Once the Super Bowl is over in February, the next pro football games we'll be able to see will be on March 27 when the UFL kicks off its 2026 season. The spring league, which has managed to endure, albeit through turbulence on some fronts, will continue to provide players with an extra opportunity to showcase their talent, and NFL teams do take notice of those who perform well.
UFL rosters are littered with known names every season, be it from when they played in college or when they had previously been in the NFL.
The Louisville Kings are a newly established team in the UFL, with former NFL and University of Louisville quarterback Chris Redman as the head coach. The Kings also have seven former Minnesota Vikings on their roster.
- Travis Bell (DT)
- Andrew Booth (CB)
- Matthew Cindric (C)
- Cameron Dantzler (CB)
- Dallas Gant (LB)
- Irv Smith Jr. (TE)
- LeRoy Watson (OT)
We have an answer to the question "Where in the world is former Minnesota Vikings tight end Irv Smith Jr.?"
Smith, a second-round pick (50th overall) by the Vikings in the 2019 NFL Draft (doesn't it feel like longer ago than that?), stands out as the most interesting name on that list. He was always an intriguing talent, but he was never able to put it all together over four seasons in Minnesota, and missing the entire 2021 season ended the idea that he'd ever reach his full potential.
After spending the 2023 season with the Cincinnati Bengals, Smith signed a free agent deal with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2024. After the Chiefs released him in late August, he spent the 2024 season with the Houston Texans, playing in five games. An ankle injury landed him on season-ending IR before Week 1 this season, and the Texans released him about a month later.
In announcing him as part of their team, the Kings' social media team took to Instagram to wonder about Smith as the "steal of the draft."
Matt Brown of Total Apex Sports pointed to how Smith could very easily (if he can stay healthy) be the best tight end in the UFL this year.
"Smith’s agility allows him to separate from linebackers in man coverage, making him a dangerous weapon on seam routes. If he can stay healthy—a significant hurdle in his professional career thus far—he has the talent to be the most productive tight end in the UFL."
"Analyze how Louisville lines him up. If he is frequently detached from the line of scrimmage, expect him to be the primary read on passing downs."
If he performs well in the UFL this spring, the 27-year-old Smith could earn himself another (final?) shot with an NFL team heading toward next season. And Vikings fans now have someone notable to watch and root for when they watch the league this year.