A James Madison product who won a UFL championship with the DC Defenders before finally sticking on an NFL practice squad and now the Jets' roster.
Liam Fornadel is an offensive guard for the Jets whose journey to the NFL took him through the CFL and the UFL before he found a foothold in New York. The New Jersey native's resume includes a UFL championship with the DC Defenders, a credential few of his fellow linemen can claim.
Path to the league
Fornadel, from Ramsey, New Jersey, played at Don Bosco Prep before starring at James Madison from 2017 to 2021, appearing in 54 games with 41 starts. He went undrafted in 2022 and signed with the CFL's Winnipeg Blue Bombers, but was released within weeks.
Career highlights
Fornadel found consistent success in the XFL and UFL with the DC Defenders, earning All-XFL honors in 2023 after starting all 12 games, and was part of the Defenders' UFL championship team in 2025. That production helped him land NFL opportunities with the New England Patriots and later the New York Jets.
2025 season recap
After a practice-squad stint with New England in 2024, Fornadel signed with the Jets in July 2025. He moved between the active roster and practice squad through the season, including a September 2025 elevation, as he worked to establish himself as depth along New York's interior offensive line.
Sources
- Wikipedia: Liam Fornadel
- New York Jets: Liam Fornadel signing
Player Profile
Background
- Position
- Guard
- Group
- offense
- College
- James Madison
- Hometown
- -
- Age
- 27
- Status
- active
