# Select Player Capsules from the 2026 Atlanta UFL Showcase (part one)

- Author: Greg Parks
- Published: 2026-10-28T13:17:00Z
- Updated: 2026-10-28T13:17:39Z
- Categories: UFL (ufl)
- Canonical URL: https://uflnewshub.com/ufl/select-player-capsules-2026-atlanta-ufl-showcase-part-one

For the first time in the UFL era, and the first time since the lead-up to XFL 2020, a list of Showcase participants was [made available to the general public](https://x.com/Cleriga/status/2108075253775659052) for Atlanta's October 11 event. It was sent out as part of the league's press release touting some of the key players scheduled to attend. This is expected to be the norm going forward for the remainder of the Showcase season.

I've utilized full rosters from UFL sources to compile my profile articles for the past few Showcases, so not much will change in that regard: I've scoured and studied the list to find some of the most interesting and notable names, outside of those chronicled in the league's press release, to bring to you. In this, part one, I've selected offensive players to profile. Part two, the defense, will be published later this week.

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.

***QB Jayden George, Ave Maria**: Admittedly, part of the reason I chose to profile George is that he played college literally down the street from where I live. That doesn't mean, however, he doesn't have an interesting backstory. The son of 1990 number one NFL Draft pick, QB Jeff George, Jayden won a National Championship at Alabama in 2020. He didn't play his first two years with the Crimson Tide, so he went to Bowling Green next. He didn't play there, nor did he see the field the next two seasons with the University of Miami. Finally, in his last year of eligibility in 2025, George traveled to southwest Florida to play for Ave Maria in the NAIA. George found the playing time he lacked elsewhere, completing 76-of-165 passes (46%) for 785 yards, seven touchdowns and two interceptions. He worked out in front of NFL scouts at the USF pro day this past spring.

***QB Matthew McKay, Elon**: Following three years at N.C. State, McKay transferred to Montana State. He sat out a year, then went 9-2 as a starter for the Bobcats, taking the team to the playoffs (with a 17-to-3 TD-to-INT ratio). However, he was benched in favor of future NFL Draft pick Tommy Mellott, leading to another transfer, this time to Elon. He had similar success there, guiding the Phoenix to an 8-4 record in 2022, setting a career-high with 21 TD passes to just four interceptions. After ranking as Brugler's QB43, McKay tried out with the [Dallas](https://uflnewshub.com/ufl/houston-texans-sign-orlando-storm-running-deuce-vaughn) Cowboys, New England Patriots and Pittsburgh Steelers during the 2023 season, never inking a deal. He signed with the San Antonio Brahmas in October 2023 but was lost in the shuffle of the merger into the UFL. Since then, he has continued playing overseas in Europe.

***RB Jah Colbert, Reinhardt**: Setting the team's single-season and career rushing record in 2025, Colbert averaged an eye-popping 9.0 yards per carry in rushing for 1,262 yards. It was his second thousand-yard rushing season for Reinhardt. For his career, Colbert ran for over 3,000 yards, averaging 7.2 yards per carry, with 22 touchdowns. In the team's AAC Championship victory that sent them to the playoffs, Colbert found the endzone five times. At the West Georgia pro day in March, Colbert measured in at 5'6" and ran a 4.86 40, chilling his pro prospects. In Brugler's draft guide, he was the 213th running back listed.

***RB Vaughn Pemberton, Boston College**: It shouldn't be a surprise that Pemberton ended up at BC: His dad was a Boston College grad and serves on the Board of Trustees at the school. Pemberton began his journey at Ball State and in his entire career across both schools, only started two games. He still rushed for 548 yards (4.6 per carry average) with the Cardinals, while also catching 31 passes out of the backfield. A 2023 knee injury cut short that year, then Pemberton transferred to BC in December 2024. He worked with both the running backs and linebackers in spring practice and his 2025 was spent playing on special teams. Pemberton participated in the College Gridiron Showcase all-star practices as a fullback and he was ranked among the linebackers by Brugler, coming in at number 120.

***RB Jaylen White, Norfolk State**: Though listed as a running back, White's best attributes come as a kick returner. In college, he ran the ball just 96 times for a 2.9 average. He took back 70 kicks for over 1,600 yards, including a 97-yarder for a touchdown against Howard in 2024. That helped him earn All-MEAC First Team honors as a return specialist that season. He followed that up in 2025 with a Second Team selection, leading the conference in kick return yardage. White participated in Norfolk State's first pro day since 2015, ending up ranked as RB189 by Brugler. In his final season, White played under first-year head coach and [former NFL](https://uflnewshub.com/ufl/former-nfl-new-jersey-generals-quarterback-kyle-lauletta-signs-ifls-jacksonville-sharks) QB Michael Vick with the Spartans.

***TE Koby Gross, Ball State**: As a freshman, Gross took the JUCO route playing for Diablo Valley Community College, where he finished the season ranked as ESPN's #1 JUCO TE. That led him to Florida State, where he spent 2021 though he saw no game action. The next year brought his third school in three seasons, this time with Florida A&M. He finally found his groove in 2024, catching 24 passes for 257 yards en route to being named Second Team All-SWAC. At Ball State in 2025, he caught 10 passes for 141 yards and a TD. Gross participated in the Dream Bowl post-season all-star game, working out as a fullback. He just snuck into Brugler's tight end rankings as the 154th of 156 listed.

