By: Faris Touleimat
With the 2026 UFL Draft less than a week away, all eight teams in the United Football League have announced their official protected player and team rights lists ahead of the 2027 season.
The release of the lists provides a clearer picture of which players each franchise has protected and whose rights they hold ahead of the November 18 UFL Draft.
Among the notable players whose rights have been retained by their respective teams are St. Louis Battlehawks wide receiver Hakeem Butler, D.C. Defenders quarterback Jordan Ta'amu, Columbus Aviators wide receiver Keke Chism, Dallas Renegades wide receiver Justin Hall and Louisville Kings running back James Robinson.
Meanwhile, several notable players will not be returning for the 2027 season, including St. Louis Battlehawks defensive end Pita Taumoepenu, who retired after being named the 2025 UFL Defensive Player of the Year. Other reported retirements include Battlehawks safety A.J. Thomas, cornerbacks Michael Ojemudia and Luq Barcoo, and former Houston Gamblers quarterback Nolan Henderson.
The 2026 UFL Draft is scheduled for November 18 in St. Louis, with the Columbus Aviators holding the first overall selection. The first two rounds will be broadcast live on NFL Network beginning at 8 p.m. ET, while rounds three through 15 will be announced through the league's social media platforms.
For a complete breakdown of each team's protected players and team rights, view the lists shared by James Larsen of Pro Football Newsroom on X.
