As the United Football League (UFL) prepares for its 2026 season, the St. Louis Battlehawks have made strategic moves to bolster their quarterback position. In the recent 2026 QB Draft and player allocation process, the team secured a compelling group consisting of veteran Brandon Silvers, along with promising newcomers Michael Pratt and Ben Wooldridge. This trio represents a balanced mix of seasoned leadership, athletic upside, and dual-threat capabilities, setting the stage for an intense training camp competition under the team’s new head coach. With the draft occurring just yesterday on January 12, 2026, fans are buzzing about how these signal-callers will shape the Battlehawks’ offense.
The Battlehawks, known for their passionate fanbase and high-energy play, finished the previous season with a strong showing but fell short of the championship. Now, with this quarterback room, the team aims to leverage depth and versatility to push deeper into the playoffs. Let’s dive into each player’s background, career highlights, and what they bring to St. Louis.
Brandon Silvers:
At 31 years old, Brandon Silvers stands as the elder statesman in the Battlehawks’ quarterback room, bringing a decade of professional experience to the table. Hailing from Pensacola, Florida, Silvers starred at Troy University, where he led the Trojans to a 10-3 record and a Dollar General Bowl victory in 2016. Over his college career, he amassed impressive stats, including over 10,000 passing yards and 71 touchdowns, showcasing his accuracy and leadership.
Professionally, Silvers has navigated various leagues, including the Alliance of American Football (AAF) with the Memphis Express, the XFL with the Seattle Dragons and Houston Roughnecks, and a brief NFL stint with the New York Jets. In spring football, he’s proven reliable, completing 64% of his passes for 799 yards, 4 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions in recent appearances. His most recent UFL stats include 205 passing yards and 1 touchdown, though he’s also shown mobility with occasional rushes.
Silvers’ familiarity with spring football makes him a natural fit for the Battlehawks, where he can mentor younger talents while vying for the starting role. His poise under pressure and quick release could be key in high-stakes games.
Michael Pratt:
Michael Pratt, a 23-year-old quarterback out of Tulane University, joins the Battlehawks after a brief NFL journey that included being drafted in the seventh round by the Green Bay Packers in 2024 and later moving to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Pratt’s college career was nothing short of stellar; he led Tulane to back-to-back double-digit win seasons, including a memorable Cotton Bowl victory over USC in 2023.
In four years at Tulane, Pratt threw for over 9,600 yards, 90 touchdowns, and just 26 interceptions, while adding 1,147 rushing yards and 28 scores on the ground—highlighting his dual-threat ability. As a true freshman, he set records with 1,806 passing yards and 20 touchdowns, the most among freshmen nationally that year. His final college season saw him post 2,406 passing yards, 22 touchdowns, and 286 rushing yards with 5 scores.
Though his NFL time has been limited to practice squads and minimal game action, Pratt’s arm strength, decision-making, and mobility make him an exciting addition to the UFL. For the Battlehawks, he could emerge as a dynamic starter, bringing the same winning mentality that elevated Tulane.
Ben Wooldridge:
Rounding out the group is Ben Wooldridge, a 24-year-old quarterback who transferred from Fresno State to Louisiana during his college days and recently spent time with the New England Patriots in the NFL. Wooldridge’s journey has been marked by steady improvement, culminating in a solid professional audition.
In college, across five seasons with Louisiana and Fresno State, he compiled 4,769 passing yards, 38 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions with a 60.9% completion rate. He also added 460 rushing yards and 9 touchdowns, demonstrating his athleticism. His standout 2024 season featured 2,453 passing yards, 17 touchdowns, and 6 interceptions, plus 174 rushing yards and 5 scores.
In the NFL, Wooldridge saw limited action with the Patriots, posting a quarterback rating of 80.7, 57.8% completion, 269 yards, and 2 touchdowns. His dual-threat style aligns well with modern spring football offenses, and he could provide valuable depth or even challenge for snaps.
