Stallions to sign WR Julian Hicks

Now that the UFL has announced which teams are relocating or folding, I guess it's safe to get into the Stallions again. It had previously been stated by new league investor Mike Repole that the team would return, but I was concerned about a last minute swerve. 

The league's free agency period began a few days ago. Damned if you'd ever know it judging from the lack of communication from the teams or the league.

There have been a couple of signings, apparently. LB Jordan Williams is said to be coming over from the relocating San Antonio Brahmas, another linebacker has been acquired in former Carolina Panthers draft choice Michael Barrett, and defensive tackle Shakel Brown, who played collegiately at Troy is on board for 2026 as well.

But I found this one to be the most interesting (so far).  

The young man has had a bumpy road. The text below is from this article by Bill Huber following Hicks' signing with the Packers.

As a graduate student at Albany in 2023, Hicks caught 50 passes for 820 yards (16.4 average) and 11 touchdowns. A big chunk of the production came in back-to-back game against New Hampshire and Rhode Island, with four catches for 162 yards and two touchdowns and seven catches for 188 yards and two more touchdowns in those games.

...

Albany reached the FCS semifinals; in the season-ending loss to eventual national champion South Dakota State, he caught seven passes for 76 yards.

At pro day, he measured 6-foot-1 7/8 and 201 pounds, with a 4.53 in the 40 and a 36 1/2-inch vertical.

It was a circuitous route to the NFL for Hicks, who played at Central Michigan in 2018 and Akron in 2019 in 2020. In 2018, the Chippewas went 1-11 and changed coaches. In 2019, the Zips went 0-12. In 2020, he caught two passes during the COVID-shortened season.

From there, he transferred to Albany. In 2021, he missed the start of the season due to thumb surgery. In his season debut, he stepped on a defender and tore a ligament in his ankle, which ended his season.

...

In 2022, he caught 24 passes for 345 yards. He had the only touchdown in a loss at powerhouse Baylor and scored the game-winning touchdown on the final play against Maine.

He seems like exactly the kind of player that the UFL is for; those that for whatever reason just need another opportunity to showcase their ability. Already looking forward to seeing how he does!