Three quarterbacks to compete for Battlehawks starting job next year: Who are they?

ST. LOUIS - Spring football season is just a few months away. One of the biggest questions the St. Louis Battlehawks face heading into next year is who will take the reins as starting quarterback.

After parting ways with former fan-favorite A.J. McCarron, the Battlehawks are expected to open competition to three candidates for the starting job, sources tell FOX 2's sports department.

The Battlehawks just signed two former college football standouts to UFL deals on Thursday, and also plan to bring back one quarterback from last season's roster.

Candidates for the Battlehawks' starting quarterback job currently include the following three players...

Max Duggan

Max Duggan, 23, reportedly signed a contract Thursday with the St. Louis Battlehawks.

Duggan was the primary starting quarterback for Texas Christian University for four seasons from 2019-2022. He is best known for leading TCU on a surprise run in his senior year, during which the Horned Frogs finished 12-2, upset Michigan in the Fiesta Bowl, and advanced to the 2023 College Football Playoff National Championship.

The Los Angeles Chargers drafted Duggan with their seventh-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. He spent time bouncing between their active roster and practice squad before being released last August. Duggan has yet to appear in an NFL regular-season game.

Chevan Corderio

Chevan Corderio, 25, also reportedly signed a contract Thursday with the Battlehawks.

Corderio began his collegiate career with the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors but rose to prominence after transferring to the San Jose Spartans. Over two seasons as their primary starter, he won 14 games, threw 43 touchdowns, and earned Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year in 2022.

Corderio signed with the Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted free agent in April 2024, though he was released shortly after a rookie minicamp. He has yet to appear in an NFL regular-season game.

Manny Wilkins

Many Wilkins, 29, will rejoin the Battlehawks in 2025 after spending the last two seasons in a backup role behind McCarron.

Wilkins played four seasons at Arizona State University from 2015-2018, working his way to a starter's role in his final three seasons. He joined the NFL's Green Bay Packers after college as an unrestricted free agent. He was part of their 2019 practice squad prior to his release in 2020.

Willkins first joined the Battlehawks in February 2023. He played in five games last season, starting two while McCarron was injured. Wilkins finished with 600 all-purpose yards, one passing touchdown, and three rushing touchdowns in the 2024 UFL season.

On Deck

The 2025 United Football League season is set to begin on March 28, with the first preseason workouts presumably beginning in February or early-March.

Anthony Becht is currently expected to return to the Battlehawks as head coach for a third straight season, though he has reportedly been exploring some coaching opportunities outside the UFL this offseason as well.