Defensive end Kenny Willekes of the Michigan Panthers is recognized as the Defensive Player of the Weekin UFL News Hub Week 3 team of the week after his performance saw him generate 12 pressures (by my count) including a sack in week 3.
Naming a first and second team of the week following the third week of the UFL season. The purpose of this project is to shine a light on players who are standing out in their respective positions.
Offensive player of the week: WR Kwamie Lassiter II (Memphis Showboats): Lassiter caught 6 passes for 79 yards and a touchdown and forced 2 missed tackles in week 3.
Defensive player of the week: DE Kenny Willekes (Michigan Panthers): Willekes was a force in week 3 in the pass rush with 12 total pressures by my count including a sack. He had 5 total tackles including a shared run stop.
| Pos | Week 3 1st Team | Week 3 2nd Team |
| QB | Nolan Henderson (HOU) | Matt Corral (BIR) |
| RB | ZaQuandre White (HOU) | Jaden Shirden (MI) |
| WR | Kwamie Lassiter II (MEM) | Siaosi Mariner (MI) |
| WR | Cade Jonson (BIR) | Ty Scott (DC) |
| WR | Malik Turner (MI) | Jacob Harris (SA) |
| TE | Briley Moore (DC) | Jordan Thomas (BIR) |
| LT | James Tunstall (MEM) | Jarron Jones (BIR) |
| LG | Marcus Minor (ARL) | Jake Burton (MI) |
| C | Jake Johanning (ARL) | Jack Kramer (HOU) |
| RG | Johari Branch (DC) | Cohl Cabral (MI) |
| RT | Armani Taylor-Prileau (BIR) | Samuel Jackson (HOU) |
| DE | Kenny Willekes (MI) | Derick Roberson (DC) |
| DT | Israel Antwine (HOU) | T.J. Carter (MI) |
| DT | Garrett Marino (MI) | Devonsha Maxwell (DC) |
| DE | Andre Mintze (DC) | Bradlee Anae (BIR) |
| LB | Jordan Williams (SA) | Frank Ginda (MI) |
| LB | Marvin Moody (HOU) | DaMarquis Gates (BIR) |
| LB | Donal Payne (ARL) | J.T. Tyler (HOU) |
| CB | Chris Steele (SA) | Steven Gilmore (BIR) |
| S | Leon O’Neal (HOU) | A.J. Thomas (BIR) |
| S | Joe Powell (ARL) | Qwynnterrio Cole (STL) |
| CB | Keenan Isaac (HOU) | Keni-H Lovely (MI) |
| K | Rodrigo Blankenship (STL) | Lucas Havrisik (ARL) |
| P | Marquette King (ARL) | Sterling Hofrichter (STL) |
| Returner | Devin Ross (MI) | Gary Jennings (STL) |
Week 3 UFL 1st Team of the Week
Offense
QB: Nolan Henderson (Houston Roughnecks)
Henderson came in for the second half and completed 11 of his 12 passes for 80 yards to lead a comeback against Memphis and help end Houston’s 8-game losing streak. Henderson was impressive with his accuracy on multiple plays, making throws near the sideline when rolling right.
RB: ZaQuandre White (Houston Roughnecks)
White frequently proved difficult to bring down against Memphis as he rushed 15 times for 50 yards (3.3 average). He also caught 3 passes for 28 yards. By my count, 6 missed tackles forced on rushes and another on a reception.
WR: Kwamie Lassiter II (Memphis Showboats)
Lassiter caught 6 of his 9 targets for 79 yards and a touchdown and had 2 missed tackles forced by my count in Week 3.
WR: Cade Johnson (Birmingham Stallions)
Johnson caught 3 of his 6 targets for 63 yards and a touchdown in Week 3.
WR: Malik Turner (Michigan Panthers)
Turner caught 5 of his 6 targets for 54 yards in Week 3 and had a missed tackle forced.
TE: Briley Moore (D.C. Defenders)
Moore caught 3 of his 4 targets for 40 yards and a touchdown in Week 3.
