1. QB Austin Reed, Renegades
Last week: 26-40, 376 yards, 3 TDs, 0 INTs
Luis who? The only player to throw for multiple touchdowns in week one, Reed set a UFL record for passing yards in a single game. Not bad for the first week of the season, when offenses are just getting their act together. Houston's defense did him a few favors in the way they failed to adjust, and now that teams have some game tape on Reed and Dallas's offense, it's unlikely to come as easy to Reed as it did on Saturday. Nevertheless, Reed was known as a talented passer even before he put up huge numbers last week, so just like the defenses, he and Dallas's offense will continue to adjust and progress as well.
2. WR Tyler Vaughns, Renegades
Last week: 7 receptions, 144 yards, 1 TD
Someone had to be on the receiving end of all of those Reed passing yards, and Vaughns was the top beneficiary. He made several big plays and averaged over 20 yards per reception. He tied for second in catches and is currently the league leader in receiving yardage. A consistent spring football threat for the Renegades over the last three years, if QB and WR can keep up this connection, Vaughns may be headed for a breakout year - and potentially an NFL contract.
3. QB Jack Plummer, Storm
Last week: 17-22, 240 yards, 1 TD, 0 INT
In Sunday night action, Plummer shined. He was able to hold off Dorian Thompson-Robinson in a spirited training camp battle for the starting nod and in week one, registered the highest completion percentage of any UFL QB and the second-most passing yards. He would've had a second touchdown had Chris Rowland not committed a block in the back on a long Elijah Badger catch-and-run. Plummer is a pocket passer so he's not going to do a lot of damage in the run game; he has a strong receiving corps and talented backs that should allow him to put up solid numbers as the season progresses.
4. DE Pita Taumoepenu, Battlehawks
Last week: 6 tackles, 2.5 sacks
Though the UFL's own box score credits Taumoepenu with 1.5 sacks, most other sources (including the broadcast of the game) had him with 2.5. Regardless, Taumoepenu wreaked havoc on D.C.'s backfield and had numerous other pressures outside of the times he actually got home to take down QB Jordan Ta'amu. He's picking up where he left off last year when he was the UFL Defensive Player of the Year and league leader in sacks. Offenses will continue to have to scheme to avoid giving him one-on-one looks as often as possible.
5. WR Jalen Cropper, Gamblers
Last week: 5 receptions, 59 yards; 3 KR, 144 yards, 1 TD
While Cropper led Houston in receptions against Dallas, that's not why he's on this list: Rather, it's his 93-yard kickoff return for a touchdown that places him here. Return TDs have been rare in spring football recently, so it's notable that we saw one in the first week of action. A lot of players will get to the next level based on their special teams value, so Cropper showing his return skills will be of value for him, especially if he is able to back up this performance throughout the rest of the season.