The United Football League (UFL) announced its 2025 All-UFL Team on June 2, with the DC Defenders and St. Louis Battlehawks each securing a league-high seven selections. As the teams prepare for their XFL Conference Championship showdown on June 8, their standout players highlight the talent driving their playoff runs.
The All-UFL Team, selected by a panel of league executives, coaches, players, and broadcast partners, recognizes exceptional performances from the 10-game regular season. The DC Defenders’ selections include wide receiver/return specialist Chris Rowland, who earned both Offensive and Special Teams honors, offensive tackle Yasir Durant, and four defensive players: defensive tackle Joe Wallace, defensive end Derick Roberson, linebacker Anthony Hines, and cornerback Deandre Baker.
Chris Rowland, a Tennessee State alum, had a career-defining season, finishing second in the UFL with 522 receiving yards and third with 42 receptions. He scored four touchdowns—three receiving and one passing—with a standout performance of nine receptions for 144 yards and a touchdown against Michigan on May 4. On special teams, Rowland’s 508 return yards on kicks and punts contributed to his league-leading 1,070 all-purpose yards. “Rowland’s ability to make plays on offense and special teams has shown why he leads the UFL in all-purpose yards,” noted a recent UFL press release.
Yasir Durant earned his first All-UFL Offensive selection by anchoring an offensive line that allowed just 10 sacks, the fewest in the UFL. His protection was critical to DC’s offensive success, supporting a passing game led by quarterback Jordan Ta’amu, who threw for 2,155 yards and 17 touchdowns.
On defense, Joe Wallace recorded a career-high 4.5 sacks, ranking sixth in the UFL. His best game came against San Antonio on May 9, with two sacks and six tackles. Derick Roberson, a constant edge threat, tied for third in the league with 5.5 sacks, including three in the season’s first three weeks. Anthony Hines led the Defenders with 55 tackles in eight games, just outside the league’s top 10, with a career-high 11 tackles against Arlington on April 27. Deandre Baker, earning his second consecutive All-UFL Defensive selection, had two interceptions and 10 pass breakups, with a critical interception in a 33-30 win over Arlington that clinched DC’s playoff berth.
The St. Louis Battlehawks matched DC’s seven selections, with notable players including running back Jacob Saylors, who led the UFL with 499 rushing yards and five touchdowns, and kicker Rodrigo Blankenship, who topped the league in field goal accuracy at 95%. The Battlehawks’ offensive line was also recognized as the Offensive Player of the Week after Week 1, underscoring their dominance.
The Defenders (6-4) and Battlehawks (8-2) will face off in the XFL Conference Championship on June 8, 2025, at 6 p.m. ET at The Dome at America’s Center in St. Louis, a venue known for its vibrant fan support. St. Louis drew 32,115 fans for their 2025 home opener, a 26-9 win over the San Antonio Brahmas, compared to the UFL’s average non-St. Louis attendance of 9,421. “It’s just the energy and the feel, like you actually feel like you’re in the [NFL] again,” said Battlehawks quarterback Manny Wilkins in an ESPN article.
The winner of the XFL Conference Championship will advance to the UFL Championship Game on June 14, 2025, at 8 p.m. ET, also at The Dome at America’s Center, facing the winner of the USFL Conference Championship between the Birmingham Stallions and Michigan Panthers, scheduled for 3 p.m. ET on June 8 at Protective Stadium. The playoffs mark the culmination of a competitive season, with the Defenders and Battlehawks showcasing their depth through their All-UFL selections.
