Patriots to Sign UFL Standout Offensive Lineman
While several of their players and coaches are enjoying a well-deserved summer break, the New England Patriots front office is taking “no days off.”
The Pats, per Christian Paolantonio of Pro Football Newsroom, are signing former United Football League (UFL) offensive lineman Liam Fornadel. The 6-5, 311-pounder worked out for New England during the first week of June.
Liam Fornadel Cred: James Madison University Athletics
Fornadel was a standout lineman for James Madison, having started eight games at left tackle as a senior in 2021, while earning HERO Sports FCS Second Team All-American honors for the Dukes.
For the past two seasons, he played for the XFL’s D.C. Defenders, serving as the team’s top lineman in both run blocking and pass protection. For his efforts, he was selected to the 2023 All-XFL Team.
This past season — the first since the UFL was created via the XFL-USFL merger — Fornadel played in all 10 games for the Defenders. He finished the season with the sixth highest pass blocking grade (82.4) and second highest offensive grade at OL (79.1) according to Pro Football Focus.
While Fornadel was considered the top guard in the UFL, he has the ability to align at either guard or tackle. Accordingly, he is expected to compete for a reserve spot along the Patriots offensive line.
The Patriots’ current depth chart at guard consists of the injured Cole Strange, Atonio Mafi and Nick Leverett on the left, with Sidy Sow, Layden Robinson and Michael Jordan at the right.
Earlier on Monday, the Patriots accounted the release of guard Ryan Johnson, seemingly opening a spot on the team’s 90-man roster — facilitating Fornadel’s expected signing.