Get to Know Your 2026 AAL Teams: Jersey Bearcats

One of the four teams that will take the Arena Football world by storm this season is the Jersey Bearcats. As you read on you'll find out everything you need to know about the AAL2 Legacy Franchise from Rossel, NJ. AJ Roque, the owner and head Coach, is a player-first, forward-facing coach who only ever wants to see his players advance and the sport grow. 

If you're looking for a grind-it-out group of guys to root for, AJ and the Bearcats are it! Read ahead to catch everything you need to know about the Bearcats, including last year's campaign and the outlook for 2026.

Basic Info:

Established:2018

2025 League/Record: AAL2 9-2

Location: Roselle, NJ

Home Arena/Capacity: Warinanco Sports Center

Owner: AJ Roque

Coaching Staff

Head Coach(& OC): AJ Roque

DC: Ja Valentine

OL: David Pinto

DB: Anthony Shaw

LB: Steven Nelson

Special Teams and QB: Darnell Roque

2025 Recap & AAL2 History

Going back to the very first season of the AAL2 in 2023, the Bearcats have absolutely run the league, on the field and administratively. After taking 2022 as a year of dormancy to restructure overall league-wise. They had previously played in the Major Indoor Football League, and then, in what was the last stand of the original AAL in a partial merger. While in the MILF they made easy work of the competition routinely playing for or winning the league title.

Roque, even with the Bearcats moving up to the AAL, serves as the commissioner of the AAL2. Unbelievably the 2026 season will be the very first that won't see Jersey play in the AAL2 playoffs, as they have either won the AAL2 (2023) or lost to one of their AAL counterparts, against Wheeling in 2024 and Mississippi in 2025 in the playoffs or title game. The AAL will be a clear step up in competition, winning and recruiting talent at a high level is already the standard in Jersey. 

They have produced a long list of call-ups to the NAL and some even higher than that. If you check around you'll find Bearcats all around the country. The most recent example is without a doubt PJ Thomas the 2025 AAL2 MVP. Thomas appeared on several NAL rosters before ultimately heading south to sign with the Mississippi WolfPack. The same Mississippi that they lost to on a last-second play in the 2026 AAL2 championship game.

They are the second-oldest team in the AAL, with the second-most titles and playoff appearances of the 2026 four. Any fans of the Bearkats know that's not always about grabbing the best talent but developing the best talent, which we would rank Jersey first in the AAL.

The 2025 season just like many before it was above par, to the tune of a 7-1 regular season to be exact. The only loss came late, and ended a 6-game winning streak that ultimately propelled them through the playoffs. Anyone who kept up with the AAL2 in 2025 could immediately tell that the talent in the jersey was above the level of competition it was facing. In a two-game stretch during weeks four and five, they would outscore opponents 73-14.

After the untimely loss Jersey would dominate in weeks nine and ten, once again blowing out ALL2 North opponents, this time 76-32. They would get revenge in the first round 30-13 in the first round, and go on to win every playoff game by 15+ points, including a 47-0 thrashing of the Avengers en route to a title game match-up against fellow ALL move up Mississippi. The home title game would end in absolute heartbreaking (and controversial) fashion 32-29. It was a sore loss but none of us could have known it would lead to the head-turning stat we previously mentioned.  

2026 Outlook

Stacked, as usual. Even with all of the changes you'll see them field a team on par with that of any of their competition. The roster already reads of plenty of experience. That experience at the developmental and pro level. As we have really keyed on, AJ and his coaching staff will develop in a fashion that gives them an edge over even the most expensive of rosters. The overall concentration of talent in the AAL will be tough to overcome, and will see the bearcats take their lumps. 

The overall leadership in the Jersey coaching staff, paired with an experienced, driven leader like Matteo Rodirigez under center will give them a chance as the season goes along. Don't expect Jersey to light up anyone that isn't in the AAL2, but this is NEVER the type of team to lie down. They will be in every single game they play this season. The competition in the American Arena League will be stiff, but well matched, don't be surprised if the Bearcats are holding a trophy at the end. Don't be surprised if they are 4/4 in the final standings, but fully expect a hard-nosed, downhill type of squad that makes you earn every yard.

