What former Penn State football players are on UFL rosters in 2026?
· Yahoo Sports
Spring football may be in the air for Penn State with practices leading up to the anual Blue-White spring game, but spring also offers professional football for a handful of former Nittany Lions. The UFL is back for another season of professional spring football and there are five former Penn State players appearing on rosters this spring, including a few making their UFL debuts this season.
Visit fish-roadgame.com for more information.
The UFL, a merger of the USFL and XFL, made some changes to the league structure this season with the elimination for a few franchises and the addition of some new teams in markets more attractive for the product. That meant a couple of former Penn State players had to relocate this year as a result. But ultimately, the UFL serves as an opportunity for some players to stay in professional shape with the hope of maybe getting back to an NFL roster in the fall.
Here is a quick rundown of every former Penn State football player appearing on a roster for a team in the UFL as the 2026 season begins.
John Lovett, RB, Columbus Aviators
John Lovett is already one of the most experienced players in the UFL as he is entering his third season in the league, dating back to the time played in the resurrected XFL. Lovett played the past two seasons with the San Antonio Brahmas and rushed for 444 yards and 5 touchdowns during the 2024 season. The Brahmas were one of the franchises eliminated by the UFL this year, but Lovett has landed with the new UFL team, the Columbus Aviators.
Curtis Jacobs, LB, DC Defenders
Former Penn State linebacker Curtis Jacobs is making his UFL debut this season after spending the last two seasons on a handful of NFL rosters. Jacobs was an undrafted player in 2024 but spent some time with the Kansas City Chiefs and New England Patriots in his rookie year. He then spent time with the Tennessee Titans and New York Giants last year on practice squad rosters.
Jacobs was one of the defensive leaders for the defending UFL champion DC Defenders in the season opener with 6 tackles and 3 solo tackles in Week 1. And he is just one former Nittany Lion bringing a Linebacker-U flavor to the Defenders...
Brandon Smith, LB, DC Defenders
Brandon Smith is also in his first season with the DC Defenders and in the UFL. Smith was a fourth-round draft pick of the Carolina Panthers in the 2022 NFL draft. He spent one season with the Panthers before being released and signing with the Philadelphia Eagles, where he was on the practice squad in 2023 and 2024. He was later picked up by the New York Jets to fill a spot on the practice squad, and then picked up by the Las Vegas Raiders after being released by the Jets.
Smith also had 6 total tackles in the season opener for the Defenders with 2 solo tackles and 1 TFL.
Keaton Ellis, FS, Louisville Kings
This season marks the second UFL season for former Penn State safety Keaton Ellis, but his first with the Louisville Kings. This is the first season in the UFL for the Kings. Ellis originally signed with the Memphis Showboats, which were discontinued as a team by the UFL this year. Players under contract with the Showboats were transferred to the Louisville Kings, including Ellis.
Ellis was among the defensive leaders for the Kings in their first game of the season against the Birmingham Stallions. Ellis recorded 9 total tackles with 7 solo tackles and 1 TFL.
KJ Hamler, WR, Orlando Storm
One final Penn State player making his UFL debut this season is former wide receiver KJ Hamler. Hamlar is a former second-round pick of the Denver Broncos in the 2020 NFL draft, and he has spent time around the NFL with the Broncos, Indianapolis Colts, and Buffalo Bills. Hamler was released by the Bills at the end of training camp and did not play in the NFL last season. He signed with the Orlando Storm, another new UFL franchise, essentially replacing the San Antonio Brahmas.
Kevin McGuire is the lead writer for Nittany Lions Wire. Follow him on BlueSky, Threads or any of these other platforms.
Follow Nittany Lions Wire on X and Facebook.
This article originally appeared on Nittany Lions Wire: Every former Penn State football player in the UFL in 2026