The Houston Roughnecks signed running back Brian Hightower and offensive lineman Isaiah Battle on Tuesday according to the UFL Transactions page.
Brian Hightower is six foot three and weighs 215 pounds. The 24-year-old from Los Angeles, California, went undrafted in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Collegiately, Hightower played two seasons at Miami (FL) (2018-19) making 12 catches for 148 yards, one touchdown, and four tackles (3 solo, 1 assist) in 18 games for the Hurricanes. Next, he transferred to Illinois (2020-22) making 48 catches for 661 yards, five touchdowns, and one tackle (1 solo) in 24 games for the Fighting Illini. Then, Hightower transferred to California in 2023 making 10 catches for 101 yards in 10 games for the Golden Bears.
Isaiah Battle is six foot seven and weighs 310 pounds. The 31-year-old from Brooklyn, New York, was drafted by the Houston Roughnecks in the 2024 UFL Dispersal Draft and was released on March 10, 2024.
In 2023, Battle played five games, of which four were starts at tackle for the New Jersey Generals. The Pittsburgh Maulers drafted Battle in the sixth round (50th pick) in the 2022 USFL Draft. He did not play for the Maulers in 2022. He was taken in the 2024 UFL Disposal Draft.
Before New Jersey, Battle was drafted by the St. Louis Rams in the fifth round of the 2015 NFL Supplemental Draft. He never played a game for the Rams. He later had stints with the Kansas City Chiefs, Seattle Seahawks, and Carolina Panthers. In 2020, he played two games for the Seattle Dragons (XFL). Collegiately, Battle played three seasons at Clemson (2012-14), playing 27 games, of which 15 were starts for the Tigers.
