On Friday, the UFL held a disposal draft having active teams drafting players of the teams that did not make it in the XFL and USFL merger. The Breakers were not included in the merger and will not play in the UFL in 2024. Here are the players who found new homes on Friday.
Keonte Schad- Birmingham Stallions
Keonte Schad is six foot two and weighs 284 pounds. The 25-year-old from Madison, Wisconsin, made 26 tackles (15 solo, 11 assists), nine tackles for loss, and 7.5 sacks in ten games for the New Orleans Breakers in 2023. The Breakers signed Schad as a free agent on March 23, 2023. In addition, he played for the Orlando Guardians (XFL) in 2023 with two tackles (2 assists) in four games.
Collegiately, Schad played two seasons at Ellsworth Community College (2017-18) with 71 tackles (43 solo, 28 assists), 19.5 tackles for loss, one sack, three forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries in 18 games for the Panthers. Next, he transferred to Minnesota (2019-20) with 29 tackles (12 solo, 17 assists) in 17 games for the Golden Gophers.
Then, Schad transferred to Oregon State in 2021 with 46 tackles (14 solo, 32 assists), six tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, two pass breakups, and one fumble recovery in 13 games for the Beavers. He was named Phil Steele Fourth Team All-Pac 12 in 2021.
Sage Surratt- Memphis Showboats
Sage Surratt is six foot three and weighs 234 pounds. The 25-year-old from Lincolnton, North Carolina, made 50 catches for 552 yards, and one touchdown in ten games for the Breakers in 2023. In the playoffs, Surratt made seven catches for 50 yards, and one touchdown against the Birmingham Stallions. The Breakers signed Surratt as a free agent on February 15, 2023.
Before New Orleans, Surratt signed with the Detroit Lions as an undrafted free agent in 2021. Then, the Birmingham Stallions drafted Surratt in the sixth round (322nd pick) of the 2022 USFL Supplemental Draft. In 2022, Surratt made 11 catches for 72 yards in six games for the Stallions.
In the playoffs, Surratt made one catch for nine yards in two games as the Stallions won the USFL Championship over the Philadelphia Stars. After the season, Surratt signed with the Los Angeles Chargers.
Collegiately, Surratt played three seasons at Wake Forest (2018-20) with 107 catches for 1,582 yards, 15 touchdowns, and 12 punt returns for 91 yards in 22 games for the Demon Decans. He was named First Team All-ACC in 2019.
Anree Saint-Amour- Birmingham Stallions
Anree Saint-Amour is six foot three and weighs 260 pounds. The 27-year-old from Suwanee, Georgia, made 30 tackles (17 solo, 13 assists), seven tackles for loss, six sacks, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery in ten games for the Breakers in 2023.
The Breakers drafted Saint-Amour in the third round (24th pick) of the 2022 USFL Draft. In 2022, Saint-Amour made 37 tackles (20 solo, 17 assists), nine tackles for loss, and two sacks in ten games for the Breakers.
Before New Orleans, Saint-Amour signed with the Minnesota Vikings as an undrafted free agent in 2019. He later signed with the B.C. Lions and was placed on the practice squad. In 2021, he played for the Conquerors (TSL).
Collegiately, Saint-Amour played four seasons at Georgia Tech (2015-18) with 103 tackles (68 solo, 35 assists), 23.5 tackles for loss, two interceptions for 19 yards, one touchdown, 11.5 sacks, four forced fumbles, and three fumble recoveries in 44 games for the Yellow Jackets.
Wes Hills- Michigan Panthers
Wes Hills is six foot two and weighs 218 pounds. The 28-year-old from Wildwood, New Jersey, had 180 carries for 679 yards, ten touchdowns, and 38 catches for 278 yards in ten games for the Breakers in 2023. He finished the season as the league’s rushing leader and was named to the All-USFL Team. The Breakers signed Hills as a free agent on February 17, 2023.
Before New Orleans, Hills signed with the Arizona Cardinals as an undrafted free agent in 2019. Later, he signed with the Detroit Lions and was promoted to the active roster playing one game with ten carries for 21 yards, two touchdowns, and two catches for one yard.
After Detroit, Hills signed with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats (CFL) in 2021. He played two seasons in Hamilton with 73 carries for 404 yards, one touchdown, and 11 catches for 105 yards in eight games.
