Playing in the NFL on Sundays is the ultimate dream for anyone who picks up a helmet as a child or young adult. Sometimes the road to the league can be relatively straightforward, while other players have to grind their way to earn a spot on the roster.
Fringe players often took their game to Canada in hopes of one day making to the NFL, but the reignition of the UFL has allowed guys to play spring football and put some encouraging tape out there for evaluators to see.
We’ll take a closer look at three NFL players who got a real look in 2024 thanks to their UFL performances.
Jake Bates
There is perhaps no more prominent poster boy for the developmental capabilities of the UFL than the Detroit Lions kicker. Bates routinely banged 50 and 60-yard field goals during UFL competition, which got the attention of NFL teams. While it can be tough to gauge the quality of talent in the UFL as it relates to the NFL in regular play, kicking operations are largely the same. Teams knew Bates could cut it in the NFL.
Most sports betting markets were well aware of the potent offense Detroit had before the 2024 campaign, and Bates only added to their dangerous profile. He drilled eight kicks from 50 or more yards in his initial NFL season, and could have had more if Lions coach Dan Campbell passed up fourth-down attempts to potentially settle for three points.
Bates’ roadmap to the NFL was unique and inspiring, but it might be the standard moving forward for kickers and punters who want additional exposure. Without the UFL, undrafted college kickers would stay sharp on their own time and try to make their mark in a tryout setting.
Jalen Redmond
Redmond is another player who got a chance to play in the UFL and showed what he could do. He was a standout defensive player for the Arlington Renegades, who logged four and a half sacks and 18 tackles in just four games before he got hurt.
He was fully healed by training camp, and Redmond latched on with the Minnesota Vikings. The team was thrilled with their decision to bring him in, as head coach Kevin O’Connell even gave him a game ball after a December contest against the Arizona Cardinals. O’Connell called Redmond a perfect fit for the team’s defensive scheme.
Dondrea Tillman
Tillman is another defender who graduated from UFL football on his way to the NFL. He played for the Birmingham Stallions before making his NFL debut with the Denver Broncos in 2024.
It was a successful entrance for Tillman, who appeared in 12 games at outside linebacker. He recorded 23 total tackles and logged five sacks. His ability to put pressure on quarterbacks was evident, as Tillman also posted seven QB hits during the 2024 campaign. Tillman might have arrived in the NFL a little later than he planned, but he’s certainly making up for lost time.
