The Houston Gamblers released quarterback Terry Wilson, wide receiver Tyler Palka, tight end Brandon Barnes, offensive linemen Brandon Hitner and Jordan Steckler, defensive lineman Kristjan Sokoli, and defensive backs Malcolm Washington, Andrew Soroh, and Isaiah Lewis.
Terry Wilson is six foot two and weighs 207 pounds. The 25-year-old from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, completed 11 of 17 passes (64.7%) for 138 yards, one touchdown, and 18 carries for 95 yards in five games, of which he started one for the Gamblers.
The Gamblers signed Wilson as a free agent on May 27, 2022. He appeared in one game for the Gamblers in 2022. Before Houston, Wilson was invited to the Dallas Cowboys rookie minicamp but was never offered a contract.
Collegiately, Wilson redshirted at Oregon in 2016 before transferring to Garden City Community College in 2017 completing 194 of 337 passes (57.6%) for 2,113 yards, 26 touchdowns, 11 interceptions, 126 carries for 518 yards, and five touchdowns in 11 games for the Bronco Busters.
Next, Wilson transferred to Kentucky (2018-20) completing 338 of 520 passes (65%) for 3,436 yards, 20 touchdowns, 12 interceptions, 256 carries for 1,015 yards, and ten touchdowns in 27 games for the Wildcats.
Then, Wilson transferred to New Mexico in 2021 completing 101 of 174 passes (58%) for 1,058 yards, 7 touchdowns, 4 interceptions, six carries for 52 yards, and one touchdown in seven games for the Lobos.
Tyler Palka is six foot one and weighs 200 pounds. The 28-year-old from Temperance, Michigan, made one catch for four yards in three games for the Gamblers in 2023. The Gamblers drafted Palka in the ninth round (346th pick) of the 2022 USFL Supplemental Draft. In 2022, Palka caught 18 passes for 188 yards in ten games, of which two were starts for the Gamblers.
Before Houston, Palka was invited to the Pittsburgh Steelers rookie minicamp in 2019 but was never offered a contract. Shortly after, he signed with the Ottawa Redblacks. In 2020, Palka played three games for the D.C. Defenders (XFL) before the league ceased operations due to COVID-19. Next, Palka played for the Jousters (TSL) in 2021 with nine catches for 114 yards.
Collegiately, Palka played three seasons at Saginaw Valley State (2013-15) as a quarterback completing 76 of 143 passes (53.1%) for 843 yards, 5 touchdowns, 6 interceptions, 85 carries for 280 yards, and one touchdown in 17 games for the Cardinals.
Then, Palka transferred to Gannon University (2016-17) completing 22 of 56 passes (39.3%) for 283 yards, one touchdown, 6 interceptions, 111 carries for 626 yards, 6 touchdowns, 50 catches for 662 yards, and five touchdowns in 21 games for the Golden Knights.
Brandon Barnes is six foot four and weighs 255 pounds. The 29-year-old from Phenix City, Alabama, made three catches for 16 yards in eight games for the Gamblers in 2023. The Gamblers drafted Barnes in the 34th round (264th pick) of the 2022 USFL Draft. Barnes made eight catches for 75 yards, and one touchdown in ten games for the Gamblers.
Before Houston, Barnes signed with the New York Jets as an undrafted free agent in 2017. In 2019, he played eight games for the Memphis Express (AAF) with nine catches for 75 yards before the league folded. After the season, he had a brief stint with the Oakland Raiders.
In 2020, Barnes played five games for the Los Angeles Wildcats (XFL) with three catches for 12 yards, and one touchdown before the league ceased operations due to COVID-19.
Collegiately, Barnes played four seasons at Alabama State (2013-16) with 29 catches for 436 yards, and six touchdowns in 40 games, of which 23 were starts for the Hornets.
Brandon Hitner is six foot six and weighs 305 pounds. The 28-year-old from Glen Mills, Pennsylvania, played ten games, of which 12 were starts for the Gamblers in 2023 playing left guard. The Gamblers drafted Hitner in the fifth round (37th pick) of the 2022 USFL Draft. He played ten games, of which nine were starts for the Gamblers in 2022.
Before Houston, Hitner tried out for the Indianapolis Colts, Buffalo Bills, and Los Angeles Rams. He also had a brief stint with the Ottawa Redblacks of the CFL.
