Birmingham Stallions running back C.J. Marable and tight end Jace Sternberger announced their retirements on Saturday according to the X account State of Stallions.
C.J. Marable is five foot ten and weighs 194 pounds. The 28-year-old from Decatur, Georgia, re-signed with the Stallions on August 14, 2024. In 2025, Marable had 78 carries for 222 yards, one rushing touchdown, 12 catches for 70 yards, and one touchdown in eight games. In the playoffs, Marable had eight carries for 28 yards and one rushing touchdown. He re-signed with the Stallions on September 29, 2025.
Marable signed with the Chicago Bears as an undrafted free agent on May 14, 2021. In 2021, he had two carries for six yards and one catch for seven yards in two preseason games. The Bears released him on August 24, 2021.
The Birmingham Stallions drafted Marable in the 28th round (226th pick) of the 2022 USFL Draft. Marable had 102 carries for 401 yards, five touchdowns, and 20 catches for 155 yards in nine games, helping the Stallions win the 2022 USFL Championship over the Philadelphia Stars.
In 2023, Marable had 118 carries for 525 yards, three touchdowns, 28 catches for 235 yards, and two touchdowns in ten games for the Stallions, helping them win their second-straight USFL Championship over the Pittsburgh Maulers.
After the season, Marable signed with the New England Patriots on August 12, 2023. He did not play in the preseason, and the Patriots released him on August 27, 2023.
The Birmingham Stallions signed Marable on September 6, 2023. In 2024, Marable had 80 carries for 293 yards, four touchdowns, 18 catches for 110 yards, and two touchdowns in 10 games. In the UFL Playoffs, Marable had 18 carries for 122 yards and one catch for five yards, helping the Stallions win their third straight championship (2 USFL, 1 UFL).
Collegiately, Marable played one season at Presbyterian College in 2017 with 181 carries for 1,038 yards, four touchdowns, nine catches for 130 yards, two touchdowns, and six kick returns for 85 yards in 11 games for the Blue Hose. He was named First Team All-Big South.
Then, Marable transferred to Coastal Carolina (2018-20) with 491 carries for 2,691 yards, 29 touchdowns, 84 catches for 703 yards, 12 touchdowns, and 13 kick returns for 226 yards in 36 games for the Chanticleers. He was named First Team All-Sun Belt in 2020.
Jace Sternberger is six foot four and weighs 251 pounds. The 29-year-old from Kingfisher, Oklahoma, re-signed with the Stallions on January 2, 2025. In 2025, he made 17 catches for 233 yards and two touchdowns in 10 games. In the USFL Conference Championship game against the Michigan Panthers, Sternberger made one catch for three yards.
The Green Bay Packers drafted Sternberger in the third round (75th pick) of the 2019 NFL Draft. He played two seasons in Green Bay with 12 catches for 114 yards and one touchdown in 18 games. After Green Bay, Sternberger had stints with the Seattle Seahawks, Washington Football Team, and Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Birmingham Stallions signed Sternberger on January 26, 2023. In 2023, he made 33 catches for 517 yards and 7 touchdowns in ten games. In the playoffs, Sternberger made six catches for 77 yards and one touchdown in two games, helping the Stallions win their second straight USFL Championship over the Pittsburgh Maulers.
He was named to the All-USFL Team in 2023. After the season, the Stallions released him on July 24, 2023, and he signed with the Buffalo Bills a day later. He played three preseason games with two catches for 44 yards.
Sternberger re-signed with the Birmingham Stallions on November 21, 2023. In 2024, he made 25 catches for 454 yards and four touchdowns in 10 games. In the 2024 UFL playoffs, he made six catches for 67 yards, helping the Stallions win their third championship 25-0 over the San Antonio Brahmas. He was named to the All-UFL Team in 2024.
Collegiately, Sternberger played one season at Kansas in 2016 with one catch for five yards and two tackles on special teams in 10 games for the Jayhawks. Next, Sternberger transferred to Northeastern Oklahoma A&M in 2017 with 21 catches for 336 yards and six touchdowns in 12 games for the Golden Norsemen.
Then, he transferred to Texas A&M in 2018 with 48 catches for 832 yards, 10 touchdowns, and one carry for four yards in 13 games for the Aggies. He was named First Team All-SEC and All-American in 2018.
