2026 Columbus Aviators season

OwnerAlpha Acquico, LLC

Record1–4

2026 Columbus Aviators season

Owner	Alpha Acquico, LLC
Head coach	Ted Ginn Jr.
Home stadium	Historic Crew Stadium
Results
Record	1–4
Conference place	7th in UFL League
Uniform

Columbus Aviators 2027 →

The 2026 Columbus Aviators season is the inaugural season for the Columbus Aviators. They are members of the United Football League (UFL) and play their games at Historic Crew Stadium, and are led by head coach Ted Ginn Jr.

Coaching changes

On December 17, 2025, Ted Ginn Jr. was named the team's inaugural head coach.^[1] On February 23, 2026, the Aviators announced their full 2026 coaching staff.^[2]

On April 11, 2026, Ted Ginn Jr. was arrested for driving while intoxicated in Tarrant County, Texas, ahead of a game versus the Dallas Renegades. He was released the same day on a $1,000.00 bond.^[3]^[4] Offensive coordinator Todd Haley served as the interim coach for the game, which the Aviators would lose 28–23.^[5]^[6]

On April 14, 2026, it was announced that Ted Ginn Jr. would continue coaching the Aviators.^[7]^[8]

Draft

Teams were allowed to protect up to 12 players from their 2025 rosters. Following this process, the Columbus Aviators were allocated players from the roster of the defunct Michigan Panthers.^[9]

Staff

Columbus Aviators staff

	Head coach Head coach – Ted Ginn Jr. Offensive coaches Offensive coordinator – Todd Haley Running backs – Bob Saunders Wide receivers – Tito Overton Offensive line – Ronnie Vinklarek			Defensive coaches Defensive coordinator – Captain Munnerlyn Defensive line – Curtis Terry Linebackers – Larry Grant Defensive backs – Rasul Spain

Sources:^[10]^[11]

Current roster

**Columbus Aviators roster**
v
t
e
Quarterbacks (QB) 8 Jalan McClendon 2 Jalen Morton 12 Aidan Sayin Running backs (RB) 5 John Lovett 35 Toa Taua 4 ZaQuandre White Wide receivers (WR) 17 Yulkeith Brown 3 Keke Chism 14 Grant DuBose 81 Tay Martin 7 Jaylon Moore 84 Easop Winston Jr. 6 Antwane Wells Jr. Tight ends (TE) 88 Alizé Mack 87 Camren McDonald 84 Gunnar Oakes		Offensive linemen (OL) 69 Cohl Cabral LG 71 Matt Farniok C 77 Chuck Filiaga RG 64 Chris Glaser C 58 Bless Harris RT 69 Aaron Monteiro RT 75 Ryan Nelson LT 65 Wisdom Quarshie RG Defensive linemen (DL) 98 Patrick Jenkins DT 99 Walter Palmore DT 96 Caeveon Patton DT 52 Adam Plant Jr. DE 91 Ron Stone Jr. DE 48 Kenny Willekes DE 19 Perrion Winfrey DT		Linebackers (LB) 30 Xavier Benson ILB 10 Noah Dawkins ILB 1 Tony Fields II ILB 51 Fred Thompkins 57 Jailin Walker ILB Defensive backs (DB) 33 Henry Black SS 15 Akeem Dent FS 13 O'Donnell Fortune CB 22 Tre'von Jones CB 41 Michael Lawson FS 21 D. J. Miller Jr. CB 27 Smoke Monday CB 0 Leon O'Neal Jr. FS 23 Nehemiah Shelton CB 9 Cam Smith CB 32 Kedrick Whitehead Jr. FS 28 Kyree Woods CB Special teams (ST) 50 Payton Bunch LS 43 Ryan Coe K 83 Brad Robbins P		Reserve 20 Storey Jackson ILB (IR) 14 Rashard Davis WR (IR) 0 Devin Ross WR (IR) 51 active As of April 22, 2026. Rookies in italics. Roster

