San Antonio Brahmas Roster: UFL Dispersal Draft Breakdown
New San Antonio Brahmas coach Wade Phillips takes over for the team after coaching the Houston Roughnecks to the XFL playoffs in 2023. Phillips inherits a Brahmas team that went 3-7 last season and missed the playoffs.
The focus of the draft for San Antonio is to bring in players who are familiar with the schemes the Roughnecks had in 2023. Of the 20 players picked in the Dispersal Draft, the Brahmas selected 18 former Roughnecks.
Here are the 20 selections by the Brahmas in the Dispersal Draft.
2024 San Antonio Brahmas UFL Dispersal Draft Picks
Player Analysis (Former Team):
RB Brycen Alleyne (Houston Roughnecks)
Sitting behind Max Borghi on the depth chart for the Houston Roughnecks in 2023, Brycen Alleyne made a good complimentary back, especially late in the season. Alleyne finished the regular season with 193 yards and one touchdown on the season. He played his college ball at Delaware State, where he rushed for 646 yards and five touchdowns in his senior season of 2018.
Roster Impact: San Antonio appears will have a running back-by-committee approach with Kalen Ballage and Jaylen Samuels the favorites to head the backfield. Alleyne will be able to compete and be a part of the rotation similar to how he was used in Houston.
RB Jaylen Samuels (Houston Roughnecks)
The Brahmas now have another running back with good NFL experience, as former Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Samuels joins the mix. He spent three seasons with the Steelers, while also playing for the Houston Texans and Arizona Cardinals. His NFL career stats include 468 rushing yards and 564 receiving yards with five total touchdowns.
Roster Impact: Like mentioned under Alleyne, there will be a battle for the starting job that will become a rotation between the backs. Samuels is more versatile and used in the passing game helping what is a pass-happy offense.
WR Dieuly Aristilde (Houston Roughnecks)
Dieuly Aristilde went to training camp with the Orlando Guardians last year and did not make the roster. He played one game for the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the CFL in 2022. He played for three different colleges (Eastern Michigan, Alabama State and Bethel University). At Bethel, he caught 32 passes for 768 yards and six scores.
Roster Impact: The wide receiver position is going to be open competition as San Antonio had the worst passing attack in the XFL. Nick Holley and TJ Vasher headlines the receiving corps from last season. Aristilde will have a chance to earn a roster spot.
WR Justin Smith (Houston Roughnecks)
In an offense that had plenty of weapons at receiver, Justin Smith got overlooked being behind multiple guys. Smith recorded 16 catches for 238 yards and one touchdown in nine games for Houston. He spent four seasons at Norfolk State, where he caught 102 passes for 1,741 yards and 15 touchdowns in 42 games.
Roster Impact: With experience in offensive coordinator AJ Smith’s offense, Smith has a chance to be one of the top three receivers on the roster.
WR Kade Warner (Houston Roughnecks)
Kade Warner was originally going to be on the Houston Roughnecks after signing with the team last month. Warner did not get selected in the 2023 NFL Draft, but landed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before being cut in training camp. He played for two different schools at Nebraska and Kansas State from 2017-22.
Roster Impact: While he doesn’t have the height to be a big possession receiver, Warner’s route running makes him a solid receiver. He will have a chance to compete for a roster spot like the other receivers drafted.
TE Cody Latimer (Orlando Guardians)
The best tight end in the XFL returns for the UFL playing on the Brahmas. Cody Latimer was third in the XFL in receptions (50), fourth in receiving yards (593) and had three scores in nine games, earning All-XFL honors. Latimer played in the NFL from 2014-20, winning a Super Bowl with the Broncos. His career stats include 70 receptions for 935 yards and six touchdowns.
Roster Impact: The Roughnecks did not use the tight end very often in 2023, but Latimer gives the team some creativity in play calling. He should line up as a receiver and tight end for the team instantly becoming the top pass catcher on the team.
OT Rashaad Coward (Houston Roughnecks)
Rashaad Coward was originally signed by the Roughnecks in December. Coward was a former starter in the NFL at right guard for the Chicago Bears. He played for the Bears from 2017-20 before making six different stops in the NFL the next three seasons.
Roster Impact: There will be some reshuffling on the Brahmas offensive line after the struggles last season. Coward has starting experience, which gives the 29-year-old lineman a shot to start.
C Alex Mollette (Houston Roughnecks)
Houston had one of the best centers in spring football with Alex Mollette. He started all last season, earning an All-XFL team selection for his performance. He has a training camp stint with the Detroit Lions in August but was cut. He’s also played for the Indianapolis Colts.
Roster Impact: Mollette is the only center on the roster and knowing his status as an all-star, it’s safe to assume he will be holding down the position in 2024.
DE Wyatt Ray (Houston Roughnecks)
Defensive end Wyatt Ray signed with the Roughnecks in October after four seasons in the NFL. He has played for nine different teams, including the Tennessee Titans in 2020. Ray has recorded 20 tackles, two sacks and one forced fumble in his NFL career.
Roster Impact: Drew Beesley and Mike Scott come back as the top returning pass rushers for the Brahmas. Ray has shown he can perform on the NFL level and will have a shot to compete for a starting job with Beesley and Scott.
