UFL To NFL Weekly Activity Tracker

As several more athletes signed contracts this past week, the total number of UFL players signed to NFL teams is now a record-breaking total of 77 players. Which UFL stars are making the biggest plays and who stands the best chance of making their team’s NFL roster?

Unfortunately, as we’ve already seen, an NFL contract signing does not guarantee they will remain with the team. St. Louis Battlehawks wide receiver and UFL Offensive Player of the Year Hakeem Butler signed with the Cincinnati Bengals, only to watch his dream evaporate this week when he was cut ahead of the final roster cuts. Other notable players such as Memphis Showboats wide receiver Daewood Davis and running back Ricky Person, Jr. have already been cut from their NFL teams due to training camp injuries.

A signed NFL contract does not guarantee that even the most talented UFL players will see touches or snaps in the preseason games. Last Thursday night, the Jacksonville Jaguars trounced the Atlanta Falcons by a score of 31-0 in the final preseason game. Recently signed to the Jacksonville Jaguars, former Michigan Panthers’ Defensive Player of the Year Breeland Speaks made a big impression in his first game two weeks ago.

Speaks came up with a huge solo sack on Tampa Bay quarterback John Wolford in last week’s game and shared credit for another sack. But Speaks did not see any action this week. Of course, that could mean that the Jags have already seen enough from Speaks to justify putting him on the regular season roster and merely resting him for the season opener.

Players Who Saw Activity This Week

Which players did take the field this week? As reported by Anthony Miller in Sports Illustrated, as of Saturday evening, more than 38 UFL players saw action. Former San Antonio Brahmas running back Anthony McFarland had six rushes for 12 yards for the Miami Dolphins. His former Brahmas teammate Wyatt Ray had a couple of tackles for the Dolphins. On the other side of the field, another Brahmas teammate, Prince Emile had a strong showing for the Atlanta Falcons with three tackles, including one for a loss.

Former Arlington Renegades tight end Sal Cannella recorded two receptions for 16 yards for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Birmingham Stallions DE Jonathan Garvin had a big game for the San Francisco 49ers with 7 tackles, five of which were solo tackles.

Wide receiver Justin Hall (Houston Roughnecks) had a strong showing for the Minnesota Vikings with two receptions for 24 yards, including a touchdown catch. Another UFL player from the D.C. Defenders, Lucky Jackson, was instrumental in the Vikings’ win over the Philadelphia Eagles. Jackson had four receptions for 53 yards.

The Dallas Cowboys have been very active in the preseason, signing multiple UFL players in recent weeks as they seek to improve the team but remain hampered by their salary cap. Despite losing to the Chargers by a score of 26-19, several UFL players had a big night. Former Arlington Renegades wide receiver, Deontay Burnett contributed three receptions for 40 yards, former Michigan Panthers star linebacker Frank Ginda posted four tackles, and former St. Louis Battlehawks linebacker Willie Harvey added another tackle.

Speaking of the Michigan Panthers, Detroit Lions kicker, Jake Bates continues to struggle with inconsistency when placing the ball within the kickoff landing zone. However, Bates acquitted himself nicely yesterday with three extra points and a 41-yard field goal in the Lions’ 24-17 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Former UFL League MVP Adrian Martinez continues to demonstrate the same outstanding skills he showed when he led the Birmingham Stallions to the Championship title this year. Now a quarterback with the New York Jets, Martinez led the Jets to a win over their rival, the New York Giants by a score of 10-7.

Although it was a low-scoring game, Martinez had 99 yards passing and 23 yards rushing. One of Martinez’s passes was to a favorite target, Brandon Smith, a former wide receiver with the D.C. Defenders. Although Smith had only one reception on the night, it was a big one for 39 yards. Nehemiah Shelton, formerly the cornerback for the Memphis Showboats also suited up for the Jets this weekend, contributing three tackles and two broken pass plays.

Finally, one of the biggest plays this week came on Sunday during the New Orleans Saints / Tennessee Titans game. Saints’ receiver Samson Nacua, formerly of the Michigan Panthers, picked off a failed long field goal in the endzone from Titans kicker, Brayden Narveson and was off to the races. Had Nacua not been pushed out of bounds at the three-yard line, he would have had an amazing 109-yard touchdown return. Sadly, the clock ran out for halftime and Nacua’s outstanding return didn’t add any points. However, his heads-up play should land Nacua on the Saints’ roster.

Sue Levine

Sue Levine spent the past five years creating and producing a successful weekly health and wellness podcast starring a wonderful iconic woman as the program host. As part of Sue's responsibilities, she scripted every episode and discovered a genuine love of writing. When the podcast ended late last year, she shifted the focus of her writing to covering pro sports. A passionate fan of NFL and UFL football as well as fantasy, she is delighted to be able to share her articles with other football fans.

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