Schedule

All times Eastern

Week	Day	Date	Kickoff	TV	Opponent	Results		Location	Attendance
Week	Day	Date	Kickoff	TV	Opponent	Score	Record	Location	Attendance
1	Sunday	March 29	8:00 p.m.	ESPN	at Orlando Storm	L 16–23	0–1	Inter&Co Stadium	11,127
2	Friday	April 3	8:00 p.m.	Fox	DC Defenders	L 26–44	0–2	Historic Crew Stadium	14,810
3	Sunday	April 12	12:00 p.m.	ABC	at Dallas Renegades	L 23–28	0–3	Toyota Stadium	5,133
4	Friday	April 17	8:00 p.m.	Fox	Dallas Renegades	W 28–14	1–3	Historic Crew Stadium	8,729
5	Sunday	April 26	12:00 p.m.	ABC	at Houston Gamblers	L 13–17	1–4	Shell Energy Stadium	5,166
6	Friday	May 1	8:00 p.m.	Fox	Houston Gamblers			Historic Crew Stadium
7	Friday	May 8	8:00 p.m.	Fox	at St. Louis Battlehawks			The Dome at America's Center
8	Sunday	May 17	1:00 p.m.	Fox	at Birmingham Stallions			Protective Stadium
9	Saturday	May 23	3:00 p.m.	ABC	Birmingham Stallions			Historic Crew Stadium
10	Sunday	May 31	3:00 p.m.	Fox	Louisville Kings			Historic Crew Stadium

^[12]^[13]

Game summaries

Week 1: at Orlando Storm

Week 1: Columbus Aviators at Orlando Storm – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Aviators	6	0	0	10	16
Storm	6	3	14	0	23

at Inter&Co Stadium • Orlando, Florida

Date: March 29
Game time: 8:00 p.m. EDT
Game weather: Partly cloudy, 69 °F (21 °C)
Game attendance: 11,127
Referee: Bryan Banks
TV announcers (ESPN): Joe Tessitore, Jordan Rodgers, Sam Acho, Tom Luginbill
Game Book

Game information

First quarter

ORL – Jashaun Corbin 21-yard run (Michael Lantz kick), 13:47. Storm 6–0. Drive: 3 plays • 34 yards • 1:04
CLB – Ryan Coe 35-yard field goal, 9:08. Storm 6–3. Drive: 9 plays • 40 yards • 4:39
CLB – Ryan Coe 37-yard field goal, 1:52. Tied 6–6. Drive: 7 plays • 32 yards • 3:54

Second quarter

ORL – Michael Lantz 55-yard field goal, 0:00. Storm 9–6. Drive: 12 plays • 56 yards • 2:41

Third quarter

ORL – Jashaun Corbin 13-yard run (Michael Lantz kick), 11:02. Storm 16–6. Drive: 7 plays • 75 yards • 3:58
ORL – Chris Rowland 9-yard pass from Jack Plummer (Michael Lantz kick), 4:39. Storm 23–6. Drive: 8 plays • 109 yards • 4:08

Fourth quarter

CLB – Ryan Coe 33-yard field goal, 14:55. Storm 23–9. Drive: 9 plays • 50 yards • 4:44
CLB – Zaquandre White 3-yard run (Ryan Coe kick), 5:29. Storm 23–16. Drive: 13 plays • 75 yards • 7:21

Top passers

CLB – Jalan McClendon – 21/32, 212 yards
ORL – Jack Plummer – 17/22, 245 yards, TD

Top rushers

CLB – Zaquandre White – 3 rushes, 48 yards, TD
ORL – Jashaun Corbin – 15 rushes, 66 yards, 2 TD

Top receivers

CLB – Tay Martin – 7 receptions, 86 yards
ORL – Elijhah Badger – 4 receptions, 132 yards

Week 2: vs. DC Defenders

Week 2: DC Defenders at Columbus Aviators – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Defenders	7	17	14	6	44
Aviators	7	7	6	6	26

at Historic Crew Stadium • Columbus, Ohio

Date: April 3
Game time: 8:00 p.m. EDT
Game weather: Partly cloudy, 72 °F (22 °C)
Game attendance: 14,810
Referee: Michael Vandervelde
TV announcers (FOX): Curt Menefee, Joel Klatt and Brock Huard
Game Book

