The Houston Roughnecks re-signed offensive linemen Jack Kramer and Avery Gennesy, and defensive tackle Olive Sagapolu on Thursday according to the UFL Transactions page.
The Roughnecks released wide receiver Justin Hall as he is signing with an NFL team. The Roughnecks will retain Hall’s rights should he return to the UFL.
Jackson Kramer is six foot three and weighs 301 pounds. The 27-year-old from Plainfield, Illinois, was drafted by the Houston Roughnecks in the 2024 UFL Dispersal Draft. Kramer started 10 games for the Roughnecks in 2024. Houston’s offense ranked last in total touchdowns (17), seventh in total yards (2,550), rushing yards (744), yards per game (255.0), and fifth in passing yards (1,806).
Kramer played for the Linemen (TSL) in 2021. The New Orleans Breakers signed Kramer as a free agent on May 5, 2022. He played six games for the Breakers in 2022. In 2023, 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).
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.
Avery Gennesy is six foot four and weighs 231 pounds. The 30-year-old from Southaven, Mississippi, started 10 games for the Roughnecks in 2024. Houston’s offense ranked last in total touchdowns (17), seventh in total yards (2,550), rushing yards (744), yards per game (255.0), and fifth in passing yards (1,806).
The Houston Gamblers drafted Gennesy in the sixth round (48th pick) of the 2022 USFL Draft. Gennesy played ten games for the Gamblers in 2022. In 2023, Gennesy played ten games playing left tackle. Houston’s offense finished fifth in passing yards per game (174.0), seventh in passing touchdowns (9), tied second in interceptions allowed (10), fourth in sacks allowed (22), second in rushing yards per game (116.5), and first in rushing touchdowns (17).
Gennesy signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars as an undrafted free agent in 2017. He would later spend time with the Cleveland Browns, Denver Broncos, Tennessee Titans, Atlanta Legends (AAF), and the Houston Roughnecks (XFL).
Collegiately, Gennesy played two seasons at East Mississippi Community College (2012-13) playing 12 games for the Lions. In 2013, the Lions went 12-0 including a win over Georgia Military in the Mississippi Bowl. The offense averaged a NJCAA-best 62.2 points.
Then, Gennesy transferred to Texas A&M (2015-16) playing 26 games at left tackle for the Aggies. In 2015, the Aggies’ offense averaged 424.7 total yards per game (169.1 rushing and 255.6 passing).
Olive Sagapolu is six foot two and weighs 341 pounds. The 27-year-old from Pago Pago, American Samoa, was drafted by the Houston Roughnecks in the 2024 UFL Dispersal Draft. He made five tackles (5 solo), and one tackle for loss in three games for the Roughnecks in 2024 before an injury ended his season.
Sagapolu signed with the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent in 2019. After Green Bay, Sagapolu signed with the Detroit Lions later in the season and was placed on the practice squad. After being released by the Lions, he signed with the Atlanta Falcons on May 17, 2021, but was released on August 24, 2021.
Next, Sagapolu was drafted by the Maulers drafted Sagapolu in the 24th round (199th pick) in the 2022 USFL Draft. In 2022, Sagapolu had 28 tackles (16 solo, 12 assists), six tackles for loss, two sacks, one forced fumble, and one pass breakup in ten games for the Maulers.
In 2023, Sagapolu made 22 tackles (13 solo, 9 assists), three tackles for loss, four sacks, and one forced fumble in ten games for the Pittsburgh Maulers. After the season, Sagapolu signed with the Philadelphia Eagles on August 14, 2023. He played two preseason games with one tackle.
Collegiately, Sagapolu played four seasons at the University of Wisconsin-Madison (2016-18) with 61 tackles (31 solo, 30 assists), ten tackles for loss, six sacks, one interception for four yards, one pass breakup, and one fumble recovery in 44 games for the Badgers. He was an All-Big Ten Honorable Mention in 2017.
Justin Hall is five foot eight and weighs 189 pounds. The 25-year-old from Douglasville, Georgia, signed with the Las Vegas Raiders as an undrafted free agent on May 13, 2022. The Raiders released him on August 28, 2022.
Hall signed with the Houston Gamblers on November 3, 2022. In 2023, Hall made 47 catches for 515 yards, four touchdowns, one carry for -2 yards, one kick return for 13 yards, and 19 punt returns for 177 yards in 10 games. In 2024, Hall made 56 catches for 603 yards, three touchdowns, two carries for 8 yards, 19 punt returns for 154 yards, and one kick return for 24 yards in 10 games.
Collegiately, Hall played five seasons at Ball State (2017-21) making 318 catches for 3,385 yards, 18 touchdowns, 122 carries for 865 yards, 10 touchdowns, 36 kick returns for 939 yards, one touchdown, 21 punt returns for 170 yards, and one tackle (1 solo) in 54 games for the Cardinals. He was named a two-time First Team All-MAC, and winner of the Ball State John Hodge Award (most valuable freshman) in 2017, and the John Magnabosco Award (most outstanding player) in 2020.
