Locals In The UFL: 2024 Week Three Recap

Apr 14, 2024, 4:56 PM

Samson-Kai-Nacua-Michigan-Panthers-UFL...

Kai Nacua #21 of the Michigan Panthers celebrates an interception against the Houston Roughnecks during the second quarter in the game at Ford Field on April 14, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images for UFL)

(Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images for UFL)

BY KYLE IRELAND

Sports Producer & Locals in the NFL Insider

SALT LAKE CITY – Multiple players with ties to the state of Utah participated in the third week of the 2024 United Football League season.

Local Players in the UFL: Week 3 Recap

The UFL is a new spring professional football league created from a merger of the XFL and USFL in 2023.

Here is how the local players performed during the third week of the UFL season:

#LocalsInTheUFL

Former Utah Utes

Francis Bernard – Linebacker – D.C. Defenders (2-1)

The former Utah linebacker had six total tackles, two solo tackles, 0.5 sacks, and one pass breakup in D.C.’s 29-28 win over the Arlington Renegades on Saturday, April 13.

Next Game: @ Birmingham Stallions on Saturday, April 20 at 5 p.m. (MT) on FOX

Comeback W in Arlington 🛡️😏 pic.twitter.com/O8OScfudNH

— D.C. Defenders (@XFLDefenders) April 13, 2024

T.J. Pledger – Running Back – Houston Roughnecks (0-3)

The former Utah running back had 14 carries for 34 yards and four receptions for 35 yards in Houston’s 34-20 loss to the Michigan Panthers on Sunday, April 14. Pledger also had one tackle as a defender.

Next Game: vs. Arlington Renegades on Sunday, April 21 at 12 p.m. (MT) on FS1

A great sequence for our Roughnecks! 🎯@uno_tj | #DrillbabyDrill pic.twitter.com/dqPtWn5gvC

— Houston Roughnecks (@XFLRoughnecks) April 14, 2024

Darrin Paulo – Offensive Tackle – Memphis Showboats (1-2)

The former Utah offensive lineman and the Showboats suffered a 33-14 loss to the Birmingham Stallions on Saturday, April 13.

Next Game: @ St. Louis Battlehawks on Saturday, April 20 at 10:30 a.m. (MT) on ABC/ESPN+

Salesi Uhatafe – Offensive Tackle – Memphis Showboats (1-2)

The former Utah offensive lineman and the Showboats suffered a 33-14 loss to the Birmingham Stallions on Saturday, April 13.

Next Game: @ St. Louis Battlehawks on Saturday, April 20 at 10:30 a.m. (MT) on ABC/ESPN+

Troy Williams — Quarterback – Memphis Showboats (1-2)

The former Utah quarterback was 11/19 passing for 100 yards and one interception in Memphis’ 33-14 loss to the Birmingham Stallions on Saturday, April 13. Williams also ran the ball one time for two yards.

Next Game: @ St. Louis Battlehawks on Saturday, April 20 at 10:30 a.m. (MT) on ABC/ESPN+

We will come back stronger. pic.twitter.com/mm9dasfxQZ

— Memphis Showboats (@USFLShowboats) April 14, 2024

Corrion Ballard – Safety – Michigan Panthers (2-1)

The former Utah defensive back had three total tackles and one solo tackle in Michigan’s 34-20 win over the Houston Roughnecks on Sunday, April 14.

Next Game: @ San Antonio Brahmas on Saturday, April 20 at 5 p.m. (MT) on FOX

Mika Tafua — Defensive End — Michigan Panthers (2-1)

The former Utah defensive lineman had two total tackles and one solo tackle in Michigan’s 34-20 win over the Houston Roughnecks on Sunday, April 14.

Next Game: @ San Antonio Brahmas on Saturday, April 20 at 5 p.m. (MT) on FOX

Defended our turf 😤#LetsHunt 🐾 pic.twitter.com/ZcaevbZNvz

— Michigan Panthers (@USFLPanthers) April 14, 2024

Pita Taumoepenu – Linebacker – St. Louis Battlehawks (2-1)

The former Utah linebacker had three total tackles and one solo tackle in St. Louis’ 31-24 win over the San Antonio Brahmas on Sunday, April 14.

Next Game: vs. Memphis Showboats on Saturday, April 20 at 10:30 a.m. (MT) on ABC/ESPN+

KAWNQUERED THE ALAMO 😤 pic.twitter.com/rfSPXPgju4

— St. Louis Battlehawks (@XFLBattlehawks) April 14, 2024

Former BYU Cougars

Tomasi Laulile — Defensive Tackle – Arlington Renegades (0-3)

The former BYU defensive lineman had two tackles in Arlington’s 29-28 loss to the D.C. Defenders on Saturday, April 13.

Next Game: @ Houston Roughnecks on Sunday, April 21 at 12 p.m. (MT) on FS1

Tough loss pic.twitter.com/XOsLsSpMsG

— Arlington Renegades (@XFLRenegades) April 13, 2024

Kai Nacua – Safety – Michigan Panthers (2-1)

The former BYU defensive back had seven total tackles, five solo tackles, one interception, and two pass breakups in Michigan’s 34-20 win over the Houston Roughnecks on Sunday, April 14.

Next Game: @ San Antonio Brahmas on Saturday, April 20 at 5 p.m. (MT) on FOX

.@KaiNacua is still a ball hawk. 🤙#LocalsInTheUFL #UFL #BYU #GoCougs #BYUFOOTBALL https://t.co/ONccCctsWg

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) April 14, 2024

Former Weber State Wildcats

Adam Rodriguez – Defensive End – Houston Roughnecks (0-3)

The former Weber State defensive lineman and the Roughnecks suffered a 34-20 loss to the Michigan Panthers on Sunday, April 14.

Next Game: vs. Arlington Renegades on Sunday, April 21 at 12 p.m. (MT) on FS1

Onto next week for us. pic.twitter.com/trNGj86SDF

— Houston Roughnecks (@XFLRoughnecks) April 14, 2024

Former Southern Utah Thunderbirds

Brock Miller – Punter – Michigan Panthers (2-1)

The former Southern Utah punter punted twice with an average of 44.0 yards per kick in Michigan’s 34-20 win over the Houston Roughnecks on Sunday, April 14.

Next Game: @ San Antonio Brahmas on Saturday, April 20 at 5 p.m. (MT) on FOX

Former High School Standouts

Gabriel Sewell Jr. – Linebacker – Houston Roughnecks (0-3)

The former Desert Hills standout had five total tackles, two solo tackles, two tackles for loss, and one pass breakup in Houston’s 34-20 loss to the Michigan Panthers on Sunday, April 14.

Next Game: vs. Arlington Renegades on Sunday, April 21 at 12 p.m. (MT) on FS1