The summer heat is peaking, which can only mean one thing across the Great Lakes Football League: draft season has officially arrived.
With the 2026 campaign looming, the league office has formally locked in the calendar for the most critical weeks of the offseason...
Key Offseason Dates & Deadlines
The board is set. Miami holds the keys to the kingdom at Pick 1 after a grueling offseason, while defending champion Boston will sit back and watch the carnage unfold before making their opening selection at the turn.
| Pick | Team | GM | Notes / Storyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Miami Inferno | Richard Head | On the clock! Do they go consensus top asset or swing big? |
| 2 | Brooklyn Bolts | Cory Colvin | Prime position to land a transcendent, tier-one superstar. |
| 3 | Vegas Knight Hawks | David Nguyen | Sin City holds the cards to dictate how the top 5 shakes out. |
| 4 | Cleveland Gladiators | Josh Thurmer | Positioned perfectly to snag elite value falling out of the top 3. |
| 5 | Chicago Slaughter | Darrien Clay | Sitting right in the sweet spot of the first-round talent tier. |
| 6 | Cedar Rapids Titans | Mitch Smith | The middle-of-the-pack pivot point—where draft strategies branch out. |
| 7 | Northern Arizona Wranglers | Jason Richmond | In prime position to steal a top-tier asset if run-on positions start early. |
| 8 | Philadelphia Soul | Brian Simmons | Brotherly Love front office looking to strike fast late in Round 1. |
| 9 | Los Angeles Wildcats | Liz Bautch | Hollywood spotlight shines on a pivotal late-round selection. |
| 10 | Milwaukee Mustangs | Michael Bautch | Two-time champs looking to reload and make another deep run. |
| 11 | Tucson Sugar Skulls | Mason Bautch | League Runner-Up: Picking late after a championship-caliber campaign. |
| 12 | Boston Brawlers | Chris Cholka | Defending Champions: Carrying the trophy and picking at the turn. |
Around the League: What to Watch Heading into August 23rd
The countdown is on. With keeper deadline day rapidly approaching, phones across the league are heating up. Expect heavy posturing, trade rumors regarding keeper-eligible talent, and last-minute roster posturing right up until the 7:00 PM CST deadline on August 23rd.
Will Richard Head and Miami reset the league balance at Pick 1? Can Chris Cholka stack another contender from the #12 slot?
Stay tuned to the league site all week as our team of beat writers breaks down keeper decisions, war room leaks, and training camp buzz for all 12 franchises!