The United Football League kicks off its second season this weekend, bringing back tight end Sal Cannella, known as the “King of Spring,” for another run with the Arlington Renegades.
Cannella wrapped up his Auburn career with a memorable 37-yard touchdown reception from quarterback Bo Nix in the Outback Bowl against Minnesota on Jan. 1, 2020. Following college, he played two seasons in the Spring League before earning All-USFL honors with the New Orleans Breakers during the league’s 2022 revival in Birmingham.
In 2023, Cannella joined the Arlington Renegades for the XFL’s comeback season. He played a key role in the Renegades’ 35-26 XFL Championship win over the D.C. Defenders, recording four catches for 71 yards, including a 41-yard touchdown.
Returning to the Renegades in 2024, now part of the UFL after the XFL-USFL merger, Cannella led the league with six touchdown receptions in 10 games. He also ranked third in receptions (53) and fifth in receiving yards (497). Now, he’s back in Arlington for his third season with the team in 2025.
The Renegades open their season as part of the UFL’s Week 1 schedule:
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St. Louis Battlehawks at Houston Roughnecks – 7 p.m. CDT Friday (FOX)
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San Antonio Brahmas at Arlington Renegades – 3 p.m. Saturday (FOX)
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Michigan Panthers at Memphis Showboats – 11 a.m. Sunday (ESPN)
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Birmingham Stallions at DC Defenders – 2 p.m. Sunday (ESPN)
Since leaving Auburn, Cannella has pursued NFL opportunities, spending time with multiple teams. He had brief stints in training camps with the Miami Dolphins (2021), Green Bay Packers (2022), Seattle Seahawks (2023), and Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2024). Though he showed promise in preseason action, he was waived before the start of each regular season.
Cannella is among several players from Alabama high schools and colleges featured on UFL rosters for Week 1.
Arlington Renegades
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TE Sal Cannella – Auburn
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DL DaVonte Lambert – Auburn
Birmingham Stallions
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G Deonte Brown – Austin High School (Decatur), Alabama
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CB Shyheim Carter – Alabama
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DE D.J. Coleman – Jacksonville State
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G Lachavious Simmons – Selma High School
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WR Austin Watkins – UAB
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WR Marlon Williams – McGill-Toolen Catholic High School (Mobile)
DC Defenders
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LS/TE Trae Barry – Spanish Fort High School, Jacksonville State
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G Gunner Britton – Auburn
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OL Tykeem Doss – Aliceville High School
Houston Roughnecks
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DE Christopher Allen – Alabama
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DT Shakel Brown – Troy
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OT Cam Carter – Minor High School
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CB Keenan Isaac – Midfield High School, Alabama State
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C Avery Jones – Auburn
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P Mike Rivers – Troy
Memphis Showboats
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WR Dee Anderson – Alabama A&M
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CB Eric Garror – McGill-Toolen Catholic High School
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WR Eli Stove – Auburn
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TE Jay Jay Wilson – Auburn
Michigan Panthers
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OLB De’Gabriel Floyd – Alabama A&M (Injured List)
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K Austin Jones – Alabama
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DT Garrett Marino – UAB
San Antonio Brahmas
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WR Kawaan Baker – South Alabama
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RB La’Damian Webb – Beauregard High School, South Alabama
St. Louis Battlehawks
(No Alabama-affiliated players listed)
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