The Houston Roughnecks are making new moves every week. Earlier this week, the team signed Kirk Merritt and Sean Brown while also trading away six players. Now they have agreed to terms with four more players for 2025.

The #UFL has announced the following transactions pic.twitter.com/KNUGJThAxT

— UFL Communications Department (@UFL_PR) 20 August 2024

The offseason was a busy one for new general manager Will Lewis. The organization is not taking any time off and wants to completely rebuild its roster for 2025.

RB TJ Pledger

TJ Pledger joined Houston in 2023 when the team was still playing in the USFL under the name Gamblers. He made an early impact that season while Mark Thompson was injured, finishing the year with 197 yards and three touchdowns.

Really impressive start to this game for TJ Pledger. He has already scored two touchdowns on the day for the @USFLGamblersbecause Houston is in business!

Due to Mark Thompson’s absence @uno_tj has major implications. #USFLpic.twitter.com/p3qCBeEQxx

— James Larsen (@JamesLarsenPFN) 16 April 2023

Pledger came to the Roughnecks with CJ Johnson and started seven of nine games this year. He rushed for 253 yards in 2024, averaging 3.3 yards per carry. After two seasons in Johnson’s offense, TJ Pledger is now returning for one more season in 2025. With Thompson released and Merritt back in action, Pledger and Merritt should be a one-two punch next year, unless something changes.

TE Cary Angeline

Interestingly, the Roughnecks signed Cary Angeline, who hasn’t played spring football in a few years. Angeline was with the Birmingham Stallions in 2022 and played in six games – starting three times. Cary rushed for 159 yards and one touchdown that year.

Cary Angeline scores a touchdown in the first ever USFL game for the Birmingham Stallions. Of course it has to be a #PackPros Moment. pic.twitter.com/Jd8mdAxCqM

— Cory Smith (@RCorySmith) 17 April 2022

Angeline has been a free agent since then. He actually signed a letter of intent with San Antonio last year when Lewis was still GM there. This move is a little interesting, though, as it’s hard to imagine Cary bringing a new element to the offense that wasn’t already present with Braedon Bowman and Woody Brandom – two TEs the team released last month.

See also

OL/C Saige Young

Saige Young has some professional spring ball experience, starting with the Spring League when he played with the Sea Lions during the 2021 season. Young joined the New Jersey Generals in the USFL in 2023 and started three of eight games played. In the USFL, he played primarily as a right guard – but Saige has also had experience as a center in the past. He is a versatile lineman who will add some depth to the team for training camp.

DT Glen Logan

Glen Logan had quite an interesting journey to the Houston Roughnecks, twice in fact. He began his spring career in the XFL, with the Houston Roughnecks in 2023. That year, Logan recorded 16 tackles and 1.5 sacks – and was in the starting lineup in five of 11 games played.

The second-round pick for the @XFLRoughnecks is Glen Logan. #UFLDraft | #UFL pic.twitter.com/GVYu6UgoXe

— United Football League (@TheUFL) January 15, 2024

When the Houston Gamblers took over the Roughnecks branding, Logan was drafted in the dispersal draft by CJ Johnson & Co. So even though he has been with the Roughnecks for two years, the teams were completely different. In 2024, Logan was not a starter but played in every game and finished with 11 tackles.

Final thoughts

Will Lewis has focused on bringing back players he signed on LOIs – or simply had on the roster – that he had in San Antonio. After a 1-9 record in 2024, it’s clear that changes need to be made. So far, there have been some positive additions – but also some questionable moves. Time will tell if these actually work out the way Houston envisions.

What do you think about Pledger and Logan returning to Houston? Will the Roughnecks use Angeline and Young this year? Let us know in the comments below or join the conversation on Discord!