The Houston Roughnecks are set to sign defensive end T.J. Franklin and defensive back Jack Koerner on Thursday according to the X account UFL Analyst.
T.J. Franklin is six foot five and weighs 257 pounds. The 24-year-old from Temple, Texas, signed with the Las Vegas Raiders as an undrafted free agent on May 10, 2024. In 2024, he played three preseason games recording no stats. The Raiders released him on August 27, 2024.
Collegiately, Franklin played five seasons at Baylor (2019-23) making 126 tackles (65 solos, 61 assists), 22.5 tackles for loss, 11.5 sacks, five pass breakups, one forced fumble, and one blocked kick in 57 games for the Bears. In 2023, Franklin made 31 tackles (19 solos, 12 assists), 9 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, and one pass breakup in 12 games. He was named a two-time Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll.
Jack Koerner is six foot and weighs 200 pounds. The 26-year-old from Des Moines, Iowa, signed with the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent on May 13, 2022. The Saints released him on August 15, 2022.
The San Antonio Brahmas drafted Koerner in the 11th round (82nd pick) in Phase 2 of the 2023 XFL Draft. In 2023, Koerner made 30 tackles (24 solos, 6 assists), six tackles for loss, one sack, one interception for 51 yards, and two pass breakups in eight games, of which three were starts before he was placed on injured reserve and missed the rest of the season.
The Brahmas traded Koerner to the Seattle Sea Dragons on September 9, 2023. He became a free agent when Seattle was not included in the XFL and USFL merger forming the United Football League.
Collegiately, Koerner played five seasons at Iowa (2017-21) making 216 tackles (138 solos, 78 assists), 6.5 tackles for loss, one forced fumble, 16 pass breakups, and six interceptions in 47 games, of which 32 were starts for the Hawkeyes. He was named Second Team All-Big Ten in 2020.
