Stallions Prepare For First Scrimmage
BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA - March 2, 2026
By Steve Irvine
The Birmingham Stallions get their first chance to line up against another UFL team on Tuesday. However, A.J. McCarron said it will purposely be a limited session for both teams when the Stallions and the Columbus Aviators meet on the practice field.
The plan is for each team to have eight offensive snaps in 11-on-11 and 12 snaps in seven-on-seven work. McCarron said they will each have a couple of punts and then the scrimmage will be complete.
“It's going to be simple,” said McCarron, who mentioned he met with Columbus head coach Ted Ginn to iron out the details. “Am I the most excited about it? No. I think it ends up being a little bit of a fight fest and some chaos. So my biggest thing to Ted was, listen, we can control this, control the environment, to keep things from popping off and happening and ruining the practice. So, it’s going to be short.”
McCarron uses his time in the NFL as an example of what he does not want to see.
“Even in the NFL, when you're doing these joint practices, it's always tough because your team might understand how to practice like pros and take care of each other,” McCarron said. “And then another team you’re all of a sudden going against, they don't care about (hitting without taking the ball carrier to the ground). They're trying to play football. That's the tough part because we're kind of all in this together. Even when you're showcasing (yourself) for your own team, it's a showcase opportunity for another team just in case you don't make the team you're on. So hopefully we can get through that. No injuries, no fights, and both teams stay healthy.”
Thus far, McCarron said he’s pleased with the way his team is practicing. All of the UFL teams are just over a week into camp and the Stallions got in pads for the first time last Saturday.
“It's been awesome to watch the guys compete,” McCarron said. “Got a bunch of competition in a lot of different rooms and I mean this this group has done a really good job of becoming close with each other, becoming a team. We've still got to build on it, but knowing how to practice the correct way, taking care of each other. It's been awesome to see.”
Much has been made of the Stallions offense, which is loaded with playmakers and quality lineman, but the defense appears to be equally loaded.
“From the defensive side, there's so much competition,” McCarron said. “I mean, the defensive line room is loaded. The linebackers are unbelievable. I mean, that room is really, really good. Scary good. And the DBs have been great as well. I mean, there is a ton of competition on this team.”
The defensive staff is learning more about their side of the ball with the team in shells and full pads but McCarron said there is no live hitting during camp.
“You're just so limited on roster spots,” McCarron said. “You just can't run the risk of having somebody get hurt if you're full-on live practice. So it's understanding the correct technique, being in the right spot. And then when we do go live in the first game, you got to go make the tackles. But right now, we're just looking for technique, being in the right spot, and they've done a great job of that.”
All of the UFL teams are scheduled to have joint scrimmages on Saturday with the Stallions facing the DC Defenders.