As the UFL’s regular season winds down, the Michigan Panthers, Birmingham Stallions, St. Louis Battlehawks, and the D.C. Defenders are eagerly anticipating the playoffs. For the remaining teams, the season comes to a disappointing premature end this weekend.
Despite their teams’ struggles, several players stood out among the best at their position as the league’s most talented athletes. One of those individuals, a former Pittsburgh Steeler, is making a very strong case to be given a second opportunity in the NFL.
Scoring his fourth touchdown of the season on Saturday, Arlington Renegades wide receiver Tyler Vaughns helped his team defeat the Memphis Showboats 30-12 on the road. Posting eight catches on 11 targets for 107 yards, he capped off a stunning 41-yard TD reception with an impressive somersault in the end zone. Vaughns’s star-making performance earns him the title of the “UFL News Hub Player of the Week.”
Vaughns Recent Games
Coming on strong in his last three games, the 6’2” 184 lb. Vaughns recorded 20 receptions for 285 yards with four touchdowns. Two weeks ago, he had only three catches but two of those receptions went for scores, including an incredible one-handed acrobatic grab.
Vaughns is currently the fifth-highest-ranked receiver in the league with a total of 38 receptions for 451 yards and four touchdowns. Although he lacks the receiving yardage of the current leader, Panthers star Siaosi Mariner (527 yards on 31 catches with one touchdown), or the number of catches that Houston Roughnecks receiver Justin Hall recorded (58 catches for 479 yards with three touchdowns) Vaughns makes the most of what quarterback Luis Perez throws his way. He somehow manages to bring down even the most challenging balls, including an over-the-head tipped pass.
Three weeks ago, Vaughns caught 9 of 10 targets for 127 yards with one touchdown. His coach Bob Stoops was recently asked if Vaughns was NFL-ready and he responded affirmatively, “Oh, absolutely. Tyler Vaughns has been sensational — just makes tough, difficult catches.”
Vaughns History
The former USC Trojan was a college standout with 222 receptions for 2,801 yards with 20 touchdowns. Although he wasn’t selected in the 2021 draft, Vaughns signed with the Indianapolis Colts as a UDFA the following month. Waived before the start of the season in August, he was soon signed to the Steelers practice squad. Although he didn’t play a single snap, he was signed to a reserve/future contract the following January.
After he was waived by the Steelers eight months later, Vaughns turned his attention to spring football. Selected by Arlington during the 2023 XFL Supplemental Draft, Vaughns has been the team’s leading receiver for the past two seasons.
Honorable Mention –UFL News Hub Player of the Week
Leading his team to a critical 25-22 victory over the Michigan Panthers in what may prove to be a preview of the USFL Conference championship, Birmingham Stallions quarterback J’Mar Smith was exceptional. Earning an Honorable Mention this week from the UFL News Hub, Smith completed 22-of-31 passes for 307 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions. He added another 30 yards on seven carries.
Upcoming Games
Next weekend, the 4-5 Arlington Renegades will close out their season at the Alamodome in San Antonio when they take on the 1-8 Brahmas on Sunday, June 1st at 11:00 a.m. CDT. The game will be televised on ABC and tickets are still available.
The 6-3 Birmingham Stallions travel to Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium this week to take on the 2-7 Memphis Showboats. The game is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. CDT on Sunday, June 1st, and will be televised on FOX. Tickets are still available.
