Columbus Aviators Announce 2026 Roster for Inaugural UFL Season Columbus, Ohio – March 23, 2026 – The Columbus Aviators officially unveiled their 50-player roster for the upcoming 2026 season, marking the start of their first campaign in the United Football League. The team concluded its final training camp practice on Wednesday, setting the stage for their debut season. The roster features a mix of experienced players and emerging talent, including three athletes who earned All-UFL honors in 2025: offensive tackle Ryan Nelson, tight end Gunnar Oakes, and cornerback Kedrick Whitehead Jr., who was also named UFL Special Teams Player of the Year. Among the standout performers from the previous season, running back Toa Taua led the league in rushing touchdowns with six despite playing in only seven games. Quarterback Jalan McClendon ranked third in passing yards (1,464), completions, and attempts during that same span. The Aviators’ roster includes three quarterbacks, three running backs, six wide receivers, three tight ends, eight offensive linemen, eight defensive linemen, six linebackers, 10 defensive backs, and three specialists. The team’s 2026 schedule kicks off with a road game on Sunday, March 29, at 8 p.m. ET against the Orlando Storm. They will return to Historic Crew Stadium for their home opener on Friday, April 3, at 8 p.m. against the DC Defenders. The “614 Kickoff” celebration will feature GRAMMY® Award-nominated singer Gavin DeGraw performing during halftime. As part of the opening weekend, UFL teams are promoting a special incentive for fans to participate in the UFL Kickoff Challenge. Fans can receive a 33 percent discount on home opener tickets purchased during a two-week window.#columbus_aviators #ufl #orlando_storm #dc_defenders #gavin_degraw
