CANTON, OH – