The 2025 UFL season kicked off last Friday, and for New York Jets fans, there are some familiar faces on UFL rosters.
Notable former Jets include 2020 second-round pick Denzel Mims (St. Louis Battlehawks), wide receiver Deontay Burnett (Arlington Renegades), and 2000 first-round pick Anthony Becht, who is returning for his second season as head coach of the St. Louis Battlehawks.
One former Jet, who many fans may not remember, made UFL history during the Arlington Renegades’ blowout 33-9 victory over the San Antonio Brahmas.
Former Jets running back and Adam Gase favorite Kalen Ballage ripped off a 77-yard touchdown run, setting a record for the longest rush in UFL history while helping propel the Renegades to victory.
The Colorado native finished with nine carries for 110 yards, which ranked as the second-best total of the league’s opening week.
Ballage, 29, was selected in the fourth round of the 2018 NFL draft by the Miami Dolphins. The running back spent two seasons with the Dolphins, appearing in 24 total games (including six starts) while rushing for 326 yards and four touchdowns.
Before the 2020 season, the Jets agreed to trade for Ballage in exchange for a conditional seventh-round pick; however, after failing his physical, the trade did not go through.
Miami then released Ballage, and the Jets signed the Arizona State product just a few weeks later.
The former Dolphin had a brief three-game stint with the Jets, logging only three rushing attempts for 13 yards, including one first down.
Ballage proceeded to spend some time with the Los Angeles Chargers (eight games) and Pittsburgh Steelers (17 games) before entering the UFL.
Now, Ballage is breaking UFL records, and somewhere, Adam Gase is smiling.
