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Locals In The UFL: 2024 Week Five Recap

Apr 28, 2024, 11:23 PM

Michigan-Panthers-UFL-Helmet...

A detailed view of a Michigan Panthers helmet is seen 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)

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

Local Players in the UFL: Week 5 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 fifth week of the UFL season:

#LocalsInTheUFL

Former Utah Utes

Francis Bernard – Linebacker – D.C. Defenders (2-3)

The former Utah linebacker and the Defenders suffered a 45-12 loss to the St. Louis Battlehawks on Sunday, April 28.

Next Game: vs. San Antonio Brahmas on Sunday, May 5 at 2 p.m. (MT) on FOX

T.J. Pledger – Running Back – Houston Roughnecks (1-4)

The former Utah running back had six carries for 15 yards and four receptions for 15 yards in Houston’s 32-9 loss to the Birmingham Stallions on Saturday, April 27.

Next Game: @ St. Louis Battlehawks on Saturday, May 4 at 1 p.m. (MT) on FOX

Darrin Paulo – Offensive Tackle – Memphis Showboats (1-4)

The former Utah offensive lineman and the Showboats suffered a 35-18 loss to the Michigan Panthers on Sunday, April 28.

Next Game: vs. Birmingham Stallions on Saturday, May 4 at 10 a.m. (MT) on ABC/ESPN+

Salesi Uhatafe – Offensive Tackle – Memphis Showboats (1-4)

The former Utah offensive lineman and the Showboats suffered a 35-18 loss to the Michigan Panthers on Sunday, April 28.

Next Game: vs. Birmingham Stallions on Saturday, May 4 at 10 a.m. (MT) on ABC/ESPN+

Troy Williams — Quarterback – Memphis Showboats (1-4)

The former Utah quarterback was 19/37 passing for 248 yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions in Memphis’ 35-18 loss to the Michigan Panthers on Sunday, April 28. He also ran the ball twice for 24 yards.

Next Game: vs. Birmingham Stallions on Saturday, May 4 at 10 a.m. (MT) on ABC/ESPN+

Corrion Ballard – Safety – Michigan Panthers (3-2)

The former Utah defensive back had three total tackles and two solo tackles in Michigan’s 35-18 win over the Memphis Showboats on Sunday, April 28.

Next Game: vs. Arlington Renegades on Sunday, May 5 at 11 a.m. (MT) on FOX

Mika Tafua — Defensive End — Michigan Panthers (3-2)

The former Utah defensive lineman had one tackle in Michigan’s 35-18 win over the Memphis Showboats on Sunday, April 28.

Next Game: vs. Arlington Renegades on Sunday, May 5 at 11 a.m. (MT) on FOX

Pita Taumoepenu – Linebacker – St. Louis Battlehawks (4-1)

The former Utah linebacker had three tackles, two sacks, and one tackle for loss in St. Louis’ 45-12 win over the D.C. Defenders on Sunday, April 28.

Next Game: vs. Houston Roughnecks on Saturday, May 4 at 1 p.m. (MT) on FOX

Former BYU Cougars

Tomasi Laulile — Defensive Tackle – Arlington Renegades (0-5)

The former BYU defensive lineman had one tackle in Arlington’s 25-15 loss to the San Antonio Brahmas on Saturday, April 27.

Next Game: @ Michigan Panthers on Sunday, May 5 at 11 a.m. (MT) on FOX

Kai Nacua – Safety – Michigan Panthers (3-2)

The former BYU defensive back had three total tackles, two solo tackles, one interception, and two pass breakups in Michigan’s 35-18 win over the Memphis Showboats on Sunday, April 28.

Next Game: vs. Arlington Renegades on Sunday, May 5 at 11 a.m. (MT) on FOX

Former Weber State Wildcats

Adam Rodriguez – Defensive End – Houston Roughnecks (1-4)

The former Weber State defensive lineman had four total tackles, three solo tackles, one sack, and one tackle for loss in Houston’s 32-9 loss to the Birmingham Stallions on Saturday, April 27.

Next Game: @ St. Louis Battlehawks on Saturday, May 4 at 1 p.m. (MT) on FOX

Former Southern Utah Thunderbirds

Brock Miller – Punter – Michigan Panthers (3-2)

The former Southern Utah punter punted four times with an average of 41.0 yards per kick in Michigan’s 35-18 win over the Memphis Showboats on Sunday, April 28.

Next Game: vs. Arlington Renegades on Sunday, May 5 at 11 a.m. (MT) on FOX

Former High School Standouts

Gabriel Sewell Jr. – Linebacker – Houston Roughnecks (1-4)

The former Desert Hills standout had three total tackles and two solo tackles in Houston’s 32-9 loss to the Birmingham Stallions on Saturday, April 27.

Next Game: @ St. Louis Battlehawks on Saturday, May 4 at 1 p.m. (MT) on FOX

RELATED: United Football League Reveals Inaugural Regular Season Schedule

2024 UFL Teams & Stadiums

USFL Conference

  • Birmingham Stallions – Protective Stadium
  • Houston Roughnecks – Rice Stadium
  • Memphis Showboats – Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium
  • Michigan Panthers – Ford Field

XFL Conference

  • Arlington Renegades – Choctaw Stadium
  • D.C Defenders – Audi Field
  • San Antonio Brahmas – The Alamodome
  • St. Louis Battlehawks – The Dome at America’s Center

Kyle Ireland is a Sports Producer and Locals in the NFL Insider for KSLSports.com. Listen to Ireland on Yards After College: An NFL Podcast. Follow him on X (@kyleireland), Threads (@kyleirelandksl), and Instagram (@kyleirelandksl).

Download the new & improved KSL Sports app from Utah’s sports leader. You can stream live radio, video and stay up to date on all of your favorite teams.

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