The UFL to NFL pipeline is red hot. Two linebackers – Chris Garrett and Joel Iyiegbuniwe – of the Battlehawks and Brahmas respectively, are headed back to the NFL.
The #UFL has announced the following transactions pic.twitter.com/iQ4EDxmnEz
— UFL Communications Department (@UFL_PR) August 19, 2024
Chris Garrett | St. Louis Battlehawks
BREAKING: UFL standout linebacker Chris Garrett is signing a one-year deal with the Arizona #Cardinals, league sources exclusively tell @_MLFootball. @Garrettchris52 was the UFL special teams player of the year.
A seventh-round pick by the #Rams, 26 years old & is 6-foot-4. pic.twitter.com/ido4ne9htr
— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) August 19, 2024
Chris Garrett has had quite the journey in the spring football scene. He spent some time in the USFL in 2023 with the Houston Gamblers, but got picked up by the St. Louis Battlehawks as the leagues merged. While he was originally cut in Training Camp, St. Louis brought Chris back – who immediately made an impact.
Garrett ended up earning Special Teams Player of the Year honors, after posting 14 tackles and two blocked punts in 2024. In addition, he totaled 26 tackles defensively alongside a sack.
Your 2024 Special Teams Player of the Year is @XFLBattlehawks‘ Chris Garrett ⚔️🏆 pic.twitter.com/oKobXYsiDE
— United Football League (@TheUFL) June 6, 2024
After a successful workout with the Arizona Cardinals, Chris is now officially back on an NFL roster.
Joel Iyiegbuniwe | San Antonio Brahmas
BREAKING: UFL standout linebacker Joel Iyiegbuniwe is signing a one-year deal with the Detroit #Lions, his agent James Krenis exclusively tells @_MLFootball.@ig_nacious_ was a 4th round pick by the Chicago Bears out of Western Kentucky.
See also
He is 6-foot-1, 235 pounds. pic.twitter.com/zIOv610Pvk
— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) August 19, 2024
Another linebacker who wasn’t necessarily a starter, but made the most of his minutes in the UFL, was Joel…