This is the eighth and final part of an eight-part look at each UFL team’s 2026 season.
Part Three: Birmingham Stallions
Part Five: St. Louis Battlehawks
What went right
Arguably the most unlikely spring football champions of this era, Louisville shook off an 0-3 start, traded its starting QB, released its starting running back and several starting offensive linemen and somehow, it all clicked. The Kings won six of their last seven regular season games, eight of their last nine including the playoffs. James Robinson and Ian Wheeler unlocked a successful run game, and Chandler Rogers was the leader and game-manager the team needed at the QB position. The defense keyed in on takeaways and turned them into points. The Kings excelled on special teams with a top battery including kicker Tanner Brown. They also returned a kickoff for a touchdown. First-time head coach Chris Redman pushed all the right buttons to keep his team focused on the task at hand even with the slow start to the season.
What went wrong
The 0-3 start was a product of acquiring and starting the wrong mix of players (both on and off the field), calling into question Redman and his staff's player evaluation abilities. When everything was working on offense, the team was fun to watch; but in the four losses, and even in long stretches in the United Bowl, it got ugly. The success of the defense came in large part due to their ability to take the ball away, which is not something that always carries over year-to-year. During Louisville's six regular season wins, the defense only held opponents to under 20 points once. Coordinator Jamie Sharper's unit finished in the bottom half of the league in both rushing yards per game and passing yards per game allowed.
Stat to note
No part of the team exemplified the turnaround of Louisville's offense more than the running game. Through the first four weeks, Louisville running backs accounted for 105 yards - total. That was on 49 attempts, a 2.1 yards per carry average. Contrast that to the final four weeks of the regular season, all victories. Backs rushed for 575 yards on 118 totes, for a 4.9 average. The move from Benny Snell to James Robinson as the lead back played a big part, but so did the changes along the offensive line, tweaks the Kings continued making throughout the season.
Offensive MVP
The United Bowl MVP is also my team Offensive MVP; that would be RB Ian Wheeler. Though he was not a starter, Wheeler led Louisville in rushing yardage, yards per carry, and rushing touchdowns. Quite simply, the Kings needed the running game to be strong in order to activate the passing game. Chandler Rogers proved able at the QB position, but he wasn't a guy that was going to carry the team on his back with his arm. He was at his best when the rushing attack put a little fear into the defenses. Wheeler was a big part of that, both in the regular season and the post-season.
Defensive MVP
The UFL Defensive Player of the Year was rightly awarded to DE Cam Gill, someone who was on my MVP radar for most of the season. Gill's pass-rush prowess played into the Kings' ball-hawking abilities on defense. In his first year in spring football, Gill became the most dominant edge player in the league. He led the UFL in both sacks and tackles for loss, in the process setting a UFL single season record for sacks. Teams had to account for Gill on every snap, which helped make Jamie Sharper's defense that much more dangerous.
Special Teams MVP
In a relatively down year for specialists in the UFL, K Tanner Brown shined brightly above the rest. Brown connected on nearly 90% of his field goals, including one from 60 yards during the regular season, and another from 63 in the playoffs. The consistency he showed is what set him apart from the rest at his position and got him named to the All-UFL Team. Now, Brown has a real shot to win the kicking job in New Orleans at the NFL level.
Most likely to succeed (in getting NFL opportunities)
Brown tops the list: Even if he doesn't make it with the Saints, he was good enough to be on the workout circuit during the season; it would not surprise to see another team take a chance on him. A couple of receivers are already back in the NFL and another one or two could join them. Tight ends Zach Davidson and Tre' McKitty are prime candidates to be signed as well. There's a lot of young talent on defense like Jaheim Thomas, Nick Kubitz, Travis Bell and Quindell Johnson. Gill is 28 but he may have earned a legit look from an NFL team. Don't forget LS Jordan Silver, one of the best in the UFL this season.
QB concern level for 2027 (1-5)
Chandler Rogers came out of virtual obscurity - he was a UFL Showcase participant - to be handed the keys to a sinking ship, only to turn it around into a champion. Rogers has no NFL pedigree to speak of, meaning he may not be in danger of leaving. That's good news for Kings fans as some believed Rogers would come down to earth after his magical first few games; he never did. N'Kosi Perry was the backup and Mike DiLiello came aboard from D.C. in the Jason Bean trade. Both have skillsets similar to Rogers so the offense wouldn't change much if he went down. This may end up being the most stable QB room in the UFL this off-season, so it's a 1.5.
Head coach return scale (1-5)
Chris Redman seemed overmatched in his first three games, with little in the way of answers. His ability to identify the problems and not only find solutions, but ones that were effective, completely changed Louisville both on and off the field. This is Redman's first major coaching job and he seems appreciative that the UFL gave him this shot. Because of his lack of coaching background, it's unlikely any major colleges or pro teams will come calling for his services right away. That could change with a few more years of continued success, similar to what's happening with Anthony Becht. With "5" as most likely to return, Redman is a 5.
Offseason needs for 2027
The Kings turned into a really well-balanced team. RB Ian Wheeler is in Buffalo and he and James Robinson share a similar pounding style. They could use someone a little more shifty in the backfield. They have Jaden Shirden for that, but he was a distant third on the depth chart. The Kings have already lost two receivers to the NFL; there's always the chance they could end up back in the UFL, but they need to make contingency plans at the position if they don't. The Kings had strong depth on defense, so filling any holes from retirements/NFL signings will be more of a priority than completely revamping any position group. A new kicker may be needed as well.