WASHINGTON, D.C. – August 11, 2026 – The first showcase of the 2026 UFL offseason is officially in the books in the nation’s capital. Following a season in which multiple showcase standouts went on to revive their professional careers in the UFL, the talent was on full display in D.C., with numerous compelling stories backed up by impressive performances and testing numbers.
The path to professional football is different for every player. Some make their way through the NFL Draft after starring at a Power Four program, while others slip through the cracks. Others take a different route, using Division II, Division III or junior college programs to continue their careers while pursuing an opportunity at the professional level.
The UFL Showcase is designed as an open tryout. Players can register, show up and prove their worth to UFL coaches, scouts and executives. A unique aspect of the UFL is its centralized scouting system. The league has four scouts who serve as evaluators for all teams across the league. Those scouts are present at each showcase, providing them with a front-row seat to evaluate talent from across the football landscape.
The UFL will host 10 showcases this offseason, beginning with Friday's event in D.C. Senior Vice President of Football Operations David Dykeman was thrilled with how the opening showcase played out.
“This weekend was an incredible start to our 2026 showcase season. There was a tremendous amount of talent across all position groups & some really impressive testing numbers.”
If there was one thing to take away from the opening showcase, it was that speed was on display.
Several players posted impressive 40-yard dash times. Jordan Taylor led the defensive group at 4.41 seconds, while Joey Isabella matched that mark on offense. Isaiah Wassworth (4.44), Dominic Dutton (4.44) and Chris Thompson (4.49) also cracked the 4.50 mark.
Scouts and executives identified numerous standout players based not only on their speed, but also on their skill and the level at which they performed. In fact, some players embody the true underdog story, hoping the UFL Showcase can help revive their professional football careers.
Perhaps no player arrived at the DC Showcase with a story quite like quarterback Jack Curtis. The Carleton College product played his senior season while undergoing biweekly chemotherapy after being diagnosed with Stage 2 Hodgkin’s lymphoma in the summer of 2025. Despite the circumstances, Curtis persevered, throwing for 2,918 yards and 28 touchdowns. He broke Carleton’s career passing and touchdown records and was named MIAC Offensive Player of the Year.
At the Showcase, Curtis turned his attention toward the next chapter of his football career, posting a 5.02-second 40-yard dash and putting his talent on display in front of UFL scouts.
Another impressive story came from quarterback Drew Nash. Nash used a successful junior college career at Saddleback College to pave the way for a historic career at Western Colorado. The Division II standout set a school record with 77 passing touchdowns and totaled 8,061 passing yards. He was a two-time AP D2 All-American and the 2025 D2CCA Offensive Player of the Year, while also finishing as a Harlon Hill finalist.
Nash entered the Showcase with one of the most decorated resumes in attendance, and his performance backed it up. He ran a 4.83-second 40-yard dash while impressing scouts throughout the Showcase.
Both Curtis and Nash are quarterbacks to keep an eye on following impressive performances at the 2026 UFL DC Showcase.
On the other side of the ball, Jordan Stringer was another key performer in D.C. The linebacker from Troy had an outstanding career as a Trojan, earning First Team All-Sun Belt honors and leading Troy in tackles multiple seasons. Stringer also served as a team captain and recorded 16 tackles in the IS4S Salute to Veterans Bowl.
Stringer continued to showcase his athleticism in D.C., posting a 4.64-second 40-yard dash. He was one of several linebackers who impressed athletically, joined by Daniel Knudsen (4.65) and Myles McHaney IV (4.66).
Other defensive standouts from Friday included Jordan Taylor (DB), Isaiah Wassworth (DB), Chris Thompson (DB) and Luquay Washington (DL). On offense, Joey Isabella (WR), Dominic Dutton (WR), Omari Walker (WR), Kyron Craggette (RB), Hahsaun Wilson (RB) and Ayir Asante (QB) also stood out, with many others making impressions on UFL scouts.
With the first showcase of the offseason officially in the books, the UFL's search for the next wave of talent continues. Eight more showcases remain as the UFL offseason moves into the fall. The next showcase will take place in Houston on September 27.
Click HERE for the full 2026 UFL Showcase schedule.