With NFL training camps in their second full week of practice and the pads on, competition for the 53-man roster spots is intense as the players do their best to get valuable reps and impress the coaching staff.
UFL to NFL: Louisville Kings Training Camp Update
Seven Louisville Kings Championship teammates, including Special Teams Player of the Year Tanner Brown, the UFL Defensive Player of the Year, Cam Gill, and Ian Wheeler, the United Bowl MVP, are working hard to stand out at NFL training camps this month. Will it be enough to make the team’s 53-man roster?
Tanner Brown: New Orleans Saints Kicker
Signed to the New Orleans Saints shortly after his Championship run with the Kings, Brown is competing against Irish kicker Charlie Smyth for the starting role. As the best kicker in spring football history, it was assumed he would have an easy path to the NFL, joining the ranks of other successful spring kickers, Brandon Aubrey, Jake Bates, Andre Szmyt, and Harrison Mevis. But Smyth is turning this into quite a training camp battle. As of Wednesday, August 5th, he currently leads the competition, converting 15/16 field goals to Brown’s 17/19 kicks. Brown also missed one extra point.
Smyth, the NFL's International Player Pathway Program, was initially signed to the Saints' practice squad in 2024 and made his debut with the team late last season. Appearing in six games, he converted 12/16 field goals last season for 75%, connecting on four from 50-plus yards, with a 57-yarder as his longest.
Despite Brown’s proficiency in kicking 60-yard-plus field goals, that alone may not be enough to secure the starting role. With both kickers having the ability to nail kicks from long range, the key to winning this battle will more than likely rest on accuracy and consistency. Whichever kicker proves the most reliable in drilling field goals in the 30-49 yard range and converting extra points could ultimately decide this battle. Stay tuned, this training camp battle is far from over.
Cam Gill: Carolina Panthers OLB
The Carolina Panthers didn't waste any time in signing Cam Gill, the UFL Defensive Player of the Year, when promising second-year talent, Nic Scourton, suffered a devastating knee injury on the first day of training camp. Returning to the team where he spent two previous stunts before his record-setting UFL season, Gill joked that, unlike his Carolina teammates, he didn't need much time warming up. It's only been a few weeks since the UFL Championship game. After the workout on the practice fields behind Bank of America Stadium, Gill declared,
"It's a little bit different for me than the other guys." In a nod to his Louisville teammates, he declared,"Shout out to the Kings. We went all the way and won it. I don't think I'm going to be as sore as everybody else.”
Although Gill is returning to the team in field-ready condition, following his sensational UFL season, there's no guarantee of a roster spot. It’s expected that second-year player Princely Umanmielen and Patrick Jones II will be competing for the starting assignment opposite former Philadelphia Eagles free agent Jaelan Phillips, who was signed to a four-year, $120 million contract this season. Gill is likely looking at a depth position and facing competition from veterans Trevis Gipson and Thomas Incoom.
On Tuesday, August 4th, Gill, Incoom, and Gibson took first-team reps during drills. Four-year veteran Incoom was the standout, breaking through the pocket on a play he swore would be a sack in a real game. Nonetheless, Gill has a real shot at making the roster. The Panthers' defense is currently dealing with multiple injuries.
In addition to the loss of Scourton, the Panthers recently placed DE LaBryan Ray on reserve/retired, and DT Tershawn Wharton began training camp on the PUP list. A proven impact player like Gill can be a game-changer. He'll have a chance to show what he can do for Carolina in tonight's Hall of Fame Game against the Arizona Cardinals. Hopefully, the third time is the charm for Gill.
Ian Wheeler: Buffalo Bills RB
Standing out in an elite Buffalo Bills' offense is a challenge, but recently, former Louisville running back Ian Wheeler made a play during practice that impressed head coach Joe Brady. During 11-on-11 drills, he turned a short catch into a long gain, as he broke through the defense and accelerated up the left sideline. Brady described him as extremely bright in learning the Bills' playbook and picking up the offense so quickly.
"Man, he's extremely bright. There's nothing Ian's done that I'm like, this guy feels out of place where he's struggling to learn. It's been pretty impressive."
Wheeler knows that he faces tough competition as the lone newcomer in a room full of veteran Buffalo running backs. All-Pro running back James Cook III, the Bills’ 2022 second-round draft pick, leads the team's backfield. In addition, Wheeler is competing for a backup role against veteran running back Ty Johnson, return specialist Ray Davis, and second-year RB Frank Gore, Jr.
Brady understands the challenge Wheeler faces as someone who made the most of his UFL opportunity and is using it as a springboard into the NFL.
"It allows us the opportunity for guys that might not have opportunities in the NFL, but they go take advantage of the opportunities that they got in that league," Brady said. "He did a great job in it. If you're playing football, you're getting evaluated and, credit our (coaching staff) for seeing it, finding and him for him coming in ready to go.”
Wheeler had an excellent opportunity to make the Chicago Bears roster out of training camp in 2024 after a strong preseason. But in the preseason finale against the Kansas City Chiefs, Wheeler tore his ACL, ending his season before it even began. Now, showcasing his play-making abilities, Wheeler has a solid opportunity to make the Bills roster, even up against tough competition.