Ten surprising cuts from last year, and who can still be signed after the draft

The official 2027 protected lists dropped Thursday. Ten surprising names from last season aren't on any of them — not protected, and not rights-retained.

Teams retained rights to 80 other players. That number stands on its own. It isn't part of this cut list.

A left-off name like this can be out for a litany of reasons: retirement, a CFL deal, an NFL opportunity, or simply waiting for a UFL team to sign him in free agency after the Nov. 18 draft. You can't assume which one. Here's what's actually known.

Luis Perez began 2026 in Dallas, where Austin Reed was the starter, then was traded midseason to St. Louis. He started the last four regular-season games for the Battlehawks, throwing for 1,018 yards and four touchdowns, and he started the playoff loss to Louisville. That's on top of 10,338 career spring-league passing yards and a 2023 XFL title with Arlington. He signed with Toronto in September, was released Nov. 1, and is a free agent. Ricky Proehl told Greg Parks of UFL News Hub he expects Perez back, and that he's preparing as if Perez might not be, because of the contract situation in Canada.

Derick Roberson is a back-to-back All-UFL edge for DC. In 2026 he started all nine games he played and finished with 7 sacks and 11 quarterback hits. On Nov. 1, he posted that he was coming back home, and the Defenders shared it as "THE RETURN." No signing has been announced.

Pita Taumoepenu has retired. "After 10 years of playing professional football, I'm retiring with gratitude to God for the game that has shaped so much of my life," he said in a statement the Battlehawks posted today. He leaves as the 2025 UFL Defensive Player of the Year and modern spring football's all-time sacks leader, at 26.5. In 2026 he started all 10 games for St. Louis and finished with 33 tackles, 6.5 sacks and nine tackles for loss.

The other seven don't have a public signing or retirement on the board. That doesn't tell you why they were left off. They could be retired, they could be in another league, or they could just be unsigned and available after the draft.

Matt Corral threw for 768 yards and five touchdowns in four games with Birmingham, completing 71 of 110 passes. He later landed in Orlando.

Deon Cain caught 25 passes for 295 yards and four touchdowns for Birmingham, starting nine of 10 games.

Zaquandre White ran for 275 yards and four touchdowns on 67 carries for Columbus and added 17 catches for 96 yards.

Greg Ward gave Dallas 16 catches, 236 yards and two scores in 10 games.

Michael Lantz was Orlando's kicker for all 10 games. He hit 16 of 22 field goals, including a 57-yarder, and scored 98 points, fourth in the league.

Mekhi Garner started all 10 games for champion Louisville and finished with 45 tackles, an interception and three pass breakups.

Deontay Anderson started nine of 10 games for DC and put up 42 tackles, an interception and four pass breakups.

The draft is Nov. 18. After that, teams can still sign the ones who are available in free agency.

Every team's 2027 roster is updated on UFL Blitz.