With more than 74 UFL players from 2026 on NFL rosters, and including previous seasons, 88 spring players overall, this preseason has been thrilling for UFL football fans. But Sunday, August 30th, is the day for final roster cutdowns. Who did enough to convince their NFL team they deserve a place on the 53-man roster?
Which players dominated and earned their roster spot? Find out who stood out in the NFL preseason finale.
Louisville Kings UFL To NFL -The Final Verdict
The Louisville Kings Championship team at one time had a total of 17 players signed to NFL rosters. By the end of Saturday, two players had already been released.
Isaiah Winstead, the Kings' leading wide receiver, was only recently signed by the Pittsburgh Steelers. However, after not recording any stats on Thursday and playing only 10 snaps, it was announced Friday evening that the Steelers released Winstead.
Signed earlier this week to the Miami Dolphins, LB Jaheim Thomas, who led Louisville this year in tackles played in his first game for the Dolphins, recording 4 tackles (2 solo). Unfortunately, on Saturday afternoon, it was reported by Adam Schefter that Thomas was waived by the Dolphins.
Ian Wheeler: (RB) Buffalo Bills v Pittsburgh Steelers
The Buffalo Bills had an impressive come-from-behind 28-27 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday night. Ian Wheeler, the United Bowl MVP, scored the final touchdown with 1:06 remaining, which led to the game-winning 2-point conversion by Dante Pettis. It was his second preseason touchdown.
Wheeler had nine carries for 23 yards with one touchdown and caught both of his receiving targets for another 10 yards. Throughout the preseason, Wheeler has been neck-and-neck with his primary competition, Bills’ second-year RB Frank Gore, Jr., and Thursday night was no exception.
Gore, Jr. had another strong performance with 10 carries for 27 yards with one touchdown and five receptions (on five targets) for 45 yards. The snap count may indicate who has the competitive edge, with Gore, Jr. getting 20 snaps and Wheeler getting 15 snaps.
After spending 2025 in Buffalo, Gore Jr. was already familiar with their system, playbook, and coaching staff. That gave him an edge entering the preseason. However, Wheeler has proved just as productive within a shortened time frame and matched him at every turn.
Verdict: Wheeler has earned a roster spot
During the NFL preseason, Wheeler totaled 120 rushing yards on 30 carries with two touchdowns and four receptions for 31 yards. He’s made it clear he wants to remain in Buffalo. However, should Gore Jr. make the roster instead of him, there is no doubt Wheeler will be snapped up immediately by another NFL team.
Cam Gill: Carolina Panthers (OLB) v Houston Texans
The Carolina Panthers closed out their preseason with a 16 -13 victory over the Houston Texans. Once again, the UFL Defensive Player of the Year Cam Gill became an impact playmaker in the Carolina Panthers’ season finale. He had two tackles and a crucial fumble recovery to seal the victory for the Panthers. With just 54 seconds remaining in the game, he recovered a forced fumble by Jeremiah Moon to end the game and secure the victory for Carolina. This was Gill’s third fumble recovery of the preseason, and he leads the NFL with that statistic. No other player has accomplished what Gill has by recovering three fumbles during the NFL preseason.
Verdict: Gill has earned a roster spot
Due to the serious injury of the Panthers' talented second-year player Nic Scourton, the team needed to fill a significant gap left by his absence. They immediately turned to Gill, a familiar face who had previously signed with the team during the past two preseasons. While Gill never survived the roster cutdown in the past, this season is different as a result of his time in the UFL. The skills he honed as the UFL Defensive Player of the Year and the reputation he earned as a game disruptor were on full display during the NFL preseason. There is no doubt that Gill proved he can play at the NFL level. He's earned his place on the Panthers' roster.
Detroit Lions v Indianapolis Colts
No team has been more UFL-friendly over the past three seasons than the Detroit Lions. With three players on their roster in 2025 (Jake Bates, Jacob Saylors, and Nick Whiteside), the Lions aggressively added several more players this season, including two Louisville wide receivers, Tarik Black and Lucky Jackson.
Tarik Black (WR) Detroit Lions
After scoring the lone touchdown in the Lions' first preseason game, a loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, it looked as if Black might have the upper hand in the battle for the final WR roster spot. Unfortunately, on Saturday afternoon, Black was only targeted one time, and he missed.
Verdict: Black is most likely a roster casualty
Lucky Jackson (WR) Detroit Lions
A week ago, it appeared as if Jackson was the odd man out with Black, and Columbus Aviator's standout Tay Martin locked into a battle for the final WR slot in Detroit. After today's 25-16 victory over the Colts, that's no longer the case. Jackson was the team's leading receiver with five catches on five targets for 94 yards. His best catch of the day was a stunning 35-yard reception from Josh Dobbs that set up Martin for a touchdown on the next play.
The only blemish on Jackson's day was a miscommunication early in the game that had him blocking downfield instead of running his route. The error caused a Sauce Garner interception of rookie quarterback Luke Altmyer.
Verdict: Jackson is on the roster bubble
There's no doubting Jackson's talent as a receiver. He has a gift for solid route running and coming down with the football. He's caught seven receptions for 109 yards in three games. However, the Lions have an overcrowded receiving room, and Martin could have a slight edge with his ability to block in the run game and be a force on special teams.
Nonetheless, Jackson has proved himself enough to justify, at the very least, a practice squad role.
Bryce Hall (CB) Houston Texans
Louisville cornerback Bryce Hall was one of the last players signed to an NFL team this preseason. Signed on August 17th, Hall barely had time to unpack before his first game with the team three days later. Nonetheless, on August 20th, Hall produced six tackles (four solo) in the close 22-20 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders. On Friday, in the 16-13 loss to the Carolina Panthers, Hall gave another strong performance, recording four tackles (two solo) and one pass defense.
