The 2024 UFL season is underway and there are a couple of former Michigan players participating. The UFL kicked off just this past weekend. It is the new spring league in its first season, following the merger of the USFL and the XFL. Here is a look at the former Michigan players participating in the 2024 UFL season.
Former Michigan Players in the UFL
There are currently seven former Michigan players in this year’s UFL. The Wolverines will be representing four UFL teams, which means a couple of them are teammates this year. Here is a look at the former Michigan players, and their journey to the UFL.
Taco Charlton – DE
The first one of the former Michigan players to be mentioned is defensive end Taco Charlton. Charlton played for the Wolverines from 2013 until 2016. According to University of Michigan Athletics, Charlton earned All-Big Ten First Team honoree by the coaches and media in 2016. He was then drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the 2017 NFL Draft. Charlton was selected in the first round with the 28th overall pick.
When Charlton got to Dallas it was not the easiest ride for him. He spent his time competing for his spot with players such as Randy Gregory. There was also a shoulder injury in 2018 that kept him out for some time. There were also reports of him having disagreements with defensive coaches in Dallas.
Since his time with Dallas, the other teams that Charlton played on were the Miami Dolphins, Kansas City Chiefs, Pittsburgh Steelers, New Orleans Saints, Chicago Bears, Jacksonville Jaguars, and the San Francisco 49ers. His time in the NFL may have been limited because of injuries, but Charlton has a chance to resurrect his career in the UFL. He is currently playing on the Birmingham Stallions. This is his first year with the Stallions and playing spring football. He did play in week one of the season, but put up just one tackle. The Stallions are currently 1-0 this year.
Juwann Bushell-Beatty – OT
Offensive tackle, Juwann Bushell-Beatty is another former Wolverine in the UFL. Bushell-Beatty played with the Wolverines from 2014 until 2018, earning All-Big Ten honorable mention by coaches and media in 2018. He went into the NFL as an undrafted free agent. He spent some time on practice squads for Washington and Dallas, but his NFL career never took off.
In 2020, Bushell-Beatty signed with the Battlehawks in the XFL and then was traded to the Houston Roughnecks. This is of course until that version of the XFL shut down due to COVID. He tried coming back to the NFL, signing with the Carolina Panthers in 2020 but was waived. His journey continued in the CFL, joining the Ottawa Redblacks, then headed to the USFL with the Tampa Bay Bandits. In 2023, Bushell-Beatty rejoined the Battlehawks. Now in 2024, Bushell-Beatty is continuing his journey with the Battlehawks. The St. Louis Battlehawks are currently 0-1.
Lavert Hill – DB
Defensive back Lavert Hill is another one of the former Michigan players on the St. Louis Battlehawks. He played with the Wolverines from 2016 to 2019. He earned AP All-American third team in 2018 and was a three-time All-Big Ten honoree. Hill ended up going undrafted in 2020.
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Similarly to other players, he rotated around a couple of teams in the league. These teams include the Kansas City Chiefs, Philadelphia Eagles, Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers, and Cleveland Browns. In 2023, Hill joined the XFL with the St. Louis Battlehawks. Despite being signed over the summer by the Pittsburgh Steelers, Hill is back with the Battlehawks for the 2024 UFL season. Hill has just one tackle this year,
Channing Stribling – CB
Channing Stribling is the third one of the former Michigan players on the Battlehwaks this year. The cornerback was with the Wolverines from 2013-2016. In 2016, he was named second-team All-Big Ten by coaches and media, according to University of Michigan Athletics. He then went undrafted into the NFL in 2017. Stribling is one of those players to rotate around various team’s practice squads. Some of these teams include the Cleveland Browns, Indianapolis Colts, San Francisco 49ers, and the Los Angeles Chargers.
By 2019, Stribling headed to the CFL joining the Hilton Tiger-Cats. In 2020 he joined the Seattle Seadragons in that version of the XFL, before rejoining the Tiger-Cats. In 2022 the USFL began, and Stribling joined the Philadelphia Stars where he also played in 2023. Now, in the 2024 UFL, Stribling will be playing with the St. Louis Battlehwaks. In week one he had two total tackles.
Carlo Kemp – NT
Nose Tackle, Carlo Kemp is currently on the Houston Roughnecks in the UFL. Kemp played for the Michigan Wolverines from 2016 until 2020, earning All-Big Ten third team by the coaches and media in 2019. He then went as an undrafted free agent in 2021 following the NFL Draft. He did spend a brief time with the Greenbay Packers and Denver Broncos but was never elevated to the active Roster.
In 2022, Kemp joined the USFL with the Pittsburgh Maulers, then joined the Birmingham Stallions in 2023. This year in the UFL, Kemp is with the Houston Roughnecks. In just one game this season, Kemp has two total tackles, one solo,
Brandon Rusnak – CB
Cornerback, Brandon Rusnak is one of the former Michigan players on the Arlington Renegades. What some may not know is that when Rusnak played for the Wolverines, he went by the name Brandon Watson, before changing it. Rusnak went undrafted in 2019 spending time with the Jacksonville Jaguars. He was frequently elevated to their active roster.
In 2023, Rusnak joined the Renegades and is once again with this team in the UFL. Rusnak had just one tackle in week one of the season,
De’Veon Smith – RB
Runningback De’Veon Smith is another former Wolverine on the Arlington Renegades this year. Smith was with the Wolverines from 2013 until 2016. In 2016 he was an All-Big Ten honorable mention by coaches and media, according to Michigan Athletics. He also earned All-Big Ten honorable mention by the coaches in 2015. Smith then went as an undrafted free agent in 2017, signing with the Miami Dolphins. He joined Washington in 2018, but his NFL career never took off.
In 2020, Smith joined the XFL with what was then known as the Tampa Bay Vipers. In October of 2020, he then joined the TSL Aviators in The Spring League. Smith then moved to the CFL joining the BC Lions then when the 2022 USFL emerged he made his way to the Pittsburgh Maulers. Currently, Smith is with the Arlington Renegades. In week one, Smith had seven rushing attempts for 17 yards. He also had one reception for 23 years.
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