Competitors, neighbors, golfing partners, and now, teammates.

Gulf Shores alum Brandon Silvers and St. Paul’s alum AJ McCarron will finally suit up for the same team after they both signed with the St. Louis Battlehawks of the United Football League, the newest professional spring football league created from the merger of the XFL and USFL.

The pair of former Alabamian college quarterbacks will make their return to their home state in Week 7 when St. Louis visits the Birmingham Stallions on Saturday, May 11, at 3 p.m.

Most recently, Silvers and McCarron were opponents in the XFL with the former on the Houston Roughnecks. After the latter went on to sign with the Cincinnati Bengals in the offseason, St. Louis retained McCarron’s rights if he were to return to the spring league.

On Feb. 14, Silvers was announced as one of three free-agent signings to the UFL after the Troy alum was originally undrafted in the dispersal process following the merger. Also on Wednesday, McCarron was granted his release from the Bengals and just two days later the Alabama alum was announced as the newest addition to the Battlehawks.

Last season at a glimpse

Silvers threw for the fifth-most passing yards (1,551) and fourth-most touchdowns (13) in the XFL last year over eight games. Entering Week 6, he was tied for first with the most 20-plus-yard completions (14) and was first with the most 40-plus-yard completions (6).

“In nine games last year, McCarron set an XFL-record by throwing 24 touchdowns for the Battlehawks,” a Friday release says. “He also led the league with a 68.8% completion rate and ranked second with 203 completions and 2,150 passing yards.”

Two chances to see another local face

St. Louis is set to open the 2024 season on the road against the Michigan Panthers on March 30. The Battlehawks’ first home game will be against the Arlington Renegades on April 6.

Another Baldwin County alum in former Spanish Fort Toro Trae Barry will be on display against the St. Louis Battlehawks twice this season. As XFL Division opponents, St. Louis will travel to face the D.C. Defenders on April 28 before hosting them on May 19.