wolmerica With a couple of roster spots open, the Houston Roughnecks made some additions. WR Brian Hightower and OT Isaiah Battle have signed with the team, to provide depth at both positions.
The United Football League has announced the following transactions: pic.twitter.com/s0EZKp2LZ9
— UFL Communications Department (@UFL_PR) May 8, 2024
WR Brian Hightower
Brian Hightower joins the Houston Roughnecks as an UDFA who was eligible for the NFL’s 2024 Draft. This is the third player Houston has signed who just played college football in 2023 (Jamari Brown, A.J. Lewis).
Hightower spent the majority of his college football at Illinois, racking up over 800 yards and six touchdowns during his career there from 2017-2022. In 2023, he transferred to California. There, he caught 10 passes for 101 yards in his final year.
Tommy DeVito drops a DIME to Brian Hightower pic.twitter.com/P91mM2OEDf
— Cam Mellor (@CamMellor) October 15, 2022
With the recent release of Isiah Hennie, Hightower now fills another spot at the wide receiver position.
OT Isaiah Battle
Isaiah Battle is no stranger to spring football. He was with the Houston Roughnecks during Training Camp this year. Battle was cut before the season began.
In 2020, Isaiah played with the XFL’s Seattle Dragons. This past year in 2023, he started in four of five games played with the New Jersey Generals. He finished the 2023 season with a 53.3 Offensive Grade via PFF.
WR Reuben Mwehla and OT Isaiah Battle are healthy and anxious to make their Dragons debut.
Read 
| #BreathingFire 
pic.twitter.com/JVlxgKEGA6
— Seattle Sea Dragons (@XFLSeaDragons) February 25, 2020
Battle brings depth to the offensive line room. It appears that Isaiah is replacing QB Kenji Bahar, who is no longer needed given the return of Jarrett Guarantano.
Final Thoughts
The Houston Roughnecks need to get things going quickly. With just four weeks left, their 1-5 record isn’t going to cut it for postseason contention.
It’s been intriguing to watch GM Lionel Vital’s strategies unfold this year. He’s brought in quite a bit of talent that hasn’t played much in the professional scene before, and Brian Hightower is another example of exactly that.
Houston will play against the San Antonio Brahmas this weekend, hoping to get back in the win column.
What are your thoughts on Brian Hightower signing with the Houston Roughnecks? Will Isaiah Battle work into the rotation? Let us know down in the comments below, or join the conversation on Discord!
The post Houston Roughnecks Sign Brian Hightower & Isaiah Battle appeared first on Pro Football Newsroom.
