The Gunslingers: Quarterbacks Who Could Pivot to the UFL in 2025 — Part Two
Here is the second part of a two-part series highlighting some realistic quarterback options who could join the United Football League in 2025!
The Rookies
Last week, we detailed five veteran NFL quarterbacks who could make the jump to the United Football League in 2025. The remaining four quarterbacks in part two of our series are relative newcomers to the world of professional football. Sure, a few of these athletes have spent time in NFL camps, but they have not had any significant playing time in the league. The UFL could prove fruitful to the following signal callers as they navigate the ebbs and flows of employment in pro ball.
John Paddock - Previous Professional Experience: Atlanta Falcons
First on our list of potential UFL rookies is former Ball State Cardinal and Illinois Fighting Illini alum John Paddock. After putting up over 4,100 career passing yards and 27 passing touchdowns, Paddock would latch on with the Atlanta Falcons as a UDFA in 2024. He would unfortunately be cut in August ahead of the 2024 NFL season. The five-foot-eleven, 193-pounder from Bloomfield Hill, Michigan could be looking to make a move to the UFL in 2025. It would be a great opportunity for Paddock to catapult himself back into the NFL should he choose to pursue it this spring.
Best UFL Fit: DC Defenders, Houston Roughnecks, Memphis Showboats
(PHOTO CREDIT: Via Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports)
Gunnar Watson - Previous Professional Experience: Buffalo Bills (Rookie Minicamp)
Much like Paddock, our next quarterback could propel himself back into the NFL via the UFL this season. Former Troy University Quarterback Gunnar Watson is another perfect UFL candidate. After a stellar career as a Trojan from 2018-2023, Watson would receive a minicamp invite with the Buffalo Bills. Tasked to carve out a role against stiff competition in Quarterbacks Ben DiNucci and Anthony Brown, Watson would come up short on a contract ahead of the 2024 season. Despite putting up over 10,000 passing yards while at Troy, Watson finds himself without an NFL opportunity and could look to the UFL for answers. Keep an eye out for Watson’s name as the 2025 UFL season approaches.
Best UFL Fit: Memphis Showboats
Spencer Sanders - Previous Professional Experience: Kansas City Chiefs (Rookie Minicamp)
Here is another excellent UFL prospect at the quarterback position as the offseason rolls on. Former Oklahoma State and Ole Miss gunslinger Spencer Sanders could come in and compete for a starting job in the UFL in 2025. Awarded “Mr. Texas Football” in 2017, Sanders found great success at OSU before transferring to Ole Miss in 2023. All told, Sanders accounted for over 9,800 career passing yards and 88 total touchdowns spread across 52 games. Some questioned Sanders’ decision to enter the transfer portal knowing it would result in Sanders being a backup to Jaxson Dart at Ole Miss. The UFL could be the springboard Sanders needs to showcase his talents and get him on an NFL roster in the future.
Best UFL Fit: DC Defenders, Arlington Renegades
Zack Annexstad - Previous Professional Experience: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Rounding out our list of rookies is former Minnesota and Illinois State Quarterback Zack Annexstad. The six-foot-three, 220-pound gunslinger had an up-and-down collegiate career, to say the least. He would be named the starter as a true Freshman for the Golden Gophers back in 2018. After injuring his foot in practice in 2019, Annexstad would not attempt another pass for Minnesota before transferring to Illinois State in 2022. His final two seasons in college yielded around 3,800 all-purpose yards and 33 total touchdowns for the Redbirds. After going undrafted following the 2023 NFL Draft, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers would sign Annexstad to a UDFA deal. He would be cut among the first wave of roster cuts in August of 2024. Now a free agent, Annexstad joins the other members of this list who could potentially make a move to the UFL. With the offseason winding down, Annexstad would need to make a decision quickly before training camp starts.
Best UFL Fit: Memphis Showboats, Houston Roughnecks, San Antonio Brahmas
(PHOTO CREDIT: Via videtteonline.com / Reid Watkins, Sports Editor)
There you have it. Nine realistic quarterback options that could enter the UFL and compete for playing time in 2025. As is the case with any of these hypothetical lists, who knows if any of these players will suit up for a UFL team this season. The fun part is projecting the athletes and even a few prospective teams for each. Spring football can be a whirlwind, and plans change in an instant. Is it possible that none of the ten names mentioned above play in the UFL this upcoming season? Of course. But perhaps a player or two will sign with a UFL club before the start of training camp to compete for a coveted QB1 job.
Have another suggestion on a QB you would like to see in the league? Let us know!
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