The Houston Roughnecks re-signed wide receivers Justin Hall and Emmanuel Butler, linebacker J.T. Tyler, and defensive back Markel Roby on Wednesday according to the UFL Transactions page.
Justin Hall is five foot eight and weighs 189 pounds. The 26-year-old from Douglasville, Georgia, re-signed with the Houston Roughnecks on November 1, 2024. In 2025, he made 62 catches for 501 yards, three touchdowns, and eight punt returns for 68 yards in 10 games.
The Las Vegas Raiders signed Hall as an undrafted free agent on May 13, 2022. The Raiders released him on August 28, 2022.
Hall signed with the Houston Gamblers on November 3, 2022. In 2023, Hall made 47 catches for 515 yards, four touchdowns, one carry for -2 yards, one kick return for 13 yards, and 19 punt returns for 177 yards in 10 games. In 2024, Hall made 56 catches for 603 yards, three touchdowns, two carries for 8 yards, 19 punt returns for 154 yards, and one kick return for 24 yards in 10 games.
The Roughnecks re-signed Hall on August 15, 2024, but released him four days later to sign with the Minnesota Vikings on August 19, 2024. He played one preseason game making two catches for 24 yards, and one touchdown. The Vikings released him on August 26, 2024.
Collegiately, Hall played five seasons at Ball State (2017-21) making 318 catches for 3,385 yards, 18 touchdowns, 122 carries for 865 yards, 10 touchdowns, 36 kick returns for 939 yards, one touchdown, 21 punt returns for 170 yards, and one tackle (1 solo) in 54 games for the Cardinals. He was named a two-time First Team All-MAC, and winner of the Ball State John Hodge Award (most valuable freshman) in 2017, and the John Magnabosco Award (most outstanding player) in 2020.
Emmanuel Butler is six foot three and weighs 221 pounds. The 28-year-old from Phoenix, Arizona, re-signed with the Houston Roughnecks on August 13, 2024. In 2025, he made 11 catches for 182 yards, and two touchdowns in 10 games.
The New Orleans Saints signed Butler as an undrafted free agent on May 2, 2017. He spent two seasons on the practice squad. Next, Butler signed with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on March 26, 2021, but was released on July 30, 2021.
Butler re-signed with the Ticats on December 30, 2021. In 2022, Butler made three catches for 30 yards in one game. The Ticats released him on August 2, 2022. After Hamilton, Butler signed with the Ottawa Redblacks on February 9, 2023. Butler signed with the San Antonio Brahmas (XFL) on March 8, 2023, and was released by the Ottawa Redblacks on March 9, 2023.
The Brahmas released Butler on April 28, 2023, and he re-signed with the Ottawa Redblacks on May 8, 2023. Butler played one preseason game against the Toronto Argonauts making two catches for 79 yards. The Redblacks released him on June 3, 2023.
The Houston Gamblers signed Butler on June 6, 2023. He made one catch for 18 yards in one game. In 2024, Butler made 16 catches for 238 yards and one touchdown in 10 games.
Collegiately, Butler played five seasons at Northern Arizona (2014-18) with 187 catches for 3,217 yards, 33 touchdowns, and six tackles in 45 games for the Lumberjacks.
Butler is a two-time All-Big Sky First Team (2015-16), 2015 Sporting News Fab Fifty-First Team, 2015 Associated Press First Team All-America, 2015 STATS Second Team All-America, and 2018 HERO Sports Preseason All-America Third Team.
J.T. Tyler is six foot one and weighs 238 pounds. The 27-year-old from Detroit, Michigan, re-signed Tyler on August 14, 2024. In 2025, he made 45 tackles (24 solos, 21 assists), three tackles for loss, and one fumble recovery in 10 games.
The Houston Gamblers signed Tyler on March 29, 2023. He made 51 tackles (33 solos, 18 assists), 5 tackles for loss, one interception for 11 yards, and six pass breakups in 10 games.
The Gamblers were rebranded to the Roughriders as part of the USFL and XFL merger forming the United Football League. In 2024, Tyler made 50 tackles (23 solos, 27 assists), one tackle for loss, and two pass breakups in 10 games.
Collegiately, Tyler played six seasons at Princeton University (2016-21) making 163 tackles (102 solos, 61 assists), 28.5 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, four interceptions for 40 yards, 16 pass breakups, two fumble recoveries, one kick return for 20 yards, and one punt return for 25 yards in 40 games for the Tigers. He was named Second Team All-Ivy League in 2018, First Team All-Ivy League in 2021, Second Team FCS All-American by STATS, and Defensive Player of the Year in 2021.
Markel Roby is six foot and weighs 190 pounds. The 26-year-old from New Orleans, Louisiana, re-signed with the Houston Roughnecks on August 14, 2024. In 2025, he made 44 tackles (26 solos, 18 assists), one tackle for loss, and one sack in seven games.
Roby worked out for NFL Scouts on December 12, 2022. He signed with the Houston Gamblers on December 26, 2023, before the Gamblers were rebranded as the Roughnecks. In 2024, Roby made 58 tackles (36 solos, 22 assists), one tackle for loss, one sack, three interceptions, 8 pass breakups, and one forced fumble in 10 games.
Collegiately, Roby played three seasons at Briar Cliff University (2017-19) making 162 tackles (99 solos, 63 assists), six tackles for loss, six interceptions, two touchdowns, and 11 pass breakups in 28 games for the Chargers. He was a two-time All-GPAC Honorable Mention.
