Saints alumni are reigniting NFL dreams in the UFL, leveraging the spring league for a second chance and a pathway back to the big leagues.
As the United Football League (UFL) prepares for its 2026 season, several former New Orleans Saints have found new life in the spring league. For many, the UFL has become the premier "second chance" destination, a place to refine their game and stack enough film to earn a training camp invite back to the NFL.
The recent 2026 UFL Draft and quarterback allocation process saw a fresh wave of New Orleans alumni heading to teams like the Houston Gamblers and Birmingham Stallions.
The 2026 New Arrivals
The most notable names from the most recent draft cycle include young players who were recently in the Saints' building:
- Hunter Dekkers (QB) – Houston Gamblers: Dekkers had a whirlwind 2025 with the Saints, being signed and released nearly ten times as a depth option. Instead of waiting for a reserve/future contract in New Orleans, Dekkers opted for the UFL to get live game reps.
- Marcus Yarns (RB) – Houston Gamblers: An undrafted free agent from the Saints' 2025 class, Yarns faced a crowded backfield in New Orleans that featured Alvin Kamara and Kendre Miller. He joins Dekkers in Houston looking to prove his explosive playmaking ability.
2024-2025 Veterans and Draft Picks
The pipeline between New Orleans and the UFL is well-established. During the 2024 UFL College Draft, five Saints rookies were selected while they were still battling for spots in New Orleans. While some stayed in the NFL, others have used the UFL as a bridge:
- Dallin Holker
- Trajan Jeffcoat
- Sincere Haynesworth
- Mason Tipton
- Abram Smith
Many of these players, like Mason Tipton and Dallin Holker, were drafted by the UFL as a "contingency plan" while they were still on the Saints' roster. If an NFL team releases them, their UFL rights are already held by these specific franchises.
Notable Saints Alumni in the UFL
Several former "Who Dats" have already made a name for themselves in the spring league:
- Abram Smith (RB): A former Saints undrafted standout, Smith became the No. 1 overall pick in the XFL (pre-merger) and has been a dominant force for the D.C. Defenders.
- Kellen Mond (QB): Briefly a member of the Saints' quarterback room in 2024 to help install Klint Kubiak's offense, Mond moved to the San Antonio Brahmas to compete for a starting role.
- Alizé Mack (TE): A 2019 seventh-round pick for the Saints, Mack has found stability in the UFL with San Antonio after several years on the NFL practice squad carousel.
Why the UFL Matters for New Orleans
For the Saints organization, the UFL serves as a high-level "scouting lab." General Manager Mickey Loomis has frequently dipped into the spring league talent pool to fill out the bottom of the roster. Players like Barry Wesley (OT)have successfully made the jump from the Birmingham Stallions to the Saints' practice squad in recent years.
With the 2026 season kicking off in March, Saints fans will have plenty of familiar faces to track as these players attempt to turn spring success into a summer return to the Caesars Superdome.