Each week, this list highlights the former UFL talents who stood out, making a big impact, and contributing to their team's victory. On occasion, worthy players who had a strong performance despite their team's loss will receive an honorable mention. However, this week, there were several superior performances despite their teams losing, and we chose to honor their efforts.
UFL To NFL: Week 3, Top 5 Standout Players
Honorable Mention: Harrison Mevis, Los Angeles Rams Kicker (Birmingham Stallions )
Ahead of the start of the NFL season, the L.A. Rams were the envy of the league with their power-packed superstar roster. Flash forward to present-day, and the Rams are sitting at an uncomfortable 1-2 record following a 30-26 come-from-behind victory Sunday night by the Denver Broncos. It’s an astonishing turn of events for a team that was the consensus early Super Bowl favorite. Nonetheless, one of the bright spots for L.A. has been the record of second-year kicker Harrison Mevis. On Sunday night, Mevis nailed all four of his field goals, including a 48-yarder as his longest as well as both extra points.
Number 4: Jake Bates, Detroit Lions Kicker (Michigan Panthers)
Bates, the third-year kicker and former Michigan Panthers star, drilled a 30-yard field goal and all four extra points on Sunday, contributing to his team’s 31-24 victory over the New York Jets.
As coach Dan Campbell proclaimed afterwards, “It was ‘a good win…a good win, and we’re 2-1.” Crediting both the defense and special teams for stepping up, he pointed out that, “It took all three phases to win that game.”
Number 3: Andre Szmyt, Cleveland Browns kicker (St. Louis Battlehawks)
A big factor in his team's upset 21-18 victory over the Carolina Panthers was former Battlehawks kicker Andre Szmyt. Contributing 2/2 field goals, including a 48-yarder and an extra point, Szmyt remains perfect on the season with 6/6 field goals and 4/4 extra points. Last week, he nailed a 50-yard field goal. In addition to being 100% in his accuracy, Szmyt is also the team's weekly lead point provider and as reliable a kicker in this league as you could hope to find.
Number 2: Jacob Saylors, Detroit Lions RB and return specialist (St. Louis Battlehawks)
Once again, All-UFL team running back Jacob Saylors split kickoff duties with Tom Kennedy. However, this week, the former All-UFL Team pro was the star of the special teams unit. Contributing 81 return yards with two huge kickoff returns, Saylors set up the Lions offense for success with returns of 44 yards and 37 yards. Despite only playing 15 snaps, he far outpaced Kennedy, his competition, who turned in a 23-yard return and an 11-yard punt return.
Saylors' 44-yard return set up the Lions nearly at midfield on their 47-yard line. 53 yards and 12 plays later, the Lions scored with a 4-yard touchdown pass from Jared Goff to Amon-Ra St. Brown. Opening the 4th quarter with a 37-yard kickoff return, Saylors once again set up the Lions for success. The Lions scored the go-ahead rushing touchdown with Jahmyr Gibbs’ third score of the day.
Afterwards, an exuberant Coach Campbell awarded Saylors with a game ball for his efforts. "That’s a way to [expletive] go. You talk about [expletive] field position, all right?”
Number 1: KaVontae Turpin, Dallas Cowboys Wide Receiver and Return Specialist (USFL New Jersey Generals)
When it comes to NFL return specialists, no one does it better than the Cowboys' 5th-year talent KaVontae Turpin. Currently, the NFL's highest-paid special teamer after signing an $18 million three-year contract extension in March of $2025, Turpin has become an all-purpose utility weapon for the Cowboys. This week, he scored his first touchdown of the season, a nine-yard rushing score. In addition, he contributed three punt returns for a total of 34 yards, one kickoff return for 31 yards, and one reception for 9 yards. Despite his efforts, the Cowboys posted a 34-31 loss to the Baltimore Ravens.
Check back here next week to find out which UFL to NFL stars were the standout players for their team.