Verdict: Hall is on the bubble
The only reason Hall is on the bubble is because of the brief time he spent with the team. However, given how little time he had and the results he produced in 10 days, he's made a strong case for a roster spot. However, if he doesn't make the 53-man cut, Hall is a player the Texans will want to retain as a developmental prospect on the practice squad.
Tanner Brown: (K) New Orleans Saints at Dallas Cowboys
Special Teams Player of the Year, Tanner Brown, spent the preseason locked in a tough competition against Charlie Smyth for the starting role. Unfortunately, after a back-and-forth training camp with both kickers missing field goals and extra points, neither kicker gave the Saints enough confidence in their reliability.
Earlier this week, former Raiders Pro-Bowl kicker Daniel Carlson was signed as a free agent. With Carlson tapped to kick both field goals and an extra point, both Brown and Smyth contributed only an extra point each in the Saints' 28-24 victory over the Cowboys.
Verdict: Brown is on the bubble
The verdict is still out on Carlson, Brown, and Smyth. Nonetheless, if Brown isn’t signed to the Saints roster, it’s likely another NFL team will be interested in acquiring his strong, steady leg this season.
Isaiah Bolden (CB) Philadelphia Eagles
Another late August training camp signee, Isaiah Bolden, has faced more than his share of challenges in trying to make an NFL roster. Signed by the Eagles on August 17th, Bolden played 39 defensive snaps in preseason Week 2, recording one solo tackle and a pass defense. This past week, in a losing 30-13 contest to the Cincinnati Bengals, he played 28 snaps, recording one solo tackle, but early in the fourth quarter, Bolden limped off the field with an apparent injury.
Verdict: Bolden is most likely a roster casualty
Despite making a solid effort, Bolden simply didn't have enough time with the Eagles to earn a roster spot. Given his injury history, the fact that he left the game early on Friday night is a concern. In addition, Dallas Renegades cornerback Shaun Wade is also on the roster for Philadelphia and has outplayed Bolden over the past two games, recording 14 tackles, two PBUs, and forcing a fumble. If an Eagles roster spot is given to a UFL cornerback, it will be going to Wade.
Kaden Prather (WR) Green Bay Packers
Kaden Prather was targeted three times in the Green Bay Packers 42-38 victory over the Arizona Cardinals. He caught two of those passes for 17-yards with his longest reception for 10 yards.
Verdict: Prather is most likely a roster casualty
Like many other late August signees, Prather had a difficult time getting a sufficient opportunity to showcase his talents. The Packers have a stacked receiving unit, led by Christian Watson and second-year player Matthew Golden. Hopefully, this will be enough to convince the Packers he's worth a spot on the team’s practice squad.
Tre McKitty (TE) Washington Commanders v. Baltimore Ravens
On Friday evening, the Washington Commanders lost to the Baltimore Ravens by a score of 41-3. McKitty did not record any snaps for Washington.
Verdict: McKitty will be a roster casualty
Quindell Johnson (S) Washington Commanders
McKitty's recently signed teammate, safety Quindell Johnson, played in his first game for Washington on Friday night, recording 4 tackles (1 solo), one pass defense, and an interception off Dallas Renegades QB, Austin Reed.
Verdict: Johnson is on the bubble
Despite his strong game and great playmaking ability, it's unlikely that after only one game, Johnson will be signed to the Commanders' 53-man roster. However, he may have played well enough to impress the coaching staff and get signed to the practice squad.
Chicago Bears v Tennessee Titans
Deantre Prince (DB) Chicago Bears
Signed by the Bears only this past week, Prince saw limited playing time with the Kings this past season. On Saturday night, he recorded two tackles (one solo) and a pass defense. Will it be enough to earn him a roster spot?
Verdict: Prince is likely a roster casualty
Corey Mayfield, Jr.: (CB) Tennessee Titans
All-UFL team DB Corey Mayfield, Jr. was signed on August 17th by the Tennessee Titans. Although he was credited with pressuring the quarterback, he didn't record any stats in his first game. However, Mayfield recorded three tackles with two solo on Saturday night. With such a short turnaround, will it be enough to justify a roster spot?
Verdict: Mayfield is on the bubble
With such a short time in Chicago, Mayfield has an uphill battle to make the 53-man roster. Nonetheless, he is a talented impact player and, at the very least, deserves a spot on the practice squad.
Antonio Grier LB-Chicago Bears
Appearing in his first preseason game in Chicago, after being signed by the team just days ago, Grier led the team with six tackles (four solo). With such a brief time to prove himself, Grier made the most of his opportunity. Will it be enough to justify a roster spot?
Verdict: Grier is on the bubble
With his impressive record in Louisville this season of 25 tackles, two pass breakups, and a pick-six, Grier is worth a second look by the Bears. The Bears are short-handed on the offensive line. Grier may be just the player they need for the 53-man roster.
Kellen Diesch (OL) Seattle Seahawks v Kansas City Chiefs
OL Kellen Diesch was waived by the Kansas City Chiefs earlier this week, only to be picked up the next day by the Seattle Seahawks.
Signed by the Chiefs on August 20th, Diesch barely had time to unpack before Saturday night's 16-15 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He didn’t record any snaps in the game. Unfortunately, given his late signing, it didn’t come as a surprise that he was waived by the Chiefs on August 26th. The very next day, he was picked up by Seattle to play against his former team in the preseason finale.
Verdict: Diesch is likely a roster casualty
Travis Bell: (DT) Cleveland Browns v New England Patriots
Signed by the Browns on August 3, 2026, Bell did not play in the Browns' 37-13 victory over the New England Patriots.
Verdict: Bell is likely a roster casualty
Check back here to find out which Kings' players made it through the final roster cutdowns.