Collegiately, Hitner played four seasons at Villanova (2014-17) playing 28 games for the Wildcats. In 2016, Hitner was named to the CAA Football All-Academic Team and was named a recipient of the CAA Commissioner’s Academic Award in 2017.
Jordan Steckler is six foot five and weighs 305 pounds. The 27-year-old from Two Rivers, Wisconsin, played six games, of which five were starts for the Gamblers in 2023. The Gamblers signed Steckler as a free agent on February 19, 2023.
Before Houston, Steckler signed with the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent on May 5, 2020. He had stints with the New England Patriots, Houston Texans, and Cleveland Browns. In 2021, he played two regular season games for the Houston Texans.
Collegiately, Steckler played five seasons at Northern Illinois (2015-19) playing 47 games, of which 43 were starts for the Huskies. He was named First Team All-MAC by Pro Football Focus in 2019.
Kristjan Sokoli is six foot five and weighs 300 pounds. The 31-year-old from Shkoder, Alberta, made nine tackles (7 solo, 2 assists), two tackles for loss, and one sack in eight games, of which seven were starts for the Gamblers in 2023.
The Gamblers drafted Sokoli in the second round (293rd pick) of the 2022 USFL Draft. He made three tackles (3 solo) and one tackle for loss in ten games, of which three were starts for the Gamblers. Before Houston, he was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the sixth round (214th pick) of the 2015 NFL Draft. He played one game for the Seahawks.
Next, he had stints with the Indianapolis Colts, New Orleans Saints, and New York Giants. In 2021, he played for the Alphas (TSL).
Collegiately, Sokoli played five seasons at the University of Buffalo (2010-14) with 95 tackles (39 solo, 56 assists), 15 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, eight pass breakups, and one forced fumble in 46 games, of which 24 were starts for the Bulls.
Malcolm Washington is six foot two and weighs 183 pounds. The 28-year-old from Houston, Texas, made two tackles (2 solo) in five games for the Gamblers in 2023. The Gamblers signed Washington as a free agent in 2023.
In 2022, Washington played for the Stuttgart Surge (ELF) with 58 tackles (36 solo, 22 assists), one tackle for loss, four interceptions, and four pass breakups in 12 games, of which 11 were starts. Before Stuttgart, Washington signed with the Edmonton Eskimos (now Elks) in 2020 but the season was canceled due to COVID-19. In 2019, Washington played for the Allgäu Comets with 32 tackles, 20 pass breakups, and ten interceptions in 14 games.
Collegiately, Washington played two seasons at Fresno State (2014-15) with 45 tackles (36 solo, 9 assists), one tackle for loss, and seven pass breakups in 26 games for the Bulldogs.
Then, he transferred to Northern Iowa (2016-17) with 91 tackles (66 solo, 25 assists), three tackles for loss, six interceptions for 72 yards, one touchdown, and 13 pass breakups in 21 games for the Panthers. He was named Second Team All-MVFC in 2016.
Andrew Soroh is six foot and weighs 185 pounds. The 27-year-old from Miami, Florida, made 20 tackles (12 solo, 8 assists), and one pass breakup in nine games for the Gamblers in 2023. The Gamblers drafted Soroh in the 18th round (147th pick) of the 2022 USFL Draft. He made nine tackles (8 solo, 1 assist) and one tackle for loss in ten games for the Gamblers in 2022.
Before Houston, Soroh signed with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2019 after impressing them in rookie minicamp. In 2020, he played for the New York Guardians (XFL) with 20 tackles (13 solo, 7 assists), and one interception in five games before the league ceased operations due to COVID-19.
Collegiately, Soroh played four seasons at Florida Atlantic (2015-18) with 155 tackles (84 solo, 71 assists), 11.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, three interceptions for five yards, six pass breakups, and one fumble recovery in 48 games for the Owls.
Isaiah Lewis is six foot and weighs 190 pounds. The 24-year-old from Granite Bay, California, made eight tackles (5 solo, 3 assists) in five games for the Gamblers in 2023. The Gamblers signed Lewis as a free agent on May 9, 2023, after Lewis went undrafted in 2023.
Collegiately, Lewis played five seasons at Colorado (2018-22) with 126 tackles (93 solo, 33 assists), 2.5 tackles for loss, one sack, three interceptions for 38 yards, and 11 pass breakups in 43 games for the Buffaloes. He is a Two Time PAC-12 Honorable Mention.
