Birmingham Stallions coach AJ McCarron expressed enthusiasm for his team’s deep wide receiver lineup as the United Football League training camp kicked off Monday. Reflecting on his own experience as a quarterback, McCarron highlighted the strength of the receiver group, describing it as exceptionally well-equipped for the upcoming season. The Stallions assembled 10 wide receivers on their roster, aiming to rotate talent frequently to keep players fresh throughout each week’s games. McCarron emphasized the significance of having multiple top-tier players rather than relying on just a single standout receiver.
Experienced Wide Receivers Lead the Pack
The Stallions’ receiving corps features several veterans with notable achievements in Birmingham and beyond. Deon Cain, entering his fourth season with the team, has amassed 110 catches for 1,425 yards and 14 touchdowns. His performance earned him the Most Valuable Player honor in the 2023 USFL Championship after catching three touchdown passes during the title game. Marlon Williams, another veteran now in his fifth season with the Stallions, brings 97 receptions for 1,277 yards and 10 touchdowns to the roster. Both Cain and Williams have been crucial contributors to Birmingham’s success.
Blend of NFL Veterans and Local Talent Adds Depth
The group also incorporates former Alabama high school standout Cam Echols-Luper, who returns to his home state with experience in both the USFL and the Canadian Football League. Alongside him, Laviska Shenault Jr. and John Ross bring extensive NFL experience, combining for over 200 regular-season receptions. Shenault has recorded 163 catches for 1,587 yards and six touchdowns, while Ross, known for his 4.22-second 40-yard dash at the 2017 NFL Combine, adds 63 receptions for 963 yards and 11 touchdowns. Additional wideouts include Daewood Davis, Jaydon Mickens, Marcus Simms, Justyn Ross, and Jabre Barber, all of whom have amassed professional success and bring diverse skill sets to the field.
Running Back Group Complements the Receivers’ Experience
Though the Stallions’ running backs lack the same breadth of professional experience as the wide receivers, McCarron expressed confidence in the strength of that position group as well. The backs—Snoop Conner, Tyrion Davis-Price, Anthony McFarland Jr., and Nate Noel—offer a variety of styles, ranging from powerful runners who excel between the tackles to versatile players capable of running routes effectively. McCarron stated,
“You look at our running-back room, I think we’re tops in the league when it comes to that as well. We got dudes that are big, downhill bruisers. We got guys that are scatbacks. Guys that can split out and run routes.”
Comprehensive Roster Highlights Offensive and Defensive Talent
The Stallions’ training-camp roster showcases depth across multiple positions. Offensive linemen include centers Noah Johnson, Joey Lombard, Andrew Raym, and Preston Wilson; guards Deonte Brown and Tyrese Robinson; and tackles Mason Brooks, Jackson Carman, Chris Chernak Jr., Noah Henderson, and Armani Taylor-Prioleau. Tight ends on the squad are Tyler Davis, Jordan Thomas, and Jude Wolfe. Quarterbacks Matt Corral, Taylor Elgersma, and Michael Hiers complete the offensive unit.
Defensively, the team features tackles Isaiah Coe, Ricky Correia, and Marvin Wilson, with ends Ryder Anderson, Amani Bledsoe, T.J. Carter, Desmond Little, Isaac Ukwu, and Phillip Webb. Linebackers include Johnny Buchanan, DaRon Gilbert, Tae Crowder, Kyahva Tezino, and outside linebackers Olakunle Fatukasi, Izayah Green-May, Dyontae Johnson, and Kobe Jones. The secondary is anchored by cornerbacks Lance Boykin, Ryan Cooper, Steven Gilmore, Mario Goodrich, Shaquan Loyal, and Davion Ross, alongside safeties Hudson Clark, Alex Cook, Lukas Denis, Omar Jarvis Jr., Tre Norwood, and JoJo Tillery.
Special teams consist of kicker Jonathan Garibay, long snapper Ryan Langan, and punter Colby Wadman. Several of these players are also former Alabama high school standouts, reinforcing the strong local ties of the roster. For example, Deonte Brown played at Austin High School in Decatur before his collegiate career at Alabama, Michael Hiers attended Briarwood Christian in Birmingham before going to Samford, and Desmond Little moved from Vigor High in Prichard to UAB.
Upcoming Season Opener and League Context
The Birmingham Stallions are set to kick off the inaugural United Football League schedule with a game against the Louisville Kings. This matchup will take place at 7 p.m. CDT on March 27 at Lynn Family Field in Louisville, Kentucky, and will be broadcast on FOX. As the league debuts, the Stallions aim to demonstrate the full strength of their roster, particularly showcasing the depth and versatility of their wide receiver group in live competition.