***TE Kaleb Heatherly, North Alabama**: Another Dream Bowl player from this draft cycle, Heatherly was listed as 6'6" on the team's website but measured in at a little over 6'4" at pro day. Regardless of his size, he was a productive contributor at North Alabama, especially in his final two seasons where he started all 24 games he played. An afterthought in the passing game until 2025, Heatherly set career-highs in catches (17), receiving yards (223) and touchdowns (two) in his final year. Brugler's 125th tight end ahead of the NFL Draft, Heatherly earned a rookie minicamp tryout invite with the Indianapolis Colts.

***TE/LS James Wade, Concordia St. Paul**: Though Wade worked out at tight end at the Atlanta Showcase, he might consider attending Nick Novak's specialist tryout as a long snapper as well. That was his primary position in college. He spent three years at West Georgia where he didn't see the field. He became Concordia's primary long snapper in 2024, playing the same role in 2025. He added additional TE/FB duties in '25, starting two games as a blocker. He never caught a pass in college.

***WR O'Mega Blake, Arkansas**: A double transfer from South Carolina and Charlotte, Blake acquitted himself very well in his one season at Arkansas. In 2025, he started all 12 games, pacing the team in receptions. In total that year, he had 58 catches for 769 yards and five TDs. As the team's go-to receiver, he had five-plus catches in each of the first five games. A full-time starter at Charlotte the year prior, he led the team in receiving yards with 795. Blake accepted an invite to play in the American Bowl post-season all-star game. Curiously, Blake did not appear on any team's rookie minicamp roster as either a free agent signing or tryout player, despite being Brugler's 78th receiver in the class.

***WR David Wallis, Randolph-Macon**: The New England Patriots have a history of unearthing small school gems, and Wallis fits that bill. A jack-of-all-trades in high school, Wallis worked at various points at running back, receiver and return specialist in college. An All-ODAC First Team selection in both of his final two seasons with the Yellow Jackets, Wallis's 2022 season saw him eclipse the 1,000-yard receiving mark, with 13 TDs on 41 receptions. For an encore in 2023, Wallis upped his catch total to 53 though his receiving yardage declined to 957. He still reached double-digit touchdown numbers with 12. For his career, he amassed 3,144 receiving yards and 34 TDs. Off of Brugler's radar, Wallis was initially invited to be a minicamp tryout player with the Pats, eventually signing a contract. He was waived at final cuts and worked out later that year with the Chicago Bears and New York Giants. He spent time in the CFL in 2025.

***WR Javin Whatley, Arizona**: A 2024 honorable mention in Bruce Feldman's annual "Freaks" list in *The Athletic,*Whatley's three years at UT-Chattanooga saw him catch 108 passes for 1,810 yards and 12 touchdowns. He transferred to Arizona for his final season in 2025, starting all 13 games for the Wildcats. Whatley caught 41 passes for 490 yards and five TDs, while also running the ball eight times, finding the end zone once on the ground. He earned All-Big 12 Honorable Mention status for that season. The 96th-ranked receiver by Brugler ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft, Whatley was a rookie minicamp tryout player with the Kansas City Chiefs in May.

***OT Cameron Dye, Southern Illinois**: Coming over from Georgia State in 2024, Dye was a two-year starter at Southern Illinois, seeing action at both right and left tackle, though primarily at right tackle. Dye was an All-MVFC Honorable Mention in his final year. At a verified 6'2", Dye's size will likely limit him to the interior in the pros despite his experience on the outside in college. Brugler ranked him with the guards ahead of the 2026 draft, coming in at number 73.

***OT Jordan Herman, Sacramento State**: Herman began his career at Hutchinson Community College in Kansas before moving on to the University of Florida. He spent two seasons there, seeing action in three games, before transferring to Charlotte for 2024. He worked at left tackle until his move to Sac State in his final year. Herman started four of five games before a knee injury felled him for the remainder of the schedule. A large human being at 6'6" and 339 pounds, Herman skipped all of the workouts outside of the bench press at pro day as he likely was still recovering from his in-season injury.

***G Gerquan Scott, Ole Miss**: In four seasons at Southern Miss, Scott started four games at right guard and 24 at left guard. For his redshirt senior season, Scott stayed in-state by traveling about 15 miles down the road to Oxford to play for Ole Miss. In 2025, he started four of the eight games he played, all at right guard. Scott frequently made Honor Roll and Honor Society lists at both schools. Ranking as Brugler's 59th guard in the class, Scott worked out at [Buffalo Bills](https://uflnewshub.com/ufl/battlehawks-offensive-lineman-sincere-haynesworth-signs-buffalo-bills-final-preseason-game) rookie minicamp this spring as a tryout player.

From UFL News Hub. Please link to https://uflnewshub.com/ufl/select-player-capsules-2026-atlanta-ufl-showcase-part-one when citing. More at https://uflnewshub.com/llms.txt