UFL standout performances from NFL preseason week 1

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ARLINGTON, TX - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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-yard 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 end zone 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 a 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.