The United Football League returns for its second season this weekend, and Sal Cannella, the King of Spring, will be back at tight end for the Arlington Renegades.

After Cannella closed his Auburn career with a 37-yard touchdown on a pass from quarterback Bo Nix against Minnesota in the Outback Bowl on Jan. 1, 2020, the tight end played two years in the Spring League, then earned All-USFL recognition with the New Orleans Breakers in that league’s Birmingham-based revival in 2022.

In 2023, Cannella played with the Arlington Renegades in the XFL’s comeback season. In the Renegades’ 35-26 victory over the D.C. Defenders in the XFL Championship Game, Cannella had four receptions for 71 yards, including a 41-yard touchdown catch.

Cannella returned to the Renegades in 2024, but now as a United Football League team after the merger of the USFL and the XFL.

Cannella led the UFL with six touchdown receptions in 10 regular-season games in 2024. He finished third in the league with 53 receptions and fifth with 497 receiving yards.

Canella has returned to Arlington for a third season in 2025.

Cannella and the Renegades kick off their campaign as part of the UFL’s Week 1 set of four games:

· St. Louis Battlehawks at Houston Roughnecks, 7 p.m. CDT Friday (FOX)

· San Antonio Brahmas at Arlington Renegades, 3 p.m. Saturday (FOX)

· Michigan Panthers at Memphis Showboats, 11 a.m. Sunday (ESPN)

· Birmingham Stallions at DC Defenders, 2 p.m. Sunday (ESPN)

Cannella hasn’t confined his football to the spring since leaving Auburn.

In 2021, the tight end had a short stay at the Miami Dolphins’ training camp.

In 2022, Cannella went to training camp with the Green Bay Packers. He caught three passes for 31 yards in the Packers’ final two preseason games, but Green Bay waived him as it reduced its preseason roster to the regular-season limit of 53 players.

In 2023, Cannella got a late look in the Seattle Seahawks’ training camp but was waived by the NFL team before the start of the regular season.

In 2024, Cannella spent training camp with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and had two receptions for 16 yards in the preseason. But he was waived before the start of the NFL regular season.

Cannella is among the players from Alabama high schools and colleges on UFL rosters for the Week 1 games:

Arlington Renegades

• Tight end Sal Cannella, Auburn
• Defensive lineman DaVonte Lambert, Auburn

Birmingham Stallions

• Guard Deonte Brown, Austin High School (Decatur), Alabama
• Cornerback Shyheim Carter, Alabama
• Defensive end D.J. Coleman, Jacksonville State
• Guard Lachavious Simmons, Selma High School
• Wide receiver Austin Watkins, UAB
• Wide receiver Marlon Williams, McGill-Toolen Catholic High School (Mobile)

DC Defenders

• Long snapper/tight end Trae Barry, Spanish Fort High School, Jacksonville State
• Guard Gunner Britton, Auburn
• Offensive lineman Tykeem Doss, Aliceville High School

Houston Roughnecks

• Defensive end Christopher Allen, Alabama
• Defensive tackle Shakel Brown, Troy
• Offensive tackle Cam Carter, Minor High School
• Cornerback Keenan Isaac, Midfield High School, Alabama State
• Center Avery Jones, Auburn
• Punter Mike Rivers, Troy

Memphis Showboats

• Wide receiver Dee Anderson, Alabama A&M
• Cornerback Eric Garror, McGill-Toolen Catholic High School
• Wide receiver Eli Stove, Auburn
• Tight end Jay Jay Wilson, Auburn

Michigan Panthers

• Outside linebacker De’Gabriel Floyd, Alabama A&M, injured list
• Kicker Austin Jones, Alabama
• Defensive tackle Garrett Marino, UAB

San Antonio Brahmas

• Wide receiver Kawaan Baker, South Alabama
• Running back La’Damian Webb, Beauregard High School, South Alabama

St. Louis Battlehawks

Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on X at @AMarkG1.