The Birmingham Stallions signed wide receiver Elijah Cooks and offensive lineman Adrian Ealy on Tuesday according to the UFL Transactions page.
Elijah Cooks is six foot four and weighs 215 pounds. The 27-year-old from Santa Maria, California, signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars as an undrafted free agent on May 12, 2023. He also spent time with the Philadelphia Eagles and the New Orleans Saints. He made three catches for 38 yards in 11-career NFL games. He also made 12 catches for 193 yards, one touchdown, and one tackle (1 assist) in eight preseason games.
Collegiately, Cooks spent five seasons at Nevada (2019-21) with 115 catches for 1,478 yards, 18 touchdowns, one carry for 40 yards, one rushing touchdown, completing one pass for 50 yards, and one tackle (1 solo) in 29 games for the Wolf Pack.
Then, he transferred to San Jose State University in 2022, where he was named First Team All-Mountain West with 69 catches for 1,076 yards, 10 touchdowns, completing 1 of 2 passes (50%) for 19 yards, one interception, and three tackles (3 solos) in 12 games for the Spartans.
Adrian Ealy is six foot six and weighs 321 pounds. The 26-year-old from Gonzales, Louisiana, was drafted by the D.C. Defenders in the 2026 UFL Draft. He did not play for the Defenders in 2026. The team released him on April 1, 2026.
The Baltimore Ravens signed Ealy as an undrafted free agent on May 13, 2021. He also had stints with the Denver Broncos, Los Angeles Rams, Green Bay Packers, and Pittsburgh Steelers. He signed with the Seattle Sea Dragons on October 23, 2023. However, the Sea Dragons were not included in the XFL and USFL merger that formed the United Football League (UFL).
The Arlington Renegades drafted Ealy in the 2024 UFL Dispersal Draft. In 2024, Ealy played nine games, of which six were starts. Arlington’s offense ranked second in total yards (3,119), passing yards (2,277), yards per game (311.9), sixth in rushing (842), and tied third for touchdowns (27).
The Renegades re-signed Ealy on September 27, 2024. In 2025, Ealy started seven games. Arlington averaged 22.9 points per game, 322.1 total yards per game, 230 yards per game, 92.1 rushing yards per game, and allowed 23 sacks, finishing 5-5 for the season.
Collegiately, Ealy played three seasons at Oklahoma (2018-20), playing right tackle and left tackle in 28 games, of which 23 were starts for the Sooners. He was named a two-time Second Team All-Big 12. In 2020, he allowed three sacks on 421 pass plays according to PFF.