Game information

First quarter

DC – Deon Jackson 1-yard run (Matt McCrane kick), 10:37. Defenders 7–0. Drive: 8 plays • 43 yards • 4:23
CLB – Jalan McClendon 1-yard run (Ryan Coe kick), 3:46. Tied 7–7. Drive: 13 plays • 60 yards • 6:51

Second quarter

DC – Matt McCrane 35-yard field goal, 14:23. Defenders 10–7. Drive: 9 plays • 42 yards • 4:23
DC – Xazavian Valladay 10-yard run (Matt McCrane kick), 5:11. Defenders 17–7. Drive: 9 plays • 59 yards • 4:33
DC – Deon Jackson 12-yard run (Matt McCrane kick), 1:56. Defenders 24–7. Drive: 2 plays • 41 yards • 0:27
CLB – Zaquandre White 6-yard run (Ryan Coe kick), 0:55. Defenders 24–14. Drive: 3 plays • 15 yards • 0:18

Third quarter

DC – Deon Jackson 48-yard run (Matt McCrane kick), 7:46. Defenders 31–14. Drive: 2 plays • 50 yards • 0:49
DC – Briley Moore 21-yard pass from Jordan Ta'amu (Matt McCrane kick), 6:17. Defenders 38–14. Drive: 3 plays • 27 yards • 1:20
CLB – Alizé Mack 21-yard pass from Jalan McClendon (pass failed), 0:00. Defenders 38–20. Drive: 12 plays • 60 yards • 6:17

Fourth quarter

DC – Matt McCrane 25-yard field goal, 8:12. Defenders 41–20. Drive: 10 plays • 56 yards • 6:48
CLB – Tay Martin 3-yard pass from Jalan McClendon (pass failed), 3:22. Defenders 41–26. Drive: 10 plays • 75 yards • 4:50
DC – Matt McCrane 32-yard field goal, 1:56. Defenders 44–20. Drive: 4 plays • 4 yards • 1:21

Top passers

DC – Jordan Ta'amu – 8/11, 99 yards, TD, INT
CLB – Jalan McClendon – 23/37, 157 yards, 2 TD, INT

Top rushers

DC – Deon Jackson – 11 rushes, 97 yards, 3 TD
CLB – Jalan McClendon – 8 rushes, 55 yards, TD

Top receivers

DC – Cornell Powell, 4 receptions, 41 yards
CLB – Tay Martin, 6 receptions, 57 yards, TD

Week 3: at Dallas Renegades

Week 3: Columbus Aviators at Dallas Renegades – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Aviators	7	3	7	6	23
Renegades	0	14	14	0	28

at Toyota Stadium • Frisco, Texas

Date: April 12
Game time: 12:00 p.m. p.m. EDT
Game weather: Partly cloudy, 66 °F (19 °C)
Game attendance: 5,133
Referee: James Carter
TV announcers (ABC): Roy Philpott, Roddy Jones, Cole Cubelic, Max Browne
Game Book

Game information

First quarter

CLB – John Lovett 8-yard pass from Jalan McClendon (Ryan Coe kick), 10:25. Aviators 7–0. Drive: 8 plays • 40 yards • 4:35

Second quarter

DAL – Deontay Burnett 2-yard pass from Austin Reed (Colton Theaker kick), 11:30. Tied 7–7. Drive: 7 plays • 65 yards • 3:50
CLB – Ryan Coe 53-yard field goal, 4:26. Aviators 10–7. Drive: 6 plays • 22 yards • 2:48
DAL – Ajene Harris 3-yard interception return (Colton Theaker kick), 1:22. Renegades 14–10.