LT: James Tunstall (Memphis Showboats)
James Tunstall was the only starting left tackle I did not attribute to allowing a pressure in Week 3.
LG: Marcus Minor (Arlington Renegades)
Minor allowed only a single pressure in Week 3.
C: Jake Johanning (Arlington Renegades)
Johanning was the only starting center in Week 3 who I did not attribute to allowing any form of pressure in Week 3.
RG: Johari Branch (D.C. Defenders)
Branch did not allow a single pressure in Week 3’s win over St. Louis.
RT: Armani Taylor-Prileau (Birmingham Stallions)
Taylor-Prileau allowed only 2 pressures by my count in Week 3, only 1 of which was the primary source of pressure on the play.
Defense
DE: Kenny Willekes (Michigan Panthers)
Willekes had a big game in Week 3, generating 5 total tackles, including half a sack and a shared run stop. Additionally, he generated pressure on 11 additional plays by my count.
DT: Israel Antwine (Houston Roughnecks)
Antwine recorded 4 total tackles, including 2 solo run stops and 2 shared run stops, and had 2 pressures in the pass rush.
DT: Garrett Marino (Michigan Panthers)
Marino recorded a sack and a shared run stop in Week 3. Additionally, he had the most pressures among defensive tackles by my count in Week 3 with 6 total pressures.
DE: Andre Mintze (D.C. Defenders)
Mintze recorded 2 tackles in Week 3, which were both sacks, and generated pressure on 6 additional plays.
LB: Jordan Williams (San Antonio Brahmas)
Williams recorded 9 total tackles, including 3 total run stops (1 solo, 2 shared). He had 3 targets come his way, one of which was caught for 21 yards, and another was intercepted and returned 85 yards for a touchdown.
LB: Marvin Moody (Houston Roughnecks)
Moody had 9 total tackles, including a solo run stop and 5 shared run stops. He had 4 targets come his way, resulting in 2 completions for a total of 27 yards.
LB: Donald Payne (Arlington Renegades)
Payne had 5 total tackles, including a solo run stop and 2 shared run stops. 3 targets came his way, and none were caught, 2 of which he broke up the pass.
CB: Chris Steele (San Antonio Brahmas)
Steele had 5 targets come his way, resulting in 26 total yards, and had 2 pass breakups. He had 6 total tackles, including a shared run stop and a solo stop against a passing play.
S: Leon O’Neal (Houston Roughnecks)
O’Neal had 2 targets come his way, 1 of which resulted in a 4-yard reception, and the other he intercepted and returned for a touchdown. He had 8 total tackles, including 2 total run stops (1 solo, 1 shared), and was in on 6 stops against passing plays.
S: Joe Powell (Arlington Renegades)
Powell had 8 targets come his way and only allowed 2 receptions for 15 yards. He had a pass breakup and an interception. Additionally, he had 5 total tackles, including a solo run stop.
CB: Keenan Isaac (Houston Roughnecks)
Isaac had 6 targets come his way, resulting in 3 receptions for 22 yards by my count, and he had a pass breakup and an interception. He had 3 total tackles and was in on 2 shared stops against the pass.
Special Teams
K: Rodrigo Blankenship (St. Louis Battlehawks)
Blankenship went 3 for 3 in field goals in Week 3, with the longest being from 56 yards down the middle.
P: Marquette King (Arlington Renegades)
King was the busiest punter in Week 3 as he punted 5 times for 218 yards, a 43.6 average. 3 of his punts were inside the 20, and he placed them in ways difficult to return, resulting in his net yard average of 41 per punt after the return being the 2nd longest in Week 3.
Returner: Devin Ross (Michigan Panthers)
Ross had a costly fumble in Week 2 but had a great game in Week 3, returning 6 kickoffs for 212 yards, 35.3 yards per return. He contributed on offense as well, catching 3 passes for 51 yards.
Moving forward, the objective is to have the weekly team of the week honorees announced sooner.
