If quarterback Sam Hartman doesn’t make the Washington Commanders’ 53-man roster this summer, he could have a fallback option. The United Football League held its draft on Wednesday, and Hartman’s name was included.
The defending UFL champion Birmingham Stallions selected Hartman in the ninth round. All 10 UFL teams made 10 picks each.
The Stallions went 9-1 last season and defeated the San Antonio Brahmas in the UFL championship game. Quarterback Adrian Martinez completed almost 59% of his passes last season for 1,749 yards, with 15 touchdowns and three interceptions.
In addition to Martinez, the Brahmas also have former NFL third-round pick Matt Corral. The Panthers selected Corral in the 2022 NFL draft and released him ahead of the 2023 season.
With our 9th pick in the 2024 UFL College Draft, we’ve selected QB Sam Hartman! #GiddyUp🐎 pic.twitter.com/JBPXTLHrR0
— B2B2B CHAMPION STALLIONS 🏆🏆🏆 (@USFLStallions) July 17, 2024
While Hartman went undrafted in the 2024 NFL draft, the Commanders gave him a significant signing bonus to sign as an undrafted free agent. Washington selected LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels at No. 2 overall and viewed Hartman as a potential long-term backup.
Hartman spent the first five seasons of his college career at Wake Forest, where he started 45 games before transferring to Notre Dame for his final season. Hartman started all 12 games for the Fighting Irish last season.
Whether Hartman ends up on the Commanders’ roster or not, he should find work in the NFL, even if it’s on a practice squad. However, if he did choose to play in the UFL, Birmingham would hold his rights.