Third quarter

DAL – Dae Dae Hunter 1-yard run (Colton Theaker kick), 5:52. Renegades 21–10. Drive: 14 plays • 79 yards • 9:08
DAL – Emmanuel Butler 2-yard pass from Austin Reed (Colton Theaker kick), 2:43. Renegades 28–10. Drive: 2 plays • 9 yards • 1:32
CLB – John Lovett 2-yard run (Ryan Coe kick), 0:23. Renegades 28–17. Drive: 6 plays • 60 yards • 2:17

Fourth quarter

CLB – Antwane Wells Jr. 2-yard pass from Jalan McClendon (pass failed), 1:58. Renegades 28–23. Drive: 11 plays • 75 yards • 5:38

Top passers

CLB – Jalan McClendon – 26/34, 230 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT
DAL – Austin Reed – 18/30, 147 yards, 2 TD

Top rushers

CLB – Jalan McClendon – 5 rushes, 24 yards
CLB – John Lovett – 6 rushes, 24 yards, TD
DAL – Dae Dae Hunter – 11 rushes, 62 yards, TD

Top receivers

CLB – Tay Martin – 5 receptions, 49 yards
DAL – Tyler Vaughns – 5 receptions, 41 yards

Week 4: vs. Dallas Renegades

Week 4: Dallas Renegades at Columbus Aviators – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Renegades	7	7	0	0	14
Aviators	0	14	7	7	28

at Historic Crew Stadium • Columbus, Ohio

Date: April 17
Game time: 8:00 p.m. EDT
Game weather: Partly cloudy, 79 °F (26 °C)
Game attendance: 8,729
Referee: Kole Knueppel
TV announcers (FOX): Kevin Kugler, Joel Klatt and Jake Butt
Game Book

Game information

First quarter

DAL – Drake Stoops 17-yard pass from Austin Reed (Colton Theaker kick), 11:11. Renegades 7–0. Drive: 7 plays • 68 yards • 3:49

Second quarter

CLB – Zaquandre White 1-yard run (Ryan Coe kick), 12:16. Tied 7–7. Drive: 6 plays • 25 yards • 3:02
DAL – Emmanuel Butler 7-yard pass from Austin Reed (Colton Theaker kick), 7:02. Renegades 14–7. Drive: 10 plays • 80 yards • 5:14
CLB – Keke Chism 20-yard pass from Jalan McClendon (Ryan Coe kick), 0:50. Tied 14–14. Drive: 12 plays • 70 yards • 6:12

Third quarter

CLB – Alizé Mack fumble recovery in the end zone (Ryan Coe kick), 10:19. Aviators 21–14.

Fourth quarter

CLB – Toa Taua 2-yard run (Ryan Coe kick), 6:33. Aviators 28–14. Drive: 18 plays • 97 yards • 9:59

Top passers

DAL – Austin Reed – 13/27, 144 yards, 2 TD, INT
CLB – Jalan McClendon – 10/15, 126 yards, TD

Top rushers

DAL – Dae Dae Hunter – 6 rushes, 45 yards
CLB – John Lovett – 15 rushes, 80 yards

Top receivers

DAL – Tyler Vaughns – 5 receptions, 59 yards
CLB – Keke Chism – 4 receptions, 50 yards

Week 5: at Houston Gamblers

Week 5: Columbus Aviators at Houston Gamblers – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Aviators	0	13	0	0	13
Gamblers	7	7	0	3	17

at Shell Energy Stadium • Houston, Texas

Date: April 26
Game time: 12:00 p.m. EDT
Game weather: Partly cloudy, 81 °F (27 °C)
Game attendance: 5,166
Referee: Adam Savoie
TV announcers (ABC): Roy Philpott, Roddy Jones, Harry Douglas, Cole Cubelic
Game Book

Game information

First quarter

HOU – Jalen White 1-yard run (John Hoyland kick), 7:51. Gamblers 7–0. Drive: 13 plays • 75 yards • 7:09

Second quarter

HOU – Nolan Henderson 5-yard run (John Hoyland kick), 13:53. Gamblers 14–0. Drive: 12 plays • 65 yards • 6:51
CLB – Jalan McClendon 1-yard run (Ryan Coe kick), 8:57. Gamblers 14–7. Drive: 10 plays • 67 yards • 4:56
CLB – Toa Taua 7-yard run (kick failed), 0:32. Gamblers 14–13. Drive: 8 plays • 46 yards • 3:38

