The Dallas Renegades have strengthened their lineup by signing two wide receivers, Brian Hightower and Emmanuel Butler, as announced Wednesday via the UFL Transactions page. This move aims to reinforce the Dallas Renegades wide receivers group ahead of the upcoming season.
Brian Hightower’s Background and Career Timeline
Brian Hightower, a 26-year-old native of Los Angeles, California, stands six feet three inches tall and weighs 215 pounds. In 2024, he attended the Green Bay Packers rookie minicamp and was briefly part of the Houston Roughnecks roster, joining them on May 7 and released on October 4 without appearing in regular-season games. Hightower did not participate in the 2025 season.
During his collegiate career, Hightower played two seasons (2018-19) for the Miami Hurricanes, recording 12 receptions for 148 yards and one touchdown over 18 games, while also contributing four tackles. He transferred to the University of Illinois, playing from 2020 to 2022, where he caught 48 passes for 661 yards and five touchdowns in 24 games, adding one solo tackle. In 2023, he moved to California, the Golden Bears, with 10 receptions totaling 101 yards over 10 games.
Emmanuel Butler’s Extensive Professional and Collegiate Experience
Emmanuel Butler, aged 29 and from Phoenix, Arizona, is six feet three inches and weighs 221 pounds. He re-signed with the Houston Roughnecks on August 13, 2024, and after making 11 receptions for 182 yards and two touchdowns in 10 games during 2025, the Roughnecks extended his contract on July 9, 2025. Butler then became a free agent following the 2026 UFL Draft where he went unselected.
Butler began his professional journey when the New Orleans Saints signed him as an undrafted free agent on May 2, 2017. He spent two seasons on their practice squad before signing with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in March 2021. Despite multiple stints with the Tiger-Cats and brief periods with the Ottawa Redblacks and San Antonio Brahmas, Butler saw limited game action, including just one game and three catches in 2022. In 2023, Butler had short tenures with the Brahmas and Redblacks, including one preseason game featuring two receptions for 79 yards, and a single game appearance with the Houston Gamblers featuring one catch for 18 yards.
His college tenure was with Northern Arizona University (2014-18), where Butler accumulated 187 catches for 3,217 yards and 33 touchdowns over 45 games. His accolades include two All-Big Sky First Team selections (2015-16), 2015 Sporting News Fab Fifty-First Team recognition, Associated Press First Team All-America honors in 2015, STATS Second Team All-America in 2015, and a 2018 HERO Sports Preseason All-America Third Team nod.
Implications for the Renegades’ Offense Going Forward
With the addition of these two receivers, the Dallas Renegades widen their options at the wide receiver position, combining Hightower’s developing collegiate background and Butler’s seasoned professional experience in multiple leagues. This strategy reflects the team’s intent to strengthen their passing game and offer more versatility for the upcoming season. Observers will watch closely as both players adapt and contribute to the Renegades’ offensive schemes.
REMOVED FROM ROSTER:
HOUSTON
DE, Shaka ToneyADDED TO ROSTER:
DALLAS
WR, Emmanuel Butler
WR, Brian HightowerHOUSTON
WR, Julian Hicks
SS, Eli WalkerLOUISVILLE
WR, Lucky JacksonST. LOUIS
NT, Freedom Akinmoladun— UFL Communications Department (@UFL_PR) February 19, 2026
The San Antonio Brahmas have made the following moves:
Signed
WR Emmanuel Butler
G Mike Brown
DT Shakir SotoReleased
TE Ben Beise
OT Kai AbsheerPlaced on Reserve
G Jordan McCray— UFL Analyst – Michael Del Negro (@uflanalyst) March 9, 2023
