The Birmingham Stallions signed linebacker Deandre Johnson and released wide receiver Gary Jennings on Wednesday according to the UFL Transactions page.
Deandre Johnson is six foot three and weighs 252 pounds. The 25-year-old from Miami, Florida, signed with the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent on May 13, 2022. In 2022, Johnson made two tackles (1 solo, 1 assist), and half a sack in two preseason games. The Dolphins released him on August 23, 2022.
The Houston Roughnecks drafted Johnson in the first round (4th pick) in Phase 3 of the 2023 XFL Draft. In 2023, he made nine tackles (6 solos, 3 assists), one sack, and one forced fumble in nine games. The Roughnecks released him on December 15, 2023. The Green Bay Packers signed Johnson on January 16, 2024, and released him on May 6, 2024.
Collegiately, Johnson played four seasons at Tennessee (2017-20) making 58 tackles (33 solos, 25 assists), 15.5 tackles for loss, 10 sacks, one pass breakup, and five forced fumbles in 41 games for the Volunteers. Then, he transferred to Miami (FL) in 2021 making 26 tackles (14 solos, 12 assists), 8.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, and one forced fumble in 12 games for the Hurricanes.
Gary Jennings is six foot one and weighs 216 pounds. The 27-year-old from Stafford, Virginia, signed with the Birmingham Stallions on December 6, 2023. In 2024, Jennings made 2 catches for 20 yards, 21 kick returns for 504 yards, and 2 punt returns for 7 yards in 9 games.
In the 2024 UFL playoffs, Jennings made 4 catches for 78 yards, and one kick return for 27 yards in two games helping the Stallions win their third consecutive championship (USFL, UFL). The Stallions re-signed Jennings on August 27, 2024.
The Seattle Seahawks drafted Jennings in the fourth round (120th pick) of the 2019 NFL Draft. Jennings also spent time with the Miami Dolphins, Buffalo Bills, Baltimore Ravens, Indianapolis Colts, Las Vegas Raiders, and Kansas City Chiefs.
The St. Louis Battlehawks in the eighth round (59th pick) of the 2022 XFL Draft. He made 11 catches for 149 yards, 3 touchdowns, and 6 carries for 46 yards in 9 games for the St. Louis Battlehawks (XFL) in 2023. After the season, Jennings signed with the Carolina Panthers on May 16, 2023. He made 5 catches for 72 yards, and 1 touchdown in three preseason games.
Collegiately, Jennings played four seasons at West Virginia (2015-18) with 168 catches for 2,294 yards, 17 touchdowns, 7 kick returns for 145 yards, and 34 punt returns for 108 yards in 50 games for the Mountaineers. He was named Second Team All-Big 12 in 2017.
