The UFL Draft will be held on June 2. It will consist of 12 rounds. Each of the 5 UFL teams will have one pick in each round, thus adding 12 players to each roster. Each team also has 20 players returning from last season under protected status, and looks to add as many as 20 players through free agency. Many of those free agents will come from the NFL. A source close to the league says that as many as 52 players have already been invited to each team’s minicamp. That minicamp is scheduled to begin for all teams on June 8 in Arizona.

At the Sacramento Mountain Lions open tryout at Natomas High School on May 15, Head Coach Dennis Green said that each team had 74 total spots on the roster and that the Mountain Lions had 30 spots to fill. While the numbers don’t match up, one thing is certain: given that the Sacramento open tryout had 260 registered attendees, there is a lot of competition.

Local defensive lineman Sione Umufuke has been invited to the minicamp. Armed with a stretch coach, physio therapist, chiropractor, and an agent, Umufuke is giving it everything he’s got. His agent, Chris Johnson, could not be reached for comment. Umufuke’s performance history includes playing for Sacramento City College, the NCFL’s River City Gators and the Contra Costa Razorbacks. Reached for comment, Umufuke said, “I’m just really focused right now. I’m training every day.”

Defensive back Mervin Brookins, a product of Florin High School and Sacramento City College, is also doing everything he can to get to the next level. He’s currently playing for the AFL’s Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz. He played for the Arena-2 Stockton Lightning and the River City Gators in 2009. Brookins was invited to the NFL’s Seattle Seahawks camp last year. Reached for comment, Brookins said, “Arena football is much faster and more exciting, but it’s just a stepping stone. We go hard all day. When I’m on the field, nothing else matters. I’m ready for anything that crosses my path. I’ll be home June 12-17. Private workouts are definitely possible. The agent will work that stuff out.” Brookins is reportedly in talks with agent Chris Johnson.

Former NFL wide receiver Paris Warren, a local product as well, is also in the mix. Warren played at the University of Oregon, the University of Utah – where he was a two-time All MWC selection and BCS Fiesta Bowl offensive Co-MVP. At the University of Utah, he played with current San Francisco 49ers starting quarterback Alex Smith. From there, Warren was drafted in the seventh round by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He later played for the Dallas Cowboys and the New Orleans Saints, as well as the UFL’s Florida Tuskers. Reached for comment, Warren said, “I’ve been good and I’ve been taking care of things. We’ll see what my agent is talking about soon.” Warren is considered valuable given his NFL and UFL past; however, recent rumors regarding an opportunity to explore a reunion with his former college quarterback have certainly added to the intrigue. Warren is currently an active player with the River City Gators, and he is represented by agent Derrick Fox.

The Sacramento Mountain Lions will play their home games at Hornet Stadium on the California State University, Sacramento campus.  Their season begins September 18, on the road in Hartford, Connecticut.  Their first home game is September 25 versus the Florida Tuskers.  

The Tuskers had the best record in the UFL last season.  They were undefeated during the regular season with a 6-0 record.  They earned a spot in the championship game after the fourth week of the season.  The Tuskers were beaten in the championship game by the Las Vegas Locomotives.  They lost on a game-winning field goal kicked in overtime.

Four-game season ticket packages are available online through the CSUS ticket office website.  Plans start as low as $60, and go as high as $140 for the season.  Single game tickets start as low as $15, and go as high as $35 per game.  These prices do not include handling and transaction fees.  Per the ticket office website, season tickets will be mailed in August. Customer service questions should be directed to the Mountain Lions by calling (916) 383-5466. People with disabilities should call to discuss season ticket locations.