PSU Football
News & Information
News—Jan. 13, 2026—Updated 1-14
PSU Players Selected in 2026 UFL Draft & Player Allocation
Five former Penn State players will be on the rosters of five UFL teams in the upcoming 2026 spring season. Three of them (John Lovett, Steven Gonzalez, & Keaton Ellis) are returnees to the league but will play for new teams following the first phase of the 2026 UFL Draft/Player Allocation process. The other two (Shaka Toney & Brandon Smith) will be newcomers. The Free Agent Phase of the 2026 Draft saw three more taken on day two. The UFL is in its third season since the merger of the 2020’s re-launches of the XFL and USFL.
John Lovett RB (PSU 2021)—drafted by the new Columbus Aviators after having the spent the two previous seasons with the now-defunct San Antonio Brahmas. Lovett was one of the UFL’s top rushers in 2024 but spent much of the 2025 season on the injured list. Lovett played the 2023 season with the XFL’s Vegas Vipers.
Steven Gonzalez OG (PSU 2015-19)—drafted by the Birmingham Stallions after having spent the 3 prior years with the St. Louis Battlehawks. Gonzalez was All-UFL in 2025 and All-XFL with St. Louis in 2023.
Keaton Ellis FS (PSU 2019-23)—selected to the reserve player list of the new Louisville Kings. Ellis was a starter for most of the 2025 season with the now-defunct Memphis Showboats.
Brandon Smith LB (PSU 2019-21)—was allocated to the DC Defenders as part of the UFL’s new regional college plan where the Defenders get a first choice of certain players from Penn State, Maryland, Virginia, and Virginia Tech.
Shaka Toney DE (PSU 2016-20)—drafted by the Houston Gamblers for the 2026 season (was originally signed by St. Louis after the completion of the 2025 season last summer). His new team’s name aside, this is a professional comeback for Toney who was suspended by the NFL in April 2023 for allegedly betting on games. The suspension was lifted in April 2024 and the Washington Commanders who had drafted him in 2021 waived him as part of a total overhaul of the roster by new ownership. The NFL investigation determined that Toney’s betting did not compromise any games.
Curtis Jacobs LB (PS 2020-23)—drafted in the Day 2 Free Agent Draft by the DC Defenders. He had most recently been with the NFL’s New York Giants and Tennessee Titans practice squads during the 2025 season.
Jonathan Sutherland LB (PS 2017-2022)—drafted in the Day 2 Free Agent Draft by the St. Louis Battlehawks. He was most recently under contract to the NFL’s Las Vegas Raiders ahead of the 2025 season.
Zack Kuntz TE (PS 2018-20/transferred to Old Dominion 2021-22)—drafted in the Day 2 Free Agent Draft by the DC Defenders. His previous pro experience was with the NFL’s New York Jets (2023-24).
The 2026 UFL schedule is due to be released on Jan. 22. Current teams in the UFL: Birmingham Stallions, Columbus Aviators, Dallas Renegades, DC Defenders, Houston Gamblers, Louisville Kings, Orlando Storm, & St. Louis Battlehawks.
NOTE: The head coach of the Orlando Storm franchise is Anthony Becht. He is the father of incoming PSU QB Rocco Becht.
