Fresno State standout, ended his collegiate career with 2,701 receiving yards and 21 touchdowns. He earned First-Team All-Mountain West honors as a senior, and apart from his receiving abilities, rushed for 465 yards and scored five touchdowns on the ground.
Cooper Rush ➡️ Jalen Moreno-Cropper = TOUCHDOWN
Did you guys miss football? pic.twitter.com/l4848w0aiJ
— Hailey Sutton (@_HaileySutton) July 26, 2023
Though Moreno-Cropper struggled to secure a consistent role in the NFL, spending several years with the Dallas Cowboys mostly on special teams and as a punt returner, his speed—clocked at 4.40 seconds in the 40-yard dash—offers the Gamblers a dynamic weapon. Coaches Kevin Sumlin and Eric Price are expected to capitalize on his agility and versatility to diversify Houston’s offensive attack.
Implications of Recent UFL Free Agent Activity
The flurry of UFL free agent signings impacts the balance of power among three key teams, with Columbus solidifying its secondary, Louisville injecting NFL and CFL-caliber talent into defense, and Houston expanding a potent offense. Lorenzo Mauldin’s return to Kentucky as a local star adds excitement for Louisville fans, while Shon Stephens’ defensive prowess and Jalen Moreno-Cropper’s explosiveness will be closely watched. As the UFL season approaches, these moves signal an intensified competition for playoff positioning and highlight the league’s commitment to drawing experienced and motivated talent.
Observers and supporters will be eager to see how these free agent additions influence team chemistry and performance throughout the spring schedule and beyond.
REMOVED FROM ROSTER:
LOUISVILLE
WR, Dez Fitzpatrick
ILB, Dallas GantADDED TO ROSTER:
COLUMBUS
CB, Shon StephensHOUSTON
WR, Jalen Moreno-CropperLOUISVILLE
CB, O’Donnell Fortune
MLB, Lorenzo Mauldin— UFL Communications Department (@UFL_PR) February 12, 2026
🚨SLEEPER ALERT 🚨 ‼️‼️
STAY TUNED‼️‼️#collegefootball #cfb #sleeperalert #nfl #d2football #nfldraft #daimondintherough
pic.twitter.com/lQE3gXuvKv— Shon Stephens (@shonstephens31) July 10, 2023
We wearin’ the same cleats but you ain’t wearin’ em right. 🦍🫡 pic.twitter.com/iaZg7EC14M
— Lorenzo “Lozo” Mauldin IV (@LozoIV) October 17, 2024
Been watching the SC defense today and, while he’s not one of the more well-known names, CB O’Donnell Fortune (#3) has caught my eye. A bit slight but good instincts/ball skills with legit closing speed.
Was excellent vs Alabama. pic.twitter.com/Y6u64rjG3H
— Mina Kimes (@minakimes) March 14, 2025
Cooper Rush ➡️ Jalen Moreno-Cropper = TOUCHDOWN
Did you guys miss football? pic.twitter.com/l4848w0aiJ
— Hailey Sutton (@_HaileySutton) July 26, 2023
