The Columbus Aviators released defensive ends Amare Barno and Isaiah Thomas, and linebacker J.B. Brown on Saturday according to the UFL Transactions page.
Amare Barno is six foot six and weighs 245 pounds. The 26-year-old from Blythewood, South Carolina, was drafted by the Columbus Aviators in the 2026 UFL Draft.
The Carolina Panthers drafted Barno in the sixth round (189th pick) of the 2022 NFL Draft. He spent three seasons in Carolina with 37 tackles (25 solos, 12 assists), four tackles for loss, three quarterback hits, and three sacks in 29 games. The Panthers released him on July 26, 2025.
Collegiately, Barno spent two seasons at Butler Community College (2017-18) with 73 tackles (45 solos, 28 assists), 13 tackles for loss, four pass breakups, and one forced fumble in 17 games for the Grizzlies.
Then, he transferred to Virginia Tech (2019-21) with 78 tackles (48 solos, 30 assists), 21.5 tackles for loss, 10 sacks, three pass breakups, three forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery in 26 games for the Hokies. He was named Third Team All-ACC by Phil Steele and an All-ACC Honorable Mention in 2020.
Isaiah Thomas is six foot five and weighs 272 pounds. The 27-year-old from Tulsa, Oklahoma, was drafted by the Columbus Aviators in the 2026 UFL Draft.
The Cleveland Browns drafted Thomas in the seventh round (223rd pick) of the 2022 NFL Draft. He also spent time with the Cincinnati Bengals and the Detroit Lions. Thomas made 12 tackles (4 solos, 8 assists), one tackle for loss, two quarterback hits, one sack, two pass breakups, and one fumble recovery in 12-career NFL games.
The Cincinnati Bengals signed Thomas on December 18, 2024. In 2025, Thomas made nine tackles (5 solos, 4 assists), two sacks, three quarterback hits, and one pass breakup in three preseason games. The Bengals released him on September 9, 2025.
Collegiately, Thomas spent five seasons at Oklahoma (2017-21) with 81 tackles (45 solos, 36 assists), 26.5 tackles for loss, 18.5 sacks, seven pass breakups, four forced fumbles, and three fumble recoveries in 43 games for the Sooners. He was named a two-time Second Team All-Big 12.
J.B. Brown is six foot two and weighs 230 pounds. A native of Hughes, Arkansas, Brown was drafted by the Columbus Aviators in the 2026 UFL Draft.
The Denver Broncos signed Brown as an undrafted free agent on May 9, 2025. In 2025, he made two tackles (1 solo, 1 assist) in two preseason games. The Broncos released him on August 20, 2025.
Collegiately, Brown spent three seasons at Bowling Green State University (2020-22) with 75 tackles (48 solos, 27 assists), 5.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, one pass breakup, three forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries in 30 games for the Falcons.
Then, he transferred to Kansas (2023-24) with 131 tackles (91 solos, 40 assists), 15.5 tackles for loss, seven sacks, four pass breakups, two forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries in 25 games for the Jayhawks. In 2024, he was named an All-Big 12 Honorable Mention after finishing the season with a career-high 74 tackles (52 solos, 22 assists), 9.5 tackles for loss, five sacks, two pass breakups, and one fumble recovery in 12 games.
