Photo: Las Vegas Raiders
Tyreik McAllister isn’t planning an imminent return to the Canadian Football League, choosing instead to pursue the United Football League.
The five-foot-eleven, 180-pound speedster was recently selected by the Columbus Aviators in the 2026 UFL Draft. His agent has since informed 3DownNation that McAllister intends to play for the Aviators this season.
The 27-year-old played for the Las Vegas Raiders in 2024, rushing twice for 11 yards, returning two punts for 24 yards, returning two kickoffs for 49 yards, and making one tackle over three regular-season games. He finished the year on the team’s practice roster and subsequently signed a futures contract for 2025, though he was released in May.
McAllister reportedly worked out for at least two NFL teams following his release from the Raiders, though he didn’t sign a contract.
The native of Latta, S.C. had a breakout CFL season with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in 2023, leading the league in kickoff return average and all-purpose yards. McAllister recorded 13 carries for 52 yards, 27 receptions for 364 yards and two touchdowns, 41 kickoff returns for an average of 1,037 yards, 56 punt returns for an average of 602 yards, and seven missed field goal returns for 408 yards and one score.
Prior to playing in the CFL, McAllister spent a portion of the 2022 season on the practice roster with the Denver Broncos.
The University of Charleston product is considered a free agent north of the border, making him eligible to sign with any CFL team if he chooses to join one.
Canadian quarterback Taylor Elgersma was recently drafted by the UFL’s Birmingham Stallions and is listed on the team’s roster online, though he has not signed a contract with the team and remains a free agent.