Third quarter

No scoring plays

Fourth quarter

HOU – John Hoyland 23-yard field goal, 14:20. Gamblers 17–13. Drive: 10 plays • 31 yards • 5:19

Top passers

CLB – Jalan McClendon – 15/22, 160 yards
HOU – Nolan Henderson – 13/25, 146 yards

Top rushers

CLB – Zaquandre White – 10 rushes, 38 yards
HOU – Nolan Henderson – 6 rushes, 37 yards, TD

Top receivers

CLB – Alizé Mack – 3 receptions, 42 yards
HOU – Lawrence Keys III – 3 receptions, 43 yards

Week 6: vs Houston Gamblers

Week 6: Houston Gamblers at Columbus Aviators – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Gamblers	0	0	0	0	0
Aviators	0	0	0	0	0

at Historic Crew Stadium • Columbus, Ohio

Date: May 1
Game time: 8:00 p.m. p.m. EDT
TV: FOX

Week 7: at St. Louis Battlehawks

Week 7: Columbus Aviators at St. Louis Battlehawks – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Aviators	0	0	0	0	0
Battlehawks	0	0	0	0	0

at The Dome at America's Center • St. Louis, Missouri

Date: May 8
Game time: 8:00 p.m. EDT
TV: FOX

Week 8: at Birmingham Stallions

Week 8: Columbus Aviators at Birmingham Stallions – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Aviators	0	0	0	0	0
Stallions	0	0	0	0	0

at Protective Stadium • Birmingham, Alabama

Date: May 17
Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
TV: FOX

Week 9: vs Birmingham Stallions

Week 9: Birmingham Stallions at Columbus Aviators – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Stallions	0	0	0	0	0
Aviators	0	0	0	0	0

at Historic Crew Stadium • Columbus, Ohio

Date: May 23
Game time: 3:00 p.m. EDT
TV: ABC

Week 10: vs Louisville Kings

Week 10: Louisville Kings at Columbus Aviators – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Kings	0	0	0	0	0
Aviators	0	0	0	0	0

at Historic Crew Stadium • Columbus, Ohio

Date: May 31
Game time: 3:00 p.m. EDT
TV: FOX

2026 UFL standings v t e
UFL League
Team	W	L	PCT	GB	TD+/-	TD+	TD-	PF	PA	DIFF	STK
DC Defenders	4	1	.800	–	7	19	12	172	99	73	W4
Orlando Storm	4	1	.800	–	4	11	7	104	77	27	L1
Dallas Renegades	3	2	.600	1	4	16	13	134	130	4	L2
St. Louis Battlehawks	3	2	.600	1	2	15	13	112	116	-4	W1
Louisville Kings	2	3	.400	2	-3	8	11	120	110	10	W2
Houston Gamblers	2	3	.400	2	-8	6	14	85	138	-53	W1
Columbus Aviators	1	4	.200	3	-4	10	14	106	126	-20	L1
Birmingham Stallions	1	4	.200	3	0	13	13	93	130	-37	L4
(x)–clinched playoff berth; (e)–eliminated from playoff contention

v t e Columbus Aviators
Founded in 2025 Based in Columbus, Ohio
Franchise	History Seasons
Stadiums	Historic Crew Stadium
Key personnel	Owners: Dwayne Johnson and Dany Garcia General manager: Head coach: Ted Ginn Jr.
Affiliations	League: United Football League (2025–present)
Seasons	2026

v t e 2026 UFL season
UFL League	Birmingham Stallions Columbus Aviators Dallas Renegades DC Defenders Houston Gamblers Louisville Kings Orlando Storm St. Louis Battlehawks
Draft • UFL Championship

2026 Columbus Aviators season

Coaching changes

Draft

Staff

Current roster

Schedule

Game summaries

Week 1: at Orlando Storm

Week 2: vs. DC Defenders

Week 3: at Dallas Renegades

Week 4: vs. Dallas Renegades

Week 5: at Houston Gamblers

Week 6: vs Houston Gamblers

Week 7: at St. Louis Battlehawks

Week 8: at Birmingham Stallions

Week 9: vs Birmingham Stallions

Week 10: vs Louisville Kings

Standings

References

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