The St. Louis Battlehawks are set to reignite their campaign with a familiar face under center as they kick off the 2026 United Football League season this Saturday. Brandon Silvers, the former Gulf Shores High School and Troy standout, will lead the charge against the DC Defenders.
Silvers, now in his third season with the Battlehawks, is no stranger to the spotlight. This marks his first opening-day start for St.
Louis, a team with high hopes for the season. His journey has been a testament to perseverance and skill, beginning as a record-setting freshman at Troy, where he not only broke the NCAA freshman record for completion percentage but also earned first-team All-Sun Belt honors in 2016.
Silvers capped his college career by setting the school record for touchdown responsibility, guiding the Trojans to 21 wins and two bowl victories in his final two seasons.
His professional journey began with the Memphis Express in the Alliance of American Football in 2019, followed by a stint with the XFL’s Seattle Sea Dragons in 2020. After the XFL folded, Silvers found a home in the Spring League with the Conquerors in 2021.
When the XFL made its comeback in 2023, Silvers took the reins as the Houston Roughnecks’ starter. Now, with the merger of the XFL and USFL forming the UFL, Silvers is ready to make his mark with the Battlehawks.
As the UFL season unfolds, Silvers is one of many players hailing from Alabama high schools and colleges making waves across the league. The opening weekend features a lineup of exciting matchups:
- The Birmingham Stallions will face off against the Louisville Kings at 7 p.m. on Friday at Lynn Family Stadium in Louisville, Kentucky, with coverage on FOX.
- The DC Defenders will take on the St. Louis Battlehawks at 11 a.m. on Saturday at the Dome at America’s Center in St. Louis, broadcasted by ESPN.
- The Houston Gamblers will clash with the Dallas Renegades at 3 p.m. on Saturday at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas, also on FOX.
- Wrapping up the weekend, the Columbus Aviators will battle the Orlando Storm at 7 p.m. on Sunday at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando, Florida, with ESPN providing the coverage.
The stage is set for an exhilarating start to the UFL season, with Silvers and the Battlehawks eager to make a statement.