Collegiately, Hills played four seasons at Delaware (2013-16) with 286 carries for 1,849 yards, 14 touchdowns, and ten catches for 67 yards in 32 games for the Fightin’ Blue Hens. He was named Third Team All-CAA in 2016.
Then, Hills transferred to Slippery Rock in 2018 with 246 carries for 1,714 yards, 17 touchdowns, and 28 catches for 193 yards in 12 games for the Rock. He was named First Team All-PSAC West in 2018.
Jerod Fernandez- Michigan Panthers
Jerod Fernandez is five foot eleven and weighs 227 pounds. The 29-year-old from Sanford, Florida, made 65 tackles (39 solo, 26 assists), three tackles for loss, half a sack, one interception, and five pass breakups in ten games for the Breakers in 2023. In the playoffs, Fernandez made 12 tackles (8 solo, 4 assists), two tackles for loss, and half a sack.
The Breakers drafted Fernandez in the 21st round (167th pick) of the 2022 USFL Draft. Fernandez made 86 tackles (48 solo, 38 assists), nine tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, one fumble recovery, and one pass breakup in nine games for the Breakers in 2022.
Before New Orleans, Fernandez signed with the Washington Redskins as an undrafted free agent in 2018. Then, he spent two seasons with the Ottawa Redblacks with 54 tackles in 12 games, of which 11 were starts.
Collegiately, Fernandez played four seasons at North Carolina State (2014-17) with 311 tackles (120 solo, 191 assists), 19 tackles for loss, two sacks, five interceptions for 69 yards, 12 pass breakups, and two forced fumbles in 50 games for the Wolfpack.
Vontae Diggs- Memphis Showboats
Vontae Diggs is six foot two and weighs 229 pounds. The 27-year-old from Downers Grove, Illinois, made 69 tackles (41 solo, 28 assists), six tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, three interceptions for 43 yards, one touchdown, and six pass breakups in ten games for the Breakers in 2023. In the 2023 playoffs against Birmingham, Diggs made nine tackles (6 solo, 3 assists).
New Orleans drafted Diggs in the 30th round (245th pick) of the 2022 USFL Draft. Diggs made 75 tackles (51 solo, 24 assists), seven tackles for loss, two sacks, one interception for 37 yards, one touchdown, and two pass breakups in ten games.
Before New Orleans, Diggs attended rookie minicamp for the Washington Redskins in 2018. In 2019, he split the season with the Atlanta Legends (AAF) and Columbus Destroyers (AFL). After those seasons, Diggs signed with the Edmonton Eskimos with 74 tackles, two sacks, and one interception for 19 yards in 18 games, of which 16 were starts.
Collegiately, Diggs played four seasons at Connecticut (2014-17) with 183 tackles (100 solo, 83 assists), 11.5 tackles for loss, one sack, four pass breakups, and three forced fumbles in 46 games for the Huskies.
Marcus Tatum- Houston Roughnecks
Marcus Tatum is six foot six and weighs 300 pounds. The 26-year-old from Daytona Beach, Florida, played ten games, of which eight were starts for the New Orleans Breakers in 2023.
Tatum was part of an offensive line that helped quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson lead the league in average passing yards (243.3), and running back Wes Hillis led the lead in rushing yards (679).
Collegiately, Tatum played four seasons at Tennessee (2016-19) playing 28 games at right tackle for the Volunteers. Tatum was part of an offensive line that paved the way for 215 rushing yards and 412 total yards against the Kentucky Wildcats in 2018. Then, Tatum transferred to UCF in 2021 playing 13 games at right tackle for the Knights. He was named Second Team All-AAC by Phil Steele.
Jack Kramer- Houston Roughnecks
Jackson Kramer is six foot three and weighs 301 pounds. The 26-year-old from Plainfield, Illinois, played ten games for the Breakers in 2023 playing center. Kramer was part of an offensive line that helped quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson lead the league in average passing yards (243.3), and running back Wes Hillis led the lead in rushing yards (679).
The Breakers signed Kramer as a free agent on May 5, 2022. He played six games for the Breakers in 2022. Before New Orleans, Kramer played for the Linemen (TSL) in 2021.
