The New Orleans Saints are set to sign St. Louis Battlehawks linebacker Mike Rose on Monday according to the X account MLFootball. The Battlehawks will retain Rose’s rights should he return to the UFL.
Mike Rose is six foot four and weighs 243 pounds. The 24-year-old from Brecksville, Ohio, signed with the Kansas City Chiefs as an undrafted free agent on May 9, 2022. In 2022, Rose made five tackles (4 solo, 1 assist) and one pass breakup in three preseason games. The Chiefs released Rose on August 27, 2022.
Then, the St. Louis Battlehawks drafted Rose in the ninth round (70th pick) in Phase 3 of the 2022 XFL Draft. In 2023, Rose made 35 tackles (15 solo, 20 assists), four tackles for loss, and one quarterback hit in eight games, of which two were starts.
The Battlehawks released Rose on August 2, 2023, and signed with the Miami Dolphins on August 3, 2023. Rose played two preseason games making six tackles (2 solo, 4 assists) before the Dolphins released him on August 24, 2023.
Rose re-signed with the St. Louis Battlehawks on December 20, 2023. In 2024, Rose made 45 tackles (25 solo, 20 assists), two tackles for loss, two interceptions for 35 yards, three pass breakups, and one forced fumble in seven games.
Collegiately, Rose played four seasons at Iowa State (2018-21) making 321 tackles (170 solo, 151 assists), 41 tackles for loss, 9.5 sacks, six interceptions for 14 yards, 14 pass breakups, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, and one touchdown in 49 games for the Cyclones.
Rose was named a two-time First Team All-Big 12 (2020-21), Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year in 2020, First Team All-American by Phil Steele and The Athletic in 2020, and Second Team All-American by the AP and Sporting News in 2020.
