The second day of the UFL’s inaugural weekend is upon us.
This league is a great opportunity for young players to showcase their skills and make an attempt to get back into the NFL.
In the upcoming matchup between the D.C. Defenders and San Antonio Brahmas, several former Detroit Lions players are set to take the field.
Alizé Mack – Tight End, San Antonio Brahmas
Detroit Lions tight end Alize Mack (84) in action against the Buffalo Bills during an NFL preseason football game, Friday, Aug. 13, 2021, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Rick Osentoski)
Alizé Mack joined the Lions in Dan Campbell’s first year as head coach in 2021. Mack, drafted by the Saints in 2019, worked with Campbell in New Orleans and was excited for a new opportunity as a third tight end in Detroit.
He had a quiet training camp that year and took the field for three preseason games with the Lions. In that time, he came away with four catches for 20 yards. Detroit released him before the regular season began and brought him back to the practice squad for a brief moment later on.
Mack will serve as a backup tight end for the Brahmas.
Tavante Beckett – Linebacker, San Antonio Brahmas
Detroit Lions linebacker Tavante Beckett (59) during the first half of a preseason game at Ford Field in Detroit on Friday, Aug. 27, 2021.
Beckett did not hear his name called in 2021 and joined the Detroit Lions as a undrafted free agent.
Throughout training camp and the preseason, Beckett impressed the Lions enough to get signed to the practice squad at the start of the 2021 season. The rookie out of Marshall remained there for most of the season. In Week 13, he was elevated to the active roster and appeared in four games for Detroit.
He did not record any stats in that span, but took the field for 64 special teams snaps.
Beckett is now listed as one of the two starting inside linebackers in San Antonio’s 3-4 defense.
Teez Tabor – Cornerback, San Antonio Brahmas
Detroit Lions cornerback Teez Tabor (31) plays against the New York Giants during the first half of a preseason NFL football game, Friday, Aug. 17, 2018, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
One of the more notable former Lions to play in the UFL, Teez Tabor will be starting at cornerback for San Antonio.
Tabor’s time as a Lion was memorable, but not for positive reasons. Tabor was drafted in the second round in 2017 with high hopes to be a starter in Detroit. There were concerns about athleticism going into his rookie year, and unfortunately those concerns were validated quickly.
Tabor spent two seasons in Detroit before getting released in the final wave of roster cuts in 2019. In his time as a Lion, he started five games at the cornerback and safety positions and recorded 42 tackles. He struggled heavily in coverage, allowing 18 completions on 29 pass attempts. Those missed assignments gave up 337 yards and three touchdowns against Detroit.
Jordan Ta’amu – Quarterback, D.C. Defenders
May 7, 2022; Birmingham, AL, USA; Tampa Bay Bandits quarterback Jordan Ta’amu (10) throws against the Birmingham Stallions during the first half at Protective Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vasha Hunt-USA TODAY Sports
It is easy to forget that the starting quarterback for the Defenders was once a Detroit Lion.
Ta’amu was signed to the practice squad near the end of the 2020 season, but was not brought back on a reserve/futures deal and instead went on to sign with the Chiefs. He was released by Kansas City the following May and Detroit re-signed the quarterback during the 2021 preseason.
His second with the Lions was short-lived, as he was released within a week of re-signing.