The Columbus Aviators signed quarterback DeQuan Finn, wide receivers Jake Thaw, Qian Magwood, and Jayden Ballard, tight end James Faulkner, offensive lineman Ryan Johnson, and defensive backs Darrian Lewis and Markel Linzer on Thursday, following their UFL Showcase tryouts.
DeQuan Finn is six foot one and weighs 215 pounds. The 25-year-old from Detroit, Michigan, played for the Paris Lights of the American Football League Europe in 2026, completing 5 of 8 passes (62.5%) for 38 yards, and two carries for 14 yards in one game.
Collegiately, Finn spent five seasons at the University of Toledo (2019-23), completing 539 of 895 passes (60%) for 7,074 yards, 63 touchdowns, 23 interceptions, 389 carries for 1,840 yards, and 25 rushing touchdowns in 38 games for the Rockets. He was named Second Team All-MAC in 2022, First Team All-MAC and MAC Most Valuable Player in 2023.
Next, he transferred to Baylor in 2024, completing 23 of 43 passes (53%) for 307 yards, three touchdowns, two interceptions, 21 carries for 66 yards, and two rushing touchdowns in three games for the Bears. Finn concluded his collegiate career at Miami (OH) in 2025, completing 106 of 181 passes (58.6%) for 1,451 yards, nine touchdowns, six interceptions, 89 carries for 395 yards, four rushing touchdowns, and one tackle (1 solo) in eight games for the RedHawks.
Jake Thaw is six foot and weighs 190 pounds. A native of Westport, Connecticut, Thaw began his collegiate career at the University of Michigan (2020-23) with one kick return for 16 yards and 17 punt returns for 111 yards in 17 games for the Wolverines.
Then, he transferred to the University of Delaware (2024-25) with 72 catches for 693 yards, eight touchdowns, two carries for six yards, completing 1 of 2 passes (50%) for 15 yards, one interception, three kick returns for 24 yards, 12 punt returns for 129 yards, and one tackle (1 solo) in 21 games for the Fightin’ Blue Hens. He was named Second Team All-CAA in 2024.
Qian Magwood is six foot and weighs 182 pounds. A native of Hilltop, Ohio, Magwood spent six seasons at Ball State (2020-25) with 83 catches for 885 yards, six touchdowns, four carries for six yards, completed one pass for 19 yards and one touchdown, 21 punt returns for 53 yards, and one tackle (1 solo) in 37 games for the Cardinals.
Jayden Ballard is six foot two and weighs 205 pounds. A native of Massillon, Ohio, Ballard attended rookie minicamps with the Indianapolis Colts and the Tennessee Titans in 2026.
Collegiately, Ballard spent four seasons at Ohio State University (2021-24) with 11 catches for 177 yards, one touchdown, three kick returns for 23 yards, 11 punt returns for 63 yards, and five tackles (2 solos, 3 assists) in 35 games for the Buckeyes. Then, he transferred to Wisconsin in 2025 with seven catches for 150 yards, two touchdowns, one punt return for six yards, and two tackles (2 solos) in 12 games for the Badgers.
James Faulkner is six foot three and weighs 240 pounds. A native of West Bloomfield Township, Michigan, Faulkner began his collegiate career at Saginaw Valley State University (2018-19), but did not play a game for the Cardinals.
Next, he transferred to Notre Dame (Ohio) (2022-23) with 35 catches for 386 yards, three touchdowns, two carries for three yards, three kick returns for 45 yards, and one tackle (1 solo) in 20 games for the Falcons. In 2023, he was named First Team All-MEC after finishing the season with 34 catches for 384 yards, one touchdown, and one kick return for 20 yards in 10 games.
Then, he transferred to Gannon University (2024-25). In 2025, he was named Second Team All-PSAC and a Division II All-American Honorable Mention by Don Hansen after finishing the season with 46 catches for 666 yards, two touchdowns, and one tackle (1 solo) in 11 games for the Golden Knights.
Ryan Johnson is six foot two and weighs 306 pounds. The 26-year-old from Cincinnati, Ohio, played for the Kentucky Barrels of the Arena Football 1 league in 2026.
The New England Patriots signed Johnson as an undrafted free agent on May 13, 2024. The Patriots released him on June 17, 2024. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers signed Johnson on August 8, 2024. In 2024, he played three preseason games. The Buccaneers released him on August 27, 2024.
The Memphis Showboats signed Johnson on December 12, 2024. He attended training camp before they released him on March 20, 2025. He later played for the Massachusetts Pirates of the Indoor Football League.
Collegiately, Johnson played three seasons at Duquesne University (2018-20), playing right guard in 16 games, of which 12 were starts for the Dukes. In the 2020-21 season, he helped block for First Team All-NEC quarterback Joe Mischler, along with All-NEC running back Garrett Owens, and NEC Rookie of the Year running back Billy Lucas.
Then, Johnson transferred to Youngstown State (2021-23), playing right guard and right tackle in 31 games, of which 26 were starts. In 2023, Youngstown State’s offense averaged 32 points per game, 164.4 rushing yards per game, 245.85 passing yards per game, 410.2 total yards per game, and 52 touchdowns, finishing 8-5 for the season. They lost to Villanova in the Second Round of the FCS Playoffs.
Darrian Lewis is five foot eleven and weighs 180 pounds. A native of Akron, Ohio, Lewis attended a rookie minicamp with the Chicago Bears in 2026.
Collegiately, Lewis began his collegiate career at the University of Akron (2021-24) with 205 tackles (122 solos, 83 assists), 10.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, two interceptions, 17 pass breakups, one forced fumble, and two fumble recoveries in 36 games for the Zips. Then, he transferred to West Virginia in 2025 with 75 tackles (46 solos, 29 assists), one tackle for loss, two interceptions, two pass breakups, and one forced fumble in 12 games for the Mountaineers.
Markel Linzer is six foot and weighs 185 pounds. A native of New Iberia, Louisiana, Linzer began his collegiate career at Southeastern Louisiana University (2021-23) with 71 tackles (48 solos, 23 assists), three tackles for loss, two interceptions, eight pass breakups, and one forced fumble in 28 games for the Lions.
Then, he transferred to Grambling State University (2024-25) with 52 tackles (36 solos, 15 assists), one tackle for loss, five interceptions, eight pass breakups, and one forced fumble in 17 games for the Tigers. He was named First Team All-SWAC in 2025 after finishing the season with 34 tackles (25 solos, 9 assists), one tackle for loss, four interceptions, seven pass breakups, and one forced fumble in 11 games. After the season, Linzer played in the HBCU Legacy Bowl.
