Cook, Wheeler Lead Former UFL Players in NFL Preseason Week 2

by Ethan Berch

ARLINGTON, TX – August 24, 2026 – Alex Cook and Ian Wheeler both forced their names into the spotlight during Week 2 of the NFL Preseason. Cook produced a game-altering play, while Wheeler once again led Buffalo in rushing. With just one preseason week remaining, opportunities are at a premium as players continue to make their case for a spot on NFL rosters.

No moment among UFL alumni was bigger than the play Alex Cook made for the Los Angeles Rams on Saturday. With the New Orleans Saints threatening in the red zone, Cook jumped in front of a pass intended for the end zone and intercepted Spencer Rattler. The former Birmingham Stallions took it 100 yards for a pick-six.

Cook recorded two defensive touchdowns in the spring and carried that tradition into the summer. Across the field, Jalen Moreno-Cropper made a tremendous back-shoulder grab and finished with two catches for 34 yards. The catch was impressive enough for actress Brenda Song to give him his flowers on the broadcast. 

The 2026 United Bowl MVP Ian Wheeler put together another strong performance for the Buffalo Bills. Wheeler led the Bills in rushing last week, and the story was the same this week. He finished with 56 yards on 14 carries and earned a strong 74.5 offensive grade from PFF. Through two preseason games, Wheeler has made a strong case for a spot on Buffalo's 53-man roster.

The former Los Angeles Wildcat Josh Johnson also posted a strong outing under center for the Cincinnati Bengals. Johnson threw for 156 yards on 15-of-23 passing. He protected the football, tossed two touchdown passes and finished with a strong 113.7 quarterback rating.

Johnson has put himself in position to compete for Cincinnati's third quarterback spot this fall.

For the Pittsburgh Steelers, linebacker Jacoby Windmon produced his strongest performance yet. Windmon was all over the field with five total tackles, tied for the team lead. He also added a tackle for loss and earned a 71.1 defensive grade from PFF.

On the offensive side of the ball, another former UFL star made an impact. The former Louisville Kings receiver Isaiah Winstead saw action late in the fourth quarter and made the most of his limited opportunity. Winstead made an impressive grab along the sideline and finished with 32 yards on two targets. On just 15 snaps, Winstead earned an 81.2 grade from PFF.

Arguably one of the top moments of the week among UFL alumni came in Carolina, where Roc Taylor made a play to remember. Late in the third quarter, Kenny Pickett gave Taylor a shot in tight single coverage, and Taylor made a dazzling grab over his defender for the touchdown.

Also for Carolina, UFL Defensive Player of the Year Cam Gill played 19 snaps for the Panthers and even flipped the field after jumping on a loose ball. Gill earned a 69.8 defensive grade from PFF and finds himself right in the mix for a 53-man roster spot.

And on the topic of the UFL's top pass rushers, former Houston Gamblers edge rusher Kenny Dyson announced his presence with the Minnesota Vikings. Dyson burned Baltimore's left tackle and tore down Joe Fognano for a sack.

Dyson recorded five sacks with the Gamblers in the spring and has now put himself on the radar with the Vikings. He finished the game with multiple quarterback hits.

The big defensive plays didn't stop there. Roman Parodie, Shaun Wade and Casey Rogers were all involved in turnovers.

Beginning with the former Houston Gambler Parodie, the defensive back pulled down a tipped pass and recorded his first interception of the summer.

For the second consecutive week, former Dallas Renegades defensive back Shaun Wade forced a fumble. Wade tracked down New England Patriots running back JaMycal Hasty along the sideline and punched the ball out.

Wade forced four turnovers in eight games with the Renegades in the spring and continues to prove he is a takeaway machine with the Philadelphia Eagles.

For the Patriots, Casey Rogers jumped on a loose ball to help clinch the game. The former DC Defenders defensive tackle recovered a fumble with under a minute to play, helping put the game away.

On the other side of the ball, Eagles receiver Eriz Ezukanma, who caught a touchdown last week, made three straight receptions. Also a former Defender, Ezukanma finished with three receptions for 30 yards and continues to produce in the limited game action he's received.

Just seven days after signing with the team, former Orlando Storm running back Tre Stewart also seized a late opportunity. Now with the Arizona Cardinals, Stewart broke loose for a 29-yard rush and finished with 40 yards on just two carries.

Another former Orlando Storm player, Keshawn Banks, turned in another solid performance for the Atlanta Falcons. After finishing with the team's top PFF defensive grade last week, Banks earned a 70.8 grade on 24 snaps.

With just one preseason slate remaining before NFL rosters are trimmed to 53 players, every rep carries more weight. Each practice and game snap, tackle, reception and field goal carries added significance for players battling to keep their NFL dreams alive.

As Week 3 approaches, more than 100 former UFL players are on NFL rosters, with 31 of 32 NFL teams carrying at least one player with UFL ties.

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