DT Jalen Dalton (Seattle Sea Dragons)
The Seattle Sea Dragons signed defensive tackle Jalen Dalton to a contract in October. Dalton played in the NFL from 2019-23 with four different teams. His most impactful tenure was with the New Orleans Saints from 2019-21, recording 13 career tackles.
Roster Impact: There is a bit of a reshuffling on the defensive line with not many returning players from last season’s San Antonio squad. Dalton will fill in at defensive tackle and be in the rotation.
DT Austin Edwards (Houston Roughnecks)
The Houston Roughnecks drafted Austin Edwards in the XFL’s first draft in 2022, but he did not play for the team in 2023. Edwards would have two different stops in the NFL with the Atlanta Falcons and Kansas City Chiefs in 2020 and 2021.
Roster Impact: It’s been two years since Austin played on the football field, so there could be an adjustment period. With the defensive line being relatively new, he could compete for a roster spot.
DT Taron Vincent (Houston Roughnecks)
Last month, defensive lineman Taron Vincent signed with the Houston Roughnecks after playing for the Los Angeles Rams in training camp . During his five seasons at Ohio State, Vincent racked up 57 tackles, eight tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks and one fumble recovery in 40 games.
Roster Impact: Vincent is an intriguing young prospect who can find playing time on the team. With mostly new defensive tackles, Vincent has great upside to be a starter on the team.
LB Tavante Beckett (Houston Roughnecks)
Phillips made sure he grabbed one of his top defensive players from the Roughnecks in linebacker Tavante Beckett. He led Houston in tackles last season with 63, adding a half sack, three tackles for loss, one fumble recovery, two interceptions and two defensive touchdowns in 10 games.
Roster Impact: San Antonio’s linebacking core is looking stacked with Beckett combining forces with Jordan Williams. This duo could be the best in the UFL if they play like they did in 2023.
LB Omari Cobb (Houston Roughnecks)
The Houston Roughnecks signed Omari Cobb in July after being drafted by the San Antonio Brahmas in the 2022 XFL Draft. Cobb would not play for the Brahmas in 2023, as he didn’t sign with the team. He played two seasons in the NFL with the Kansas City Chiefs and New York Giants in 2020 and 2021.
Roster Impact: In a deep linebacking core, Cobb will have the chance to compete for a roster spot.
LB Marvin Pierre (Houston Roughnecks)
Marvin Pierre originally signed with the Houston Roughnecks before the merger was announced. He previously played for the Arizona Cardinals and Green Bay Packers in 2023. At Kent State, he racked up 149 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, one interception and two forced fumbles in 25 games over the last two seasons.
Roster Impact: Being one of the younger players on the team, Pierre will have to prove himself.
LB Nate Wieland (Houston Roughnecks)
Nate Wieland was on the Houston Roughnecks team in 2023, playing in two games. Wieland recorded four tackles. He previously had a stop in the NFL with the New England Patriots in 2022.
Roster Impact: The Brahmas have a solid linebacker core going into 2024, as Wieland has a chance to be in the rotation and could help on special teams.
DB Jordan Mosley (Houston Roughnecks)
Jordan Mosley got a lot of playing time in Houston starting in four of the 10 games he played in for the Roughnecks. Mosley finished third on the team in tackles with 39, adding two tackles for loss and one forced fumble. He played four seasons at Maryland, recording 201 tackles, two sacks and one interception in 40 games.
Roster Impact: The secondary took a hit with guys like Luq Barcoo heading to the NFL. Mosley should find a starting spot at safety and be one of their top defensive backs.
DB Teez Tabor (Houston Roughnecks)
Teez Tabor signed with the Houston Roughnecks last month after seven seasons in the NFL. Tabor has played for six different NFL teams, recording 50 tackles during his career. It was the Detroit Lions who selected him in the second round of the 2017 NFL Draft. He was a two-time first team All-SEC selection at Florida in 2015 and 2016.
Roster Impact: Bryce Thompson is the top defensive back returning to the roster for San Antonio. Tabor’s background and professional experience should have him in the running for rotational play or earn a starting job.
DB Kevin Toliver (Houston Roughnecks)
Kevin Toliver landed on the Roughnecks after signing a contract. Toliver played five seasons in the NFL, with his playing time coming from the Chicago Bears and Denver Broncos from 2018-20. He recorded 32 tackles and four pass deflections in 29 games.
Roster Impact: Another veteran defensive back who has playing experience in the NFL, Toliver has a chance to play for the Brahmas.
DB Quincy Wilson (Houston Roughnecks)
Quincy Wilson is an experienced cornerback back who played five seasons in the NFL, spending three with the Indianapolis Colts. The Colts drafted Wilson in the second round in 2017. He played in 33 games recording 65 tackles, eight pass deflections, two interceptions and one fumble recovery.
Roster Impact: The loss of Barcoo should see Wilson compete for a starting job. He proved to be a reliable corner in the NFL.
UFL Dispersal Draft Results for Former XFL, USFL Teams
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Anthony Miller has been covering professional spring football since 2019 including XFL, USFL, and CFL. He was a local news reporter in Texas before transitioning to sports. Other sites he writes for includes College Football Network and NTZ Network.