A brand new football league starts this weekend when the United Football League kicks off on Saturday. The UFL is the combination of two former leagues. The XFL and the USFL. The two leagues merged back January.
There’s a solid handful of former Lions that will be making their debuts in this league this weekend. Nine of them to be exact. Three of them are playing for the hometown Michigan Panthers. Here’s the full list of guys, their background with the Lions and where they’re playing now.
Derrick Deese, TE, Michigan Panthers
Deese went through two training camps with the Lions after they brough him in as an undrafted free agent in 2022. You probably best remember Deese from Hard Knocks because of this moment.
Trey Quinn, WR, Michigan Panthers
The Lions brought Quinn in for camp this past season after he had a good run with the Panthers in the USFL. He did not make the 53-man roster, but he was signed to the Lions practice squad for much of the season until he was waived in October. I wouldn’t be shocked if he’s back at camp this August.
Wes Hills, RB, Michigan Panthers
Hills was with the Lions in 2019 and even started a game for them that year. He ran for 21 yards and two touchdowns in a 38-17 loss to the Bucs.
Adrian Martinez, QB, Birmingham Stallions
Martinez was with the Lions in training camp last year. Some Lions fans thought he played well enough to get a shot at the practice squad, but the Lions went with David Blough instead. Like Quinn, maybe we see Martinez in Allen Park this August.
John Atkins, DL, Memphis Showboats
Atkins was with the Lions for three seasons from 2018 to 2020. He played 14 games for the Lions and started six of them. He sat out the 2020 season due to Covid-19 and then the Lions released him after the year when they brought in Brad Holmes and Dan Campbell.
Sage Surrat, TE, Memphis Showboats
Surrat was with the Lions for camp in 2021 and was signed with the Lions practice squad afterwards. He was waived in September of that season.
Alize Mack, TE, San Antonio Brahmas
Mack was with the Lions for training camp in 2021. He was signed to the teams practice squad for one day and then was released the very next day.
Alex Mollette, C, San Antonio Brahmas
Mollette was signed by the Lions last year after being ALL-XFL that Spring. He was considered to be the best center in the XFL. It seemed like he had a chance to make the practice squad at least. The Lions did not go that route. he was cut at the end of August.
Teez Tabor, CB, San Antonio Brahmas
Lions fans know this guy very well. He was a second round pick for the Lions during the Bob Quinn days. He struggled so much that the Lions gave up on him after just two seasons. He’s managed to stick around the NFL. He was with the Seahawks last year. Now he’s trying his hand in the UFL.