Houston Roughnecks
Reuben Foster (Alabama Crimson Tide) – The former bruising linebacker for the Alabama Crimson Tide from Auburn, Alabama re-emerged last season in the USFL for the Pittsburgh Maulers and had an outstanding season which propelled him into a roster spot for the Roughnecks.
Foster was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in 2017 before off the field issues and injuries ultimately saw him out of the NFL. Foster looks to remain a mainstay in the XFL this season.
Mark Thompson (Florida Gators) – The former Gators running back played two season in Gainesville in 2016 and 2017 and appeared in 19 games. Thompson ran for 596 and caught another 184 yards of passes to go with six total touchdowns in his two seasons. The dynamic threat out of the backfield could be a perfect fit for the Roughnecks.
Michigan Panthers
Breeland Speaks (Ole Miss Rebels) – 121 tackles and nine sacks. Those were Speaks’ stats in three years in Oxford for the Rebels. The former second team all SEC defensive tackle left after his junior season and was drafted in 2018 by the Kansas City Chiefs in the second round and was a Super Bowl champion.
After a brief stint with the Chiefs, Speaks bounced around the NFL spending time with five difference teams the past few seasons.
Speaks was the USFL sack leader in 2023 and made the All-USFL team.