Although he could not single-handedly secure a win for the Ƶ Battlehawks in their 2024 opener, receiver Marcell Ateman provided what he hoped would be a preview of his season.
On a late fourth-down play at Michigan, the 6-foot-4 Ateman rose high between two defenders to snag a pass from A.J. McCarron at the 5-yard line. That catch made it possible for him to make another fourth-down play as he tiptoed along the sideline to score a go-ahead touchdown.
A year ago, Ateman wasn’t ready to go because of injuries. He quickly served notice he planned to be a major weapon this season.
“I take it as a challenge every day to stay mentally sharp and compete,” he said. “We have to want to be great. I didn’t like being hurt those four games. It really hurt me, so I emphasized making sure my body is right.”
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Ateman had a pair of touchdown catches in the Battlehawks’ win over Arlington on Saturday. He leads the United Football League in receiving yards through two weeks with 174 and three TDs.
The Oklahoma State product has NFL experience over parts of three seasons with the Raiders. He signed with Buffalo last June and was with the club until being released in October.
If his first game signaled he’s healthy and ready to contribute, the second showed what he can do to get a win. He had four receptions for 114 yards, with 55 coming after the catch. Next up for the Battlehawks is a game at 2 p.m. Sunday at San Antonio.
“Marcell is a leader in the receiver room, and he’s a veteran who’s been in NFL offenses,” offensive coordinator Bruce Gradkowski said. “To see how he’s started the season is unbelievable because that was our expectations last year. But he dealt with injuries, and as a receiver, you have to be able to play fast. I’m just happy for Marcell that he’s doing what he’s capable of doing.”
Ateman was the second pick in the 2023 XFL draft by the Battlehawks while he was trying to stick in the NFL. While at Oklahoma State, he had 146 catches for 2,466 yards and 13 TDs. He has 20 NFL catches.
He’ll be 30 this year and has a 7-year-old son but does not feel like he’s close to ending his playing days.
“I haven’t lost my love of the game,” he said. “I love waking up early and going to work out and taking care of my body. My son’s getting older, so I’m out throwing the football with him. I just love being around the guys. I feel I’ve got a lot to prove to myself. I still feel young.”
Ateman has stepped up along with returning receiver Darrius Shepherd, who has a team-best 14 catches, in the absence of injured Jahcour Pearson. Ateman stands out for his height, along with 6-6 receiver Hakeem Butler.
The ability to outjump defensive backs provides an element that could be a difference-maker. That appeared to be the case in the opening game as Ateman gave the Battlehawks the lead before a record-breaking field goal changed the outcome.
“Pretty sick,” head coach Anthony Becht said of Ateman’s big plays that day. “Some of the things that go unseen by him are the blocks on the outside as well as becoming a complete receiver. He really shined at the end of last year, and now he’s healthy with fresh legs and is a big target. He can clearly make spectacular catches over DBs who, quite frankly, can’t guard him in that sense.”
The Battlehawks have had other offensive highlights. McCarron is No. 1 in the UFL with 464 passing yards, and he has four TD passes without an interception. Running back Mataeo Durant had the first 100-yard rushing game in the team’s short history. And Shepherd is first in the UFL in all-purpose yards thanks to his return yardage combined with receiving yards.