Collegiately, Kramer played four seasons at Bowling Green (2016-19) playing 42 games for the Falcons. In 2019, Kramer was part of an offensive line that led the way for 3,829 yards of total offense and blocked for 1,941 total rushing yards. He was named Third Team All-MAC in 2018.
Reggie Howard Jr.- Houston Roughnecks
Reggie Howard Jr. is six foot three and weighs 290 pounds. The 27-year-old from Cincinnati, Ohio, made 20 tackles (10 solo, 10 assists), two tackles for loss, and 1.5 sacks in ten games for the Breakers in 2023. The Tampa Bay Bandits drafted Howard Jr. in the 25th pick (207th pick) of the 2022 USFL Draft. He played seven games for the Bandits with 24 tackles (13 solo, 11 assists) and two sacks in seven games before the Bandits released him on May 31, 2022.
Then, he signed with the Breakers. He made six tackles (3 solo, 3 assists), three tackles for loss, three sacks, and one pass breakup in three games. He was named a USFL All-Star in 2022.
Before New Orleans, Howard Jr. signed with the Los Angeles Chargers as an undrafted free agent in 2019. He would also have stints with the Los Angeles Wildcats (XFL) and Edmonton Elks (CFL).
Collegiately, Howard Jr. played one season at Fort Scott Community College in 2016 with 60 tackles (24 solo, 36 assists), 21.5 tackles for loss, seven sacks, two forced fumbles, and two pass breakups in 11 games for the Greyhounds.
Then, he transferred to Toledo (2017-18) with 64 tackles (30 solo, 34 assists), 19.5 tackles for loss, three sacks, and two forced fumbles in 26 games for the Rockets.
Vinny Papale- Memphis Showboats
Vinny Papale is six foot one and weighs 205 pounds. The 27-year-old from Cherry Hill, New Jersey, made 33 catches for 345 yards, three touchdowns, one kick return for three yards, and 12 punt returns for 78 yards in ten games for the Memphis Showboats in 2023. He was named to the All-USFL Team in 2023.
The Showboats (then Tampa Bay Bandits) drafted Papale in the 17th round (140th pick) of the 2022 USFL Draft. Before Tampa Bay, Papale signed with the Montreal Alouettes in 2020 but the season was canceled. Then, he played for the Conquerors (TSL) in 2021 with nine catches for 105 yards and two touchdowns.
Collegiately, Papale played four seasons at Delaware (2015-18) with 55 catches for 866 yards, six touchdowns, one carry for eight yards, four kick returns for 85 yards, and 17 punt returns for 61 yards in 34 games for the Fightin’ Blue Hens.
Alex Thomas- Michigan Panthers
Aleix Thomas is six foot one and weighs 195 pounds. The 27-year-old from Lauderdale Lakes, Florida, made 17 tackles (14 solo, 3 assists), two interceptions, and six pass breakups in ten games for the New Orleans Breakers in 2023. In the playoffs against the Birmingham Stallions, Thomas made one tackle (1 solo) and one forced fumble.
Collegiately, Thomas played three seasons at Cincinnati (2014-16) with 48 tackles (28 solo, 20 assists), one tackle for loss, four interceptions, and eight pass breakups in 21 games for the Bearcats.
Then, he transferred to Ferris State (2019, 2021) with 47 tackles (35 solo, 12 assists), one tackle for loss, eight interceptions for 121 yards, one touchdown, 21 pass breakups, and one fumble recovery in 24 games for the Bulldogs. He is a member of the 2019 GLIAC Championship team.
Davis Cheek- Michigan Panthers
Davis Cheek is six foot three and weighs 217 pounds. The 24-year-old from Matthews, North Carolina, signed with the New Orleans Breakers as a free agent on January 14, 2023, and was on their practice squad. Before New Orleans, Cheek signed with the Carolina Panthers as an undrafted free agent in 2022.
Collegiately, Cheek played five seasons at Elon University (2017-21) completing 701 of 1,149 passes (61%) for 8,548 yards, 51 touchdowns, 21 interceptions, 224 carries for 147 yards, six touchdowns, and one catch for three yards in 40 games for the Phoenix. Cheek was named CAA Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2016 and Second Team All-CAA in 2021.
