A Storm is Brewing: Rockledge’s Jashaun Corbin Comes Home to Lead Orlando’s Newest Franchise
The confetti has barely been swept from the AFC Championship game, and for many on the Space Coast, the NFL season ended with a distinct sting. We watched our local hopefuls grind—Jawaan Taylor and the Chiefs bowing out, Gardner-Johnson’s Bears falling short, and, perhaps most painfully, Rockledge’s own Jashaun Corbin being released from the Patriots' practice squad just weeks before the Super Bowl.
But as one door closes in Foxborough, a massive, garage-door-sized window has opened right here in Central Florida.
Forget the Super Bowl for a moment. The real football story for the 321 isn’t happening in California; it’s happening 45 minutes west on the 528. Professional football is back in the City Beautiful, and this time, it has a distinctly local heartbeat.
Welcome to the era of the Orlando Storm. And welcome home, Jashaun Corbin.
The Perfect Storm for Space Coast Fans
On October 7, the United Football League (UFL) dropped a bombshell that reshaped the spring football landscape. They announced the Orlando Storm, a new franchise that replaces the San Antonio Brahmas in the league’s lineup. But for Brevard County, the realignment wasn’t just about a new logo or colors—it was about the roster.
By virtue of the league’s transfer rules, the Storm inherited the roster rights of the San Antonio Brahmas. For the uninitiated, that includes the rights to the UFL’s reigning rushing champion: Jashaun Corbin.
After his release from New England earlier this month, the path was cleared. Corbin isn't just a "camp body" or a "practice squad hopeful" here. He is the RB1. He is the face of the franchise. And he is playing his home games at Inter&Co Stadium, less than an hour from the field at Rockledge High where he first became a legend.
The "Rockledge Rocket" Returns
To understand why this is such a massive win for Space Coast sports fans, you have to look at Corbin’s trajectory.
In 2025, while playing for San Antonio, Corbin was arguably the best offensive player in the UFL. He led the league in rushing, earning All-UFL honors and proving that he belongs in professional football. That performance earned him his shot with the Patriots. Now, he brings that pedigree back to Florida.
For the Raider Nation in Rockledge, this is a dream scenario. We aren’t watching him on a grainy stream from Texas anymore. We can drive to downtown Orlando, tailgate, and watch a Brevard County product carry the rock 20 times a game.
Head Coach Anthony Becht—who was reassigned to Orlando after a successful stint in St. Louis—knows exactly what he has. Becht’s offense relies on a power run game to set up play-action, a system perfectly tailored to Corbin’s slash-and-dash style.
The Supporting Cast (and the Competition)
Corbin won't be doing it alone, and the Storm roster is shaping up to be a legitimate contender immediately.
The Quarterback Room: The Storm made waves by bringing in Dorian Thompson-Robinson. The former UCLA star and Browns draft pick is electric and pairs perfectly with Corbin in the backfield.
The Weapons: The team drafted Devonnsha Maxwell and Durrell Johnson to shore up the defense, but offensively, keep an eye on Abram Smith. The former Baylor running back was a top pick in the UFL draft, creating a "Thunder and Lightning" backfield with Corbin that might be the best in the league.
The Local Angle: While Corbin is the headliner, he’s not the only Florida boy on the squad. The Storm’s roster construction under Becht has been heavy on Sunshine State talent, looking to capitalize on the speed that defines Florida football.
Why This Hits Different
We’ve been burned before. The Orlando Apollos were the best team in the AAF before the league folded mid-season. The Orlando Guardians... well, the less said about that 2023 season, the better.
But the Orlando Storm feels different. The UFL has stabilized. The move to Inter&Co Stadium (the soccer stadium) instead of the cavernous Camping World Stadium is a game-changer. It’s going to be loud, intimate, and packed.
For Space Coast residents, this is our team. It’s not the Bucs (too far, too expensive). It’s not the Dolphins. It’s the Storm. It’s affordable, it’s accessible, and it features a player who knows what it means to grind it out on Friday nights in Brevard.
The Space Coast Pipeline Continues
While Corbin is the only active Brevard alum on the Storm’s initial 2026 roster, the proximity of the team means the door is always open. With the "Space Coast to Pro" pipeline pumping out talent from Cocoa, Viera, and Heritage every year, don't be surprised if we see more 321 talent donning the Storm’s orange and navy as the season progresses.
We’ll be keeping a close eye on free agents like C.J. Gardner-Johnson (who is currently a free agent and would instantly become the King of Orlando if he signed) or younger guys like Raheim "Rocket" Sanders if he shakes loose from the Browns.
Mark Your Calendars
The Storm season kicks off in March. For the first time in years, we don't have to "adopt" a team. We have one.
Jashaun Corbin is back. The Storm is here. And the drive to the game is shorter than a halftime show.
Prediction for the 2026 UFL Season: With Corbin leading the ground attack and Becht’s disciplined coaching, the Storm aren't just here to participate. They are the favorites to win the South. Projected Record: 8-2.