2026 Roster and Draft Class

2/1/26	Matteo Rodriguez	QB	Stetson University
2/3/26	Dominick Williams	LB/DB	Wesley College/Rutgers University
2/3/26	Dylan McCollough	WR	Post University
2/3/26	Tyreek Noble	DL/LB	Nassau Community College
2/3/26	Jakier Royster	RB	N/A
2/3/26	Tykey Reinberry	WR/DB	Shippensburg University
2/3/26	Joey Ward	RB	N/A
2/3/26	Phillip Meikle	WR	St. Thomas Aquinas College
2/6/26	Charles Faulkner III	LB	William Patterson
2/6/26	Kevin Pisarz	LB/DL	Long Island University
2/7/26	Brandon Perot	DL	Delaware Valley University
2/12/26	Naim Archer	DB	N/A
2/23/26	Jalil Tyler	DL	N/A
2/23/26	Nicolas Price	LB/DB	N/A
2/23/26	Mannie Stewart	WR/DB	Nassau C.C.
2/23/26	Hezekiah Frazier	WR	SUNY Morrisville
2/23/26	Joey Ramierez	DL	Montclair State
3/24/26	Nicholas Price	LB/DB
3/24/26	Mannie Stewart	WR/DB	Nassau Community College
3/24/26	Hezekiah Frazier	WR	SUNY Morrisville
3/24/26	Todd Simmons Jr	WR	Wagner College
3/24/26	Tarik Pusey	DB/LB	University of Rhode Island
3/24/26	Kyle Ward	WR/DB	Long Island University
3/24/26	Willie Garner	DL	Fairleigh Dickinson University
3/24/26	Zahere Ritman	OL	William Paterson University
3/24/26	Nasir Adams	RB/DL	William Paterson University
3/24/26	Kyle Rinsky	OL	Fordham University
3/24/26	Jonathan Cardoza-Chicas	K	Delaware State University
3/24/26	Key'mann Coleman	LB	William Paterson University
3/24/26	Justin Piper	LB	Lincoln University
3/24/26	Davante LeGrand	DB	Nassau Community College
3/24/26	Barry Turner	DB	Delaware Valley University
3/24/26	Dwayne Larkin	OL	Lincoln University - Missouri
3/24/26	Dyllon Lacroix	DL	Shippensburg University/Suny Morrisville
3/24/26	Elijah Mckenzie	OL	Lackawanna College
3/24/26	Haniel Jeremy	WR/DB	Arkansas Baptist College

With the draft now complete we can see the four players selected by the Bearcats and look at how they fit on the roster.

Selection Number	Player Name	Position	AAL2 Team
4	Andre Parker	QB	Tri-State Panthers
5	Gavin Bunt	LB	Tri-State Panthers
12	Dante Morgan	DE	Tri-State Panthers
13	Thomas Hurley	ATH	New Jersey Eagles

In round one the Bearcats selected quarterback Andre Parker of the Tri-State Panthers. Parker briefly attended Delaware State University before transferring to Albright where he would finish out his college career. Ultimately he signed with the Panthers for the 2026 season and immediately applied for the draft. Jersey needed another young prospect at the position behind Matteo Rodriguez who returns as the starter in 2026. Parker will get high level coaching and buy his time before being asked to shoulder the load for a team indoors.

In round two the Bearcats looked to defense solidifying their linebacker group by selecting Gavin Bunt a teammate of Andre Parker's with the Panthers. Bunt is an active linebacker who has no issue getting sideline to sideline and holds value in the passing game or in run defense. He can also rush the passer when needed. He may not wind up a starter right away but he could end up taking valuable snaps rotationally and on special teams before possibly playing his way into the lineup.

In round three the Bearcats double-tapped on defense this time bringing in defensive lineman Dante Morgan selecting their third straight Panthers player says a lot about the talent level the Panthers have. Morgan is a versatile player at 6'2 220 pounds he can play defensive end, linebacker, or even tight end, and maybe some fullback if asked. He could be one of the players made to be active on a weekly basis due to his versatility and body type which allows him to hold value in many roles, including special teams.

Finally in round four the Bearcats selected athlete Thomas Hurley who has played multiple positions during his college career. Beginning his career there listed as a QB/WR at 5'10 175 he later would see snaps at running back and safety with Sacred Heart University. Hurley is a rookie, and his value could be unrivaled given his ability to play at least 4 positions in any given game.

Final Word

The Bearcats look like a championship contender once again on paper, however this season is different. Playing against the likes of Columbus, Wheeling, and Mississippi, Jersey will have to be on their A-Game in order to come out of the 2026 AAL on top.

The Bearcats and the AAL are not new, but this relaunch allows fans to watch the rebirth, and ultimately the growth of the AAL. The AAL is already working to continue their growth in 2027 and have had many inquiries about expansion next season. The future is bright for the AAL.

Written by Matt Ryzir