# UFL Standout Performances from NFL Preseason Week 1

- Author: Mark Perry
- Published: 2026-08-18T22:24:00Z
- Updated: 2026-08-18T22:30:00Z
- Categories: UFL (ufl)
- Canonical URL: https://uflnewshub.com/ufl/ufl-standout-performances-nfl-preseason-week-1

**ARLINGTON, TX (August 17, 2026) -** The UFL Defensive Player of the Year made his presence felt, the United Bowl MVP found the end zone, and a pair of UFL running backs picked up where they left off as former UFL players delivered a number of standout performances during the opening week of NFL preseason action.

Here are some of the top UFL-to-NFL performances from Preseason Week 1:

### LB [Cam Gill](https://uflnewshub.com/player/cam-gill-34234) - Carolina Panthers (Louisville Kings)

- The UFL's 2026 Defensive Player of the Year picked up right where he left off, recording two tackles, 1.0 sack, 1.0 tackle for loss and two quarterback hits against Buffalo.
- Gill previously recorded four tackles in the NFL’s Hall of Fame Game.

### RB [Ian Wheeler](https://uflnewshub.com/player/ian-wheeler-34317) - Buffalo Bills (Louisville Kings)

- Wheeler followed his United Bowl MVP performance with a strong debut with Buffalo, leading the Bills with 41 rushing yards on seven carries, averaging 5.9 yards per carry.
- He also added a 6-yard touchdown run.

**K [Tanner Brown](https://uflnewshub.com/player/tanner-brown-34243) - New Orleans Saints (Louisville Kings)**

- The UFL’s 2026 Special Teams Player of the Year, who is in a tightly contested battle for the kicking job in New Orleans, converted on both of his field-goal attempts this past weekend, including 29 and 49-yard attempts.

### RB Jacob Saylors - Detroit Lions (St. Louis Battlehawks)

- The UFL’s all-time leading rusher, Saylors rushed eight times for 55 yards, including a 27-yard run, and added three receptions for 28 yards, finishing with 83 total yards.
- His performance earned praise from Lions head coach Dan Campbell, who called Saylors Detroit's “most potent player on offense” in the preseason opener.

### WR Kaden Davis - Chicago Bears (Houston Gamblers)

- The former Houston Gamblers wideout caught four passes for 88 yards, leading Chicago in receiving. His day included a 41-yard reception.

### DB Jayden Price - New Orleans Saints (Dallas Renegades)

- Price jumped a route for an interception and returned it 11 yards for the Saints. He also added a pass breakup and a 24-yard kickoff return.

**DB Shaun Wade - Philadelphia Eagles (Dallas Renegades)**

- The former Dallas Renegades cornerback recorded four tackles, all solo, a pass breakup and a forced fumble in Philadelphia's preseason opener.

### WR Jalen Moreno-Cropper / QB Hunter Dekkers - New Orleans Saints (Houston Gamblers)

- Moreno-Cropper caught three passes for 49 yards, including two from Dekkers, as the former Houston Gamblers teammates reconnected at the NFL level.
- Overall, Dekkers completed 8 of 15 passes for 69 yards in the Saints' preseason opener,

**UFL TO NFL Endzones**

Five former UFL players made their way to the endzone during Week 1 of the NFL preseason scoring touchdowns for their respective teams.

- **WR Marcus Alexander - Chicago Bears (Philadelphia Stars)**:Hauled in a 25-yard pass for the Bears first touchdown of the preseason.
- **WR Tarik Black - Detroit Lions (Louisville Kings)**: Caught a 24-yard touchdown pass in Detroit's preseason opener.
- **WR Erik Ezukanma - Philadelphia Eagles (DC Defenders)**: Caught a 6-yard touchdown pass, accounting for Philadelphia's only score of the game.
- **QB Austin Reed - Baltimore Ravens (Dallas Renegades)**: With his twin baby girls in attendance, Reed scored on a 14-yard scramble for touchdown. He also completed both of his pass attempts for 14 yards.
- **RB Ian Wheeler -** **Buffalo Bills (Louisville Kings)**: Picked up where he left off reaching the endzone, as he scampered untouched 6 yards for a touchdown in the fourth quarter.

## OTHER UFL PLAYERS MAKING AN IMPACT

Several other members of the 2026 UFL class also made their presence felt during the NFL’s Preseason Week 1:

- **DE Keshawn Banks - Atlanta Falcons (Orlando Storm)**: Recorded two tackles and a quarterback hit in 24 defensive snaps.
- **DT Travis Bell - Cleveland Browns (Louisville Kings)**: Recorded three tackles.
- **DB Major Burns - Miami Dolphins (Houston Gamblers)**: Recorded five total tackles, second on Miami, including three solo tackles.
- **WR Cam Camper - New York Jets (Orlando Storm):** Led the Jets in receiving with two catches for 37 yards.
- **DB Alex Cook - Los Angeles Rams (Birmingham Stallions)**: Recorded four tackles.**DB Trey Dean III - Green Bay Packers (St. Louis Battlehawks)**: Recorded three tackles.
- **WR Tay Martin - Detroit Lions (Columbus Aviators)**: Made a 14-yard sideline reception.
- **DB D.J. Miller Jr. - Buffalo Bills (Columbus Aviators)**: Recorded two tackles.

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