Former Iowa Hawkeyes wide receiver Brandon Smith (12) - Stephen Mally/Hawkeye Sports
The 2024 UFL season is underway and there are a couple of former Iowa players participating. The UFL kicked off just this past weekend. It is the new spring league in its first season, following the merger of the USFL and the XFL. Here is a look at the former Iowa players participating in the 2024 UFL season.
Former Iowa Players in the UFL
There are currently just two former Iowa players participating in the 2024 UFL. In addition to that, the two Hawkeyes are playing on the same team this year. The two had different journeys to get to this point, but get to continue to play the game that they love. Here is a look at these former Hawkeyes, and how they made it to the UFL.
Brandon Smith – WR
Former Iowa Hawkeye, Brandon Smith is playing on the D.C. Defenders this year. The Defenders were a part of the XFL last year and one of the teams brought over in the merger. Smith played at Iowa from 2017 until 2020, not playing in any games as a freshman in 2017. In four years with the Hawkeyes, Smith had 91 receptions for 1,041 yards and nine touchdowns, according to Sports Reference. He averaged 11.4 yards per reception. Following the 2020 season, after four years with the Hawkeyes Smith declared for the 2021 NFL Draft.
Smith went as an undrafted free agent. He never made it on an active roster, mainly being a practice squad player throughout his NFL career. He played with two teams during his time in the league. First, he signed with the Dallas Cowboys, where he spent most of his time. He was released by the Cowboys in January of 2023. He was signed by the Arizona Cardinals that summer, but waived before the season began.
As stated, he currently plays with the D.C. Defenders in the UFL. He did participate in week one of the season, though the team did lose. In that game, he had four receptions for 47 yards, according to The UFL. Hopefully, he can help his team win in the near future.
Shaun Beyer – TE
Tight end, Shaun Beyer is another one of the former Iowa players participating in the UFL this year. He is also a member of the D.C. Defenders with his fellow Hawkeye. Beyer played with the Hawkeyes from 2016 until 2020 and was red-shirted in 2016 as a freshman. Beyer actually started playing football as a wide receiver. It was not until after the 2016 season that he became a tight end. While with the Hawkeyes, Beyer had just 18 receptions for 275 yards and one touchdown, according to Sports Reference. He was primarily a blocker, but when he did receive, he averaged 15.3 yards per reception. 2019 was also the only year he played a full season in college, participating in 13 games. Beyer’s final season was in 2020, then he declared for the 2021 NFL Draft.
In 2021, Beyer did go as an undrafted free agent. He never made it further than the practice squad while in the NFL. The teams he was with were the Denver Broncos, Minnesota Vikings, and the Greenbay Packers. After his time in the NFL, Beyer headed to the spring football world signing with the Arlington Renegades in the XFL in 2023. He played in four games with the Renegades, starting in two. This year, he is playing with the D.C. Defenders. There are no stats for Beyer as of week one, but maybe he will get a reception soon. Either way, as a tight end he can make some key blocks for the Defenders.
To watch these former Iowa players, the D.C. Defenders will face the Houston Roughnecks on Sunday, April 7th. Both teams are 0-1, looking for their first win of the season.
