After a nearly two-month break, the UFL Showcases have returned for the fall, beginning with Houston on Sunday, September 27. Houston Christian University played host to nearly 120 prospective UFL players working out in front of league scouts and coaches.
I was able to procure a roster of players attending this event and that's where I drew from the players profiled here. This is in addition to profiles provided by the UFL in a press release prior to the tryout. As I did for the D.C. Showcase when the roster was made available, I wanted to pick a few players at each position to spotlight. I attempted to include at least one player from a Power 5 school, when applicable, and one from a smaller school, since finding those undiscovered gems is a big part of what these Showcases are all about.
Once again, I'm using Dane Brugler's rankings in his yearly "The Beast" draft guide in The Athletic, one of the most in-depth and respected lists out there, to give perspective on how these players were viewed by the draft community coming out of college.
This article is part one and will feature the offense. Part two, a look at the defensive participants from the Houston Showcase, will appear in the coming days.
*QB Sawyer Robertson, Baylor: A 27-game starter in three years at Baylor after transferring in from Mississippi State, Robertson became a prolific passer of the football in the Bears' spread offense. In his final season in 2025, Robertson unleashed the rock over 500 times, throwing 31 touchdowns against 12 interceptions. That followed a season where his TD/INT ratio was 28-to-8. At a verified 6'3" and 216 pounds, Robertson has the requisite size for the position. He's not a threat to run, however. Robertson was ranked as the 12th-best QB in the 2026 NFL Draft by Brugler (ahead of Washington Commanders draft pick Athan Kaliakmanis and recent undrafted starter Jalon Daniels). He went to rookie minicamp with the New York Giants and Las Vegas Raiders, then tried out at June minicamp with the Denver Broncos. Robertson went unsigned at each stop. Among my notes in scouting Robertson last year versus Auburn: "controls the line of scrimmage...quiet feet in the pocket...had gaudy passing stats but much of that came with yards after catch."
*QB Kyron Drones, Virginia Tech: Originally a Baylor recruit, Drones made his way to Blacksburg in 2023. He became the starter that year and for the following two seasons. Unfortunately, Drones played on a bad Hokies team (3-9) in 2025, though he still set career highs in completions, touchdown passes and rushing touchdowns. In total, he threw 45 touchdown passes to 19 interceptions, rushing for another 22 TDs. The 27th-ranked QB in the class by Brugler, Drones was signed by Green Bay after the draft as a free agent. He was cut on August 15, days after going 0-for-1 passing and taking three sacks in the pre-season opener. He had a workout a few days later with the Miami Dolphins but has been off the NFL radar since then.
*QB Jack Turner, Texas A&M-Kingsville: Coming up via the JUCO route, first at Navarro Junior College before moving up to Louisiana Tech, Turner made a home at Kingsville in 2025. For the first time in college, Turner found himself as a full-time starter. He threw for 25 touchdowns and 3,420 yards. According to the school's website, it was "one of the top quarterback seasons in program history." He fits the physical profile, standing over 6'4" and weighing in at 226 pounds at his pro day in the spring. Turner was QB61 for Brugler and he did not sign with nor participate in any teams' rookie minicamps after the draft.
*RB Mike Perisee, Western Michigan: The elder statesman of this Houston Showcase, Perisee is 40 years old, last having been in college in the late aughts. At that time, Perisee was a defensive back, though he's listed as a running back on the Showcase roster. Perisee was a walk-on in 2008 and 2009 but did not play during the season with WMU. He did play for New Mexico Junior College prior to being a Bronco, however, during that team's run to the national title game.
*RB Nehemiah Martinez, Abilene Christian: Another player participating at a different position than they played in college, Martinez at least stayed on the same side of the line of scrimmage. Originally a slot receiver, Martinez worked out of the backfield in Houston. You could see that development start to take shape in his last year at Texas Tech in 2023 before spending 2024 with ACU: In that season, he carried the ball 13 times but caught just two passes. He was a full-time starter at Abilene Christian in addition to being the main punt returner. An All-UAC First-Team selection, Martinez raked in the third-most passes (76) in a single season in school history, while also cracking the top ten in receiving touchdowns (10). Way down the list at receiver #335 ranked by Brugler in 2025, Martinez nevertheless blazed a 4.48 40 at his pro day.
*TE Devyn Gibbs, Lamar: One of only two TEs listed on the Houston Showcase roster, Gibbs made 35 starts in college across 48 career games. He caught 68 passes during that time, with his best season coming as a senior in 2025. A First-Team All-Southland Conference selection, Gibbs caught 18 passes for 166 yards. That came on the heels of a Second-Team All-Southland Conference honor as a junior. Gibbs was remarkably consistent in the pass game, with 19, 14, 17 and 18 catches from his freshman to senior seasons. He was the 131st tight end ranked by Brugler in 2026.
*WR Daylen Baldwin, Michigan: A veteran of four NFL teams from 2022-2024, Baldwin transferred twice in his college career before it was the vogue thing to do. From Morgan State, he went to Jackson State where he led the conference in receiving in the spring 2021 season (delayed due to COVID). Eventually, Baldwin became a favorite target of future first-round NFL draft pick J.J. McCarthy at Michigan. He showed a propensity for getting deep, averaging over 15 yards per catch on 17 receptions in 2021. Baldwin ran a 4.7 40 in pre-draft workouts, which did not help his draft stock (Brugler had him as WR114). After signing as a UDFA with Cleveland during training camp, Baldwin hung around for two seasons, getting into one game and making two catches in 2023. Short stops in Minnesota, Atlanta and Arizona preceded time with Calgary of the CFL in 2025.
*WR Josh Johnson, Tulsa: Joining Baldwin as a member of the 2022 NFL Draft class, Johnson was more highly regarded coming out than Baldwin. An Iowa State transfer, Johnson worked primarily out of the slot and became an immediate contributor with the Golden Hurricanes in 2019. He broke out as a senior in 2021, nabbing 83 balls for 1,114 yards and six touchdowns. An ankle injury limited what Johnson could do at the NFL Combine prior to 2022's draft. He then ran a 4.60 40 at his pro day. Brugler gave him a 7th round grade as the 33rd-ranked receiver, writing, "Johnson doesn’t have the physical traits or ball skills that will strike fear in the heart of defenses, but he is a promising route runner and can get open for his quarterback." After spending some time with the Detroit Lions in the NFL, Johnson headed up north and played 10 games for Winnipeg in 2024, catching 18 passes that year.
*G Jacoby Jackson, Mississippi State: A member of several honor rolls and All-Academic teams, Jackson excelled on the field as well as in the classroom. He participated in 51 games, starting 38, during his three years at Texas Tech and two at Miss State. He brings versatility on the interior, having started games at both right and left guard in his career. Despite his experience and size, Jackson's relative athletic score of 2.97 out of 10 leaves something to be desired. That said, he found his way onto Brugler's rankings as the 50th guard in the class. A tryout with the Green Bay Packers in May's rookie minicamp has been the only sniff of the pros for Jackson thus far.
*C Jack Walsh, Wyoming: A second-generation Cowboy, Walsh followed in his father's footsteps both by playing the offensive line and attending Wyoming. A three-year starter inside, Walsh was credited without a sack given up on 650 snaps as a junior in 2024, per Pro Football Focus. He can play center or guard, though Brugler ranked him with the centers coming out this past year, the 16th at that position. Walsh attended minicamps in May and June as a tryout player for the Denver Broncos. He was also a participant in the Hula Bowl post-season all-star game.