Linebacker Prince Kwateng Looks Foward to Second UFL Season

Going into his second season in the United Football League, Sacramento Mountain Lions linebacker Prince Kwateng doesn’t have to look far to see how much the league has grown since the end of its inaugural season.

Opposite on offense in practice this year is former NFL All-Pro Daunte Culpepper, a quarterback who comes to the UFL with a myriad of accomplishments.

He has been to three Pro Bowls, been the cover athlete for the Madden video game franchise, and obtained the fifth best single-season passer rating of all time.

And now Culpepper is an NFL talent using the UFL as a springboard to Sunday football.

His signing not only shows the recognition of NFL players of the UFL as a legitimate football league, but also should increase the media coverage of the league.

“The higher-profile athletes that play, the more attention the league will get,” Kwateng said. “Then, if you make plays, you will have a better chance to get noticed. It’s a blessing for all of us.”

Kwateng believes Culpepper’s presence will not only give him a chance to be noticed by more scouts, but also improve his game by playing against a former elite NFL player.

“It’s going to be awesome,” said Kwateng, who also had a stint on the New Orleans Saints’ practice squad during 2009. “Everyday it’s going to be a great opportunity to practice against one of the best [quarterbacks] in the NFL’s history. The defense will get better because the offense is more talented, and we will all have to work harder.”

As has been exhibited by an increased on-line presence and expansion, the UFL is a league on the rise, but Kwateng disputes the notion that it’s simply a minor league system for the NFL.

“It’s really growing with the big-name signings and higher-caliber talent coming to the league,” he said. “Each year you want to keep growing and the league has great players, great coaches, great everything. It’s top-notch football, not minor leagues. It’s just another league and another opportunity for guys to continue to pursue their dreams."

The Mountain Lions held the team’s first mini-camp two weeks ago and it gave Kwateng an opportunity to reunite with teammates from last year as well as to meet the team’s new talent.

The mini-camp re-instilled Kwateng’s confidence in his team, but also brought him a new level of eagerness to start the season.

“Everyone is excited to just start the season,” the former Northwestern standout said. “Especially in our league with a lot of young guys, everyone is just ready to play.”

With this season being Kwateng’s second on the Mountain Lion franchise, he hopes to add a new role for himself in addition to starting linebacker.

“I am coming into season with a new mindset,” he said. “I am not a young guy. I’ve been here before, know the defense and know what the coaches expect. I want to make a lot of plays, but also be a vocal leader for the team.”

While his sole focus right now is helping the Mountain Lions win games, knowing that a strong UFL season could catapult him to the NFL just gives him more motivation to put in the hard work.

“I just focus on getting better each and every day in practice,” the 6-2, 230-pound Kwateng said. “You just have to keep telling yourself that nothing is given to you keep. So you have to work hard, take no days of and keep your eyes on the prize.”