Columbus Aviators Draft Gee Scott Jr. and Matthew Jones, Seven Former Ohio State Players on 2026 UFL Rosters

Former Ohio State tight end Gee Scott Jr. and offensive lineman Matthew Jones are among the players the Aviators selected during this week’s UFL draft, allowing them to return to Columbus to continue their professional football careers.

Columbus, he's home.#UFLDraft pic.twitter.com/aNTWE4YIjq

— Columbus Aviators (@UFLAviators) January 14, 2026

HOW ABOUT ANOTHER?

Gee Scott Jr. is returning to Columbus with the Aviators #UFLDraft pic.twitter.com/haZPQDZfWm

— Columbus Aviators (@UFLAviators) January 15, 2026

Jones and Scott are among seven former Ohio State players on UFL rosters following the league’s 2026 draft.

Before the draft started, the Houston Gamblers selected Damon Arnette and the Louisville Kings selected Steele Chambers to be on their 12-man Reserve Lists, preventing other teams from drafting them. Arnette played for the previously named Houston Roughnecks last season, while Chambers spent the 2025 UFL season with the Memphis Showboats, whose roster Louisville inherited after the UFL relocated three franchises this offseason.

The Dallas Renegades selected former Ohio State defensive tackle Antwuan Jackson Jr. on day one of the UFL draft, which consisted of players who were on UFL rosters in 2025 but were not protected by their teams from last season. Jackson, who’s been in the UFL since 2023, played for the Memphis Showboats last season.

Columbus selected Jones and Scott during the free agent portion of the draft, consisting of players who were not on UFL rosters to end the 2025 season. Also on day two of the draft, the Dallas Renegades selected former Ohio State cornerback Shaun Wade and the DC Defenders drafted former Ohio State offensive tackle Nicholas Petit-Frere.

None of Jones, Petit-Frere, Scott or Wade have previously played in the UFL.

Jones spent time with the Miami Dolphins and Arizona Cardinals after going unselected in the 2024 NFL draft, but was not picked up by another team after the Cardinals released him last April. Scott spent time on the New England Patriots’ and Washington Commanders’ practice squads this past season after going unseleced in the 2025 NFL draft.

Wade signed with the Chicago Bears last offseason but did not land with another team after the Bears released him from their injured reserve list in August. Petit-Frere signed with the San Francisco 49ers last offseason but did not land with another team after the 49ers waived him in June.

Two former Ohio State players who finished their college careers were also selected in the UFL draft. The Orlando Storm drafted former Buckeye wide receiver Sam Wiglusz, who transferred from Ohio State to Ohio University, while the Louisville Kings drafted former Buckeye linebacker Dallas Gant, who transferred from Ohio State to Toledo.

The Aviators had first dibs on selecting Ohio State players as part of the regional allocation process, but Columbus chose to use its three regional allocation picks on former Indiana linebacker Jailin Walker, Michigan offensive tackle Juwann Bushell-Beatty and Notre Dame tight end Alize Mack. The Aviators will have the right of first refusal to any players from Ohio State, Indiana, Michigan and Notre Dame – their allocated colleges – who become free agents during the 2026 UFL season.

Former Ohio State wide receiver Ted Ginn Jr. is the Aviators’ head coach, while former Ohio State quarterback Cardale Jones is a team ambassador.

The 2026 UFL schedule will be released next Thursday, Jan. 22. The season will begin March 27, with the Aviators playing their home games at Historic Crew Stadium.