# UFL to NFL Pipeline, Week 8 Top 5 Standout Players

- Author: Sue Levine
- Published: 2026-11-03T01:31:00Z
- Updated: 2026-11-03T01:31:03Z
- Categories: UFL (ufl), DC Defenders (dc-defenders), Michigan Panthers (michigan-panthers), St. Louis Battlehawks (st-louis-battlehawks), Birmingham Stallions (birmingham-stallions)
- Canonical URL: https://uflnewshub.com/ufl/ufl-nfl-pipeline-week-8-top-5-standout-players

> UFL and former spring football stars continue to make an impact each week for their teams in the 2026 NFL season. Each week, this list highlights former UFL and spring football talents who made a big impact for their team.

UFL and former spring football stars continue to make an impact each week for their teams in the 2026 NFL season. Each week, this list highlights former UFL and spring football talents who made a big impact for their team. This list typically highlights the spring talents who contributed to their team’s victory for that particular week. However, in an upset-heavy NFL Week 8, several impressive performances were deserving of a Top 5 spot, despite their team's loss.

## **Top 5 Standout Players in Week 8:**

### **Number 5: Brandon Aubrey, [Dallas](https://uflnewshub.com/ufl/houston-texans-sign-orlando-storm-running-deuce-vaughn) Cowboys Kicker (**[**Birmingham Stallions**](https://uflnewshub.com/team/birmingham-stallions)**)**

It was a long afternoon for three-time Pro Bowl kicker [Brandon Aubrey](https://lastwordonsports.com/nfl/2025/12/04/detroit-lions-dallas-cowboys-game-may-come-down-to-a-field-goal/) and the Dallas Cowboys, who came out on the losing end of a 33-30 overtime game against the Arizona Cardinals. Despite the wealth of high-priced talent on the Dallas team, the season has been a disappointment for the 3-5 Cowboys.

Although Aubrey missed a game-ending 61-yard field goal, he converted two others on Sunday, including a 41-yard boot, and nailed 3/3 extra points. However, the news wasn’t all bad for Dallas; despite the loss, the 3-5 Cowboys remain in second place in the NFC East behind the division-leading 4-2-1 New York Giants.

### **Number 4: Andre Szmyt, Cleveland Browns Kicker (**[**St. Louis Battlehawks**](https://uflnewshub.com/ufl/st-louis-battlehawks/)**)**

Former St. Louis [Battlehawks](https://uflnewshub.com/ufl/ufl-nfl-week-7-top-5-standout-players) kicker [Andre Szmyt](https://uflnewshub.com/ufl/battlehawks-kicker-andre-szmyt-earns-spot-on-browns-53-man-roster/) provided the Cleveland Brown’s only points in the team's 27-6 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Brown’s quarterback Deshaun Watson (27/34 for 324 yards) outduelled Aaron Rodgers, who managed only 13/25 passes for 174 yards. Unfortunately, the Pittsburgh defense kept the Browns out of the end zone, and the team could only manage two field goal attempts. While Szmyt converted both, including a 49-yarder, the Browns’ defense couldn’t stop the Steelers' run game.

### **Number 3: LaCale London, Atlanta Falcons DT (**[**St. Louis Battlehawks**](https://uflnewshub.com/ufl/st-louis-battlehawks/)**)**

The Atlanta Falcons lost a tough defensive battle to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday by a score of 16-0. DT [LaCale London](https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/4376288/lacale-london) played 36 defense snaps and produced five tackles (1 solo) along with two stops. This was London’s second consecutive performance, where he proved himself to be a strong and reliable member of the Atlanta defense.

### **Number 2: Daniel Whelan, Green Bay Packers punter (**[**D.C. Defenders**](https://uflnewshub.com/team/dc-defenders/)**)**

Kicking off the Week 8 games, punter Daniel Whelan and the Green Bay Packers secured an important 27-19 victory over the Carolina Panthers, a rival NFC team. Whelan punted five times for 223 yards, with his longest a 51-yarder. He continues to give the Packers optimum field position, drilling 16 punts within the 20-yard line this season. The Packers improved their season record in the highly competitive NFC North division to 5-3.

### **Number 1: Jake Bates, Detroit Lions Kicker (**[**Michigan Panthers**](https://uflnewshub.com/search?q=Michigan%20Panthers)**)**

On Sunday, in a critical division game against the previously undefeated Minnesota Vikings, [Jake Bates](https://uflnewshub.com/ufl/former-michigan-panthers-kicker-jake-bates-re-signs-with-detroit-lions-for-2026) had a near-perfect outing, converting 2/3 field goals and one extra point to give Detroit a 19-15 win. However, Bates' first missed kick of the season was a 46-yarder that nicked the goal post. But he quickly redeemed himself afterwards, converting a 37-yard kick, a 25-yard field goal, and one extra point.

Bates continues his (almost) perfect season, converting 12/13 field goals and 23/23 extra points. On Sunday, he moved up the Lions' all-time kickers' point scoring chart, passing former Detroit kicker Wayne Walker to earn the record for the 5th-highest number of points scored in Lions [franchise history](https://uflnewshub.com/ifl/ifl-texas-draft-name-jonathan-bane-first-head-coach-in-franchise-history-20260901u8ziwr).

Yesterday’s game was a ferociously bruising battle that saw the Lions’ beloved 25-year captain, LB Jack Campbell, suffer a terrifying neck injury during a play. Carefully strapped to a backboard by the medical team, Campbell was transported by ambulance to a local hospital. Although details were limited at the family’s request, his head coach revealed the news was "positive" on Monday afternoon.

Sunday’s game was Detroit’s second back-to-back division game and third consecutive win. With a 5-2 record, the team is firmly in second place in the NFC North title fight. Next up on Sunday is a game against the 1-6 Miami Dolphins.

Check back here next week to find out which UFL to NFL stars were the standout players for their team.

From UFL News Hub. Please link to https://uflnewshub.com/ufl/ufl-nfl-pipeline-week-8-top-5-standout-players when citing. More at https://uflnewshub.com/llms.txt