QB Alex McGough, DE Breeland Speaks headline UFL players to watch in 2025

Birmingham Stallions head coach Skip Holtz has a problem that's the envy of the rest of the teams in the UFL.

Too much of a good thing.

Holtz’s two-man competition at quarterback includes former USFL MVP Alex McGough and the Carolina Panthers' 2022 third-round pick Matt Corral, who helped the Stallions win the inaugural UFL title last season. Throw in a proven signal-caller who has won games in the UFL in Case Cookus, and the Stallions have one of the most talented quarterback rooms in the league.

Holtz wouldn’t divulge who would start this weekend when Birmingham opens this season on the road against the DC Defenders on Sunday, but both McGough and Corral have split reps in practice leading up to UFL Kickoff Weekend.

[MORE: What is the UFL? Everything to know about the 2025 United Football League ]

However, Holtz can learn from his experience handling a similar situation last season. Last year’s UFL MVP Adrian Martinez, now with the New York Jets, split time with Corral during the regular season before winning the starting job.

"It’s like he never left," Holtz said about McGough, who returns to the UFL after spending time on the Green Bay Packers' practice squad as both a quarterback and receiver. "He [has] got great recall of the offense and is doing a really nice job. But for him, he’s been playing receiver for the last year, so it’s getting his arm in shape, and doing all that kind of stuff has been bigger than getting him caught up in the offense."

McGough is just one of several players to watch as the UFL ramps up for a second season of spring football.

The FIU product completed 67.4% of his passes for 2,015 yards and 20 touchdowns to lead Birmingham to the USFL title game two years ago. McGough also ran