ORLANDO, Fla. — The 2026 Orlando Storm roster is officially locked in, and the United Football League just got a massive jolt of electricity. Head Coach Anthony Becht did not come to central Florida to rebuild. He built this team to win immediately. The newly minted Orlando Storm hit the turf carrying a squad absolutely loaded with recent NFL draft picks, spring football veterans, and explosive playmakers. At the center of the hype stands former Cleveland Browns draft pick Dorian Thompson-Robinson, ready to tear up UFL defenses.
Under Center: The DTR Experiment
Anthony Becht wanted a dynamic offense, and he got exactly that. Dorian Thompson-Robinson does not just scramble; he breaks ankles and wrecks defensive game plans. DTR flashed his raw athletic ability in the NFL after a monster career at UCLA, where he racked up 10,695 passing yards and 88 touchdowns, adding another 28 scores on the ground. He gives Orlando an immediate vertical and rushing threat.
Jack Plummer offers a completely different look. Standing at 6’5″ and 215 pounds, the former Carolina Panthers prospect brings a massive frame and a heavy arm. While Plummer lacks DTR’s agility, he throws a beautiful deep ball. Hank Bachmeier rounds out the room, bringing a gritty, determined mindset and solid mechanics to the QB3 spot.
Weapons of Mass Production
The Storm backfield features pure speed and raw power. Tre Stewart broke scoreboards at Jacksonville State, tallying 1,638 rushing yards and 25 touchdowns during the 2024 season alone. He averaged a massive 5.9 yards per carry. Joining him are Florida State product Lawrence Toa’fili, a massive threat in the screen game, and versatile NFL journeyman Elijah Dotson.
Out wide, defensive backs will struggle to keep up. Former Denver Broncos second-round pick K.J. Hamler instantly becomes a top-tier UFL target. His elite route running and burst create separation off the line of scrimmage instantly. Opposite Hamler, Elijhah Badger brings a 6’1″, 200-pound frame. Badger caught 73% of his contested targets at Florida and ran a 4.43 40-yard dash at the combine. Add in Chris Rowland returning kicks and Aron Cruickshank—fresh off an ELF Offensive Player of the Year campaign where he torched defenses for 1,760 yards and 20 touchdowns—and this receiving corps is downright lethal.
Winning in the Trenches
Football games end in the trenches, and Orlando stacked the offensive line with bruisers. Spring football veteran Cole Schneider anchors the center position, bringing championship experience from his days with the Birmingham Stallions. Outside, Bryce Benhart brings incredible durability, holding the Nebraska school record with 54 consecutive starts. Guard Mike Edwards steps onto the field at 6’7″ and 355 pounds, ready to flatten defensive tackles.
Defensively, Donnie Abraham’s scheme requires disruptors. Isaiah Buggs brings aggressive, NFL-caliber interior pressure. Chris Garrett, the 2024 UFL Special Teams Player of the Year, shifts into a heavy rotational edge role. Keep an eye on Jasheen Davis; he recorded 25.5 sacks at Wake Forest due to an explosive first step off the snap. Opposing quarterbacks will feel the turf early and often.
A Ballhawk Secondary
You cannot throw the ball against this secondary without taking major risks. Lamar Jackson brings six years of NFL experience to the boundary. Micah Abraham returns to play under his father’s system after snagging interceptions at Marshall and spending time with the Colts. Mark Gilbert, who led the USFL in interceptions back in 2023, locks down the opposite side.
At safety, Jaylen Mahoney brings the lumber. He recorded 247 tackles and 17 tackles for loss at Vanderbilt. Beside him, Jason Taylor II covers ground rapidly, having pulled down six interceptions during his senior year at Oklahoma State before his stint with the Rams.
“We didn’t come here to play like an expansion team. Look at the names in this locker room. We have guys who have played on Sundays, guys who have won championships in the spring. We expect to dominate from the first snap.”
— Anthony Becht, Head Coach
Playoff Implications / What’s Next
The Orlando Storm immediately scramble the power dynamics of the 2026 UFL season. Defending champions and established powerhouses like the Stallions and Battlehawks now face a team with a veteran coaching staff and a roster completely devoid of standard expansion-team weaknesses. With DTR orchestrating the offense and a secondary designed to force turnovers, Orlando possesses the precise formula required to steal road wins in hostile environments. Next week’s training camp battles, particularly the tight end blocking schemes between Shawn Bowman and Steven Stilianos, will determine exactly how physical this offense can be in Week 1.
