TCU Athletics
Max Duggan leading the charge.
There’s a certain kind of magic to Max Duggan. You could feel it under the bright lights of Amon G. Carter Stadium, where he turned games into epics and Fort Worth nights into symphonies of cheers. That magic has now found a new home: St. Louis. The former Horned Frog star has signed with the St. Louis Battlehawks of the United Football League (UFL), a fresh start for a quarterback who’s always been about defying the odds.
Duggan’s time at TCU was nothing short of legendary. In 2022, he put the Horned Frogs on his back and carried them to heights unseen, culminating in a College Football Playoff win over Michigan and a trip to the national championship game. His 3,698 passing yards, 32 touchdowns, and nine rushing scores that season weren’t just stats; they were a declaration. A Davey O'Brien Award, Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year, and Heisman runner-up nod later, Duggan’s name was etched into the lore of TCU football forever.
But the NFL proved to be a tougher mountain to climb. Drafted in the seventh round by the Los Angeles Chargers in 2023, Duggan found himself in a backup role, his opportunities limited to preseason flashes. By August 2024, he was cut, a bittersweet end to his NFL chapter. Yet, as Duggan has shown time and time again, every end is just another beginning.
Now, Duggan is heading to St. Louis, joining a Battlehawks team that’s hungry for a championship. The 2024 season saw the Battlehawks finish 7-3 and come within a game of the XFL title. Duggan will be stepping into a quarterback room that includes Manny Wilkins and Chevan Cordeiro, according to Sports Illustrated. Both bring talent and experience, but Duggan’s dual-threat skillset and relentless drive could be the spark that pushes St. Louis over the top.
For Duggan, the UFL offers a chance to play, to lead, and to remind the football world of what he can do. His ability to throw on the run, his powerful legs (423 rushing yards and nine TDs in 2022), and his unshakable spirit make him a natural in a league that thrives on showcasing raw talent.
Duggan isn’t the first Horned Frog to make waves in an alternate league. KaVontae Turpin, another TCU standout, was named MVP of the USFL in 2022 before earning a spot with the Dallas Cowboys. Duggan undoubtedly hopes to follow in Turpin’s footsteps, proving that the road to NFL success can take some detours.
As March 28, 2025, approaches — the kickoff date for the UFL season — all eyes will be on St. Louis. For Duggan, it’s a second chance to do what he’s always done best: rise to the occasion and deliver.
