The former five-star running back Lorenzo Lingard is once again making efforts to win acclaim in the football space. After a rollercoaster college career and fleeting NFL moments, he’s targeting the United Football League (UFL) in 2025. This spring league could be his ticket to the stardom so many had expected from him.
Lorenzo Lingard’s Winding Path to the UFL Spotlight
Lingard first made a name for himself in Orange City, Florida, at University High School. His senior year in 2017 was very impressive; he managed 1,701 yards and 26 touchdowns on 207 carries. That performance earned him the Gatorade Florida Player of the Year title.
The official @XFLRoughnecks vs. @XFLBattlehawks #UFL Depth Chart is here:
– As expected, Manny Wilkins is starting at QB for STL
– Mims is currently a backup WR for STL
– Lorenzo Lingard starting RB for HOU over Merritt
– CB Colby Richardson inactive for HOU
– Isaiah Mack… pic.twitter.com/F2Ba5J7f7j— James Larsen (@JamesLarsenPFN) March 27, 2025
This show made the recruiters fight to get his 4.27-second 40-yard dash and 10.71-second 100-meter speed for their team. This demand made him the No. 2 running back in the 2018 class per 247Sports Composite.
His college career kicked off at the University of Miami. As a freshman, he showed potential with 136 yards and two scores on just 17 carries. However, a knee injury in practice disrupted his progress. It sidelined him midseason and slowed his rise. By 2019, he barely saw the field, playing only two games.
Lingard transferred to the University of Florida in 2020, hoping for a reset. The Gators gave him a shot right away, thanks to NCAA eligibility rules. Yet, a stacked backfield kept him on the fringes. Over three years, he logged 150 yards on 26 carries across 32 games.
In 2023, he made one last college move to the University of Akron. There, he got more chances. In 2024, he ran for 56 yards and a touchdown against Bowling Green, adding 23 yards on two catches. It wasn’t a breakout, but it showed that he still had the spark.
The NFL came calling next. Lingard signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars as an undrafted free agent in 2024. However, he got cut in the preseason. He later got a brief stint on the New York Giants’ practice squad, but it ended quickly, too. These setbacks made him realize he needed a different stage for his talent.
This led to his arrival at the UFL, which was launched in 2024 from the XFL-USFL merger. The league has become a springboard for hidden gems. Lingard, at 25, brings a lot of potential for whatever team he joins. His high school highlights could translate very well to this pro level. Coaches might also tap his impressive track speed for special strategies.
KEEP READING: Where Did Manny Wilkins Go to College? Look Further At St. Louis’ Starting QB
The 2025 UFL season starts in the spring, with eight teams playing 10 games each. Rosters are shaping up now, as of March 28, 2025. If Lingard lands with an offense-friendly squad like the St. Louis Battlehawks, he could shine. A strong showing might even catapult him back to the NFL.
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