The Birmingham Stallions signed wide receiver Austin Watkins Jr. and defensive back Jayden Price on Wednesday according to the UFL Transactions page.
Austin Watkins Jr. is six foot three and weighs 210 pounds. The 26-year-old from Fort Myers, Florida signed with the San Francisco 49ers as an undrafted free agent on May 14, 2021. He spent the season on the practice squad. Next, he signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on January 31, 2022, but was released on May 16, 2022.
Then, Watkins Jr. signed with the Saskatchewan Roughriders on August 7, 2022. The Roughriders released him on August 18, 2022. The Tampa Bay Bandits (USFL) signed Watkins Jr. on October 22, 2022. The Bandits became the Memphis Showboats and they traded him to the Birmingham Stallions on January 11, 2023.
In 2023, Watkins Jr. made 16 catches for 197 yards and one touchdown in seven games. In the 2023 USFL playoffs, Watkins Jr. appeared in two games as the Stallions won their second USFL championship over the Pittsburgh Maulers.
The Stallions released Watkins Jr. on July 22, 2023. In 2023, Watkins Jr. made 16 catches for 257 yards, and two touchdowns in four preseason games. He spent the season on the practice squad. The Browns released him on November 13, 2023, and he signed with the Philadelphia Eagles on January 18, 2024. In 2024, Watkins Jr. made four catches for 33 yards in three preseason games. The Eagles released him on August 27, 2024.
Collegiately, Watkins Jr. played two seasons at Dodge City Community College (2016-17) making 62 catches for 706 yards, five touchdowns, six carries for 22 yards, and one tackle (1 solo) in 19 games for the Conquistadors.
Next, he transferred to the University of Alabama-Birmingham (2018-20) making 98 catches for 1,642 yards, nine touchdowns, one carry for -1 yard, and two tackles (2 solo) in 25 games for the Blazers.
Jayden Price is six foot and weighs 184 pounds. The 24-year-old from Derby, Kansas, signed with the Atlanta Falcons as an undrafted free agent on May 10, 2024. He played three preseason games making 14 tackles (9 solo, 5 assists). The Falcons released him on August 27, 2024.
The Hamilton Tiger-Cats signed Price on September 8, 2024. He spent a month on the practice squad then was released on October 8, 2024.
Collegiately, Price played five seasons at North Dakota State (2019-23) making 107 tackles (73 solo, 34 assists), four tackles for loss, one sack, three interceptions for nine yards, 17 pass breakups, one forced fumble, three fumble recoveries, 63 punt returns for 910 yards, and five touchdowns in 71 games for the Bisons.
He was named Second Team All-MVFC, STATS Third Team All-American, and Phil Steele Fourth Team All-American in 2021, a two-time All-MVFC Honorable Mention, and a two-time National Champion.
