The Birmingham Stallions signed offensive lineman Chris Chernak Jr. and defensive lineman Isaac Ukwu, and released offensive linemen Wesley French and Jonathan Mendoza on Wednesday according to the UFL Transactions page.
Chris Chernak Jr. is six foot eight and weighs 316 pounds. A native of Brooklyn, New York, Chernak Jr. attended The Pro Showcase from Miami, Florida, in 2025.
Collegiately, Chernak Jr. spent three seasons at Stony Brook University (2018-20), but did not play a game for the Seawolves. Next, he transferred to Gambling State University (2021-22), playing 17 games, of which 11 were starts for the Tigers. In 2021, Gambling State averaged 17.2 points per game, 236.7 total yards per game, 123.82 passing yards per game, 112.9 rushing yards per game, 20 touchdowns, and allowed 23 sacks.
Then, Chernak Jr. transferred to Old Dominion in 2023, playing three games for the Monarchs. Old Dominion averaged 348.2 yards per game, 194.8 passing yards per game, 153.4 rushing yards per game, 38 touchdowns, and allowed 62 sacks.
Issac Ukwu is six foot three and weighs 270 pounds. The 26-year-old from Upper Marlboro, Maryland, signed with the Detroit Lions as an undrafted free agent on May 10, 2024. In 2024, he made three tackles (2 solos, 1 assist) in two games, of which one was a start.
In 2025, he made two tackles (1 solo, 1 assist) and one sack in four preseason games. The Lions released him on September 4, 2025. The Michigan Panthers drafted Ukwu in the third round (22nd pick) of the 2024 UFL College Draft. He signed with the Michigan Panthers on September 29, 2025. After the Panthers were moved to Columbus, Ukwu became a free agent after not being selected in the 2026 UFL Draft.
Collegiately, Ukwu spent six seasons at James Madison University (2017-22) with 87 tackles (44 solos, 43 assists), 27.5 tackles for loss, 16.5 sacks, five pass breakups, three forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery in 28 games for the Dukes.
He was named Second Team All-CAA in 2021, First Team All-Sun Belt in 2022, and an Honorable Mention All-American by College Football Network in 2022.
Then, he transferred to Ole Miss in 2023 with 30 tackles (18 solos, 12 assists), 4.5 tackles for loss, and 3.5 sacks in 13 games for the Rebels.
Wesley French is six foot four and weighs 307 pounds. The 29-year-old from St. Joseph, Michigan, signed with the Indianapolis Colts as an undrafted free agent on May 13, 2022. In 2022, he played in three preseason games. In 2023, he played in 17 games, of which three were starts. In 2024, he was placed on injured reserve after suffering a season-ending ankle injury.
In 2025, French played in three preseason games. The Colts released him on August 26, 2025. The Dallas Cowboys signed French to the practice squad on September 17, 2025. The Cowboys released him on November 18, 2025. The Cleveland Browns signed French to the practice squad on December 17, 2025. He became a free agent after the season. The Birmingham Stallions drafted him in the 2026 UFL Draft.
Collegiately, French spent six seasons at Western Michigan (2015-21), playing 40 games for the Broncos. In 2021, Western Michigan averaged 32.5 points per game, 467.2 yards per game, 253.6 passing yards per game, 213.5 rushing yards per game, 56 touchdowns, and allowed 28 sacks, finishing 8-5 for the season, and beating Nevada in the Quick Lane Bowl.
Jonathan Mendoza is six foot nine and weighs 310 pounds. A native of Westhampton Beach, New York, signed with the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent on July 30, 2025. In 2025, he played in three preseason games. The Saints released him on August 25, 2025. The Birmingham Stallions drafted him in the 2026 UFL Draft.
Collegiately, Mendoza spent five seasons at Yale (2019-23), starting 26 games playing right tackle for the Bulldogs. He was named an All-Ivy League Honorable Mention in 2022 and First Team All-Ivy League in 2023 after helping the Bulldogs average 29.9 points per game, 354.2 yards per game, 189.7 passing yards per game, 164.5 rushing yards per game, 40 touchdowns, and allowed 21 sacks, finishing 7-3 for the season.
Then, Mendoza transferred to Louisville in 2024, playing 13 games on the offensive line for the Cardinals. In 2024, Louisville averaged 36.5 points per game, 449.2 yards per game, 264.1 passing yards per game, 185.2 rushing yards per game, 60 touchdowns, and allowed 15 sacks, finishing 9-4 for the season, beating Washington in the Sun Bowl.
