The Houston Roughnecks signed quarterback Jalen Morton, defensive tackle Robert Cooper, and defensive back Chris Steele on Friday according to the UFL Transactions page.
Jalen Morton is six foot four and weighs 225 pounds. The 28-year-old from Arlington, Texas, signed with the Birmingham Stallions on May 7, 2025. He spent a week in Birmingham before they released him on May 13, 2025.
Shortly after his release, he re-signed with the Southwest Kansas Storm. He played an additional five games for the Storm, completing 87 of 137 passes (63.5%) for 1,255 yards, 24 touchdowns, three interceptions, 26 carries for 230 yards, and six rushing touchdowns.
He finished the season completing 170 of 343 passes (50%) for 2,314 yards, 40 touchdowns, 15 interceptions, 12 carries for 86 yards, one rushing touchdown, and one tackle (1 solo) in 12 games. In the playoffs, he completed 20 of 37 passes (54.1%) for 296 yards, six touchdowns, and three carries for 27 yards against the Nashville Kats.
The Green Bay Packers signed Morton as an undrafted free agent on April 30, 2020. The Packers released him on August 3, 2020, and he signed with the Indianapolis Colts on February 1, 2021. The Colts released him on August 6, 2021.
The Hamilton Tiger-Cats signed Morton on September 16, 2021. He spent the season on the practice squad and re-signed with the Ticats on December 30, 2021. In 2022, Morton completed 2 of 6 passes (33%) for 13 yards, one interception, and five carries for 14 yards in four games. The Ticats released him on November 7, 2022.
Morton signed with the Birmingham Stallions on December 13, 2022. In 2023, Morton had one carry for five yards in one game. He was the backup quarterback in the USFL Championship game when the Stallions beat the Pittsburgh Maulers. The Stallions released him on March 10, 2024.
The Southwest Kansas Storm (AF1) signed Morton on March 21, 2025. In 2025, Morton completed 108 of 243 passes (44%) for 22 touchdowns, 12 interceptions, eight carries for 63 yards, five touchdowns, and one tackle (1 solo) in eight games.
Collegiately, Morton played five seasons at Prairie View A&M (2015-19) completing 372 of 695 (54%) for 5,237 yards, 42 touchdowns, 29 interceptions, 270 carries for 1,579 yards, 22 touchdowns, four catches for 29 yards, one receiving touchdown, punting the ball three times for 48 yards (16 AVG), one from inside the 20-yard line, and two tackles (2 solos) in 35 games for the Panthers. He was named SWAC Newcomer of the Week in 2016.
Robert Cooper is six foot two and weighs 335 pounds. The 25-year-old from Lilburn, Georgia, signed with the Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted free agent on May 12, 2023.
In 2023, he split his time with the Seahawks and the Philadelphia Eagles making two tackles (2 solos) in two preseason games. He later signed with the Miami Dolphins on August 14, 2024. The Dolphins released him on August 27, 2024.
Collegiately, Cooper played five seasons at Florida State (2018-22) making 121 tackles (55 solos, 66 assists), 12.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, three pass breakups, and one fumble recovery in 56 games for the Seminoles. He was an ACC Honorable Mention in 2022 and earned the team’s Bobby Bowden Leadership Award.
Chris Steele is six foot and weighs 187 pounds. The 24-year-old from Bellflower, California, signed with the San Antonio Brahmas on August 24, 2024. In 2025, he made 25 tackles (20 solos, 5 assists), one tackle for loss, two pass breakups, and one forced fumble in nine games. The Brahmas released him on May 27, 2025.
The Pittsburgh Steelers signed Steele as an undrafted free agent in 2022 and played three preseason games. He also spent time with the Miami Dolphins, Philadelphia Eagles, and Seattle Seahawks.
Then, Steele signed with the Calgary Stampeders on May 17, 2023. He made five tackles on special teams in one preseason game for the Calgary Stampeders in 2023. After Calgary, Steele signed with the Seattle Seahawks on July 26, 2023.
Steele played one preseason game making two tackles (2 solos) against the Minnesota Vikings. The Seahawks released him, and he signed with the Toronto Argonauts on January 24, 2024. Steele played two preseason games making five tackles before he was released on June 2, 2024.
Collegiately, Steele played three seasons at USC (2019-21) making 94 tackles (62 solos, 32 assists), three tackles for loss, one sack, three interceptions, 15 pass breakups, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery in 29 games for the Trojans. He was named Second Team All-Pac 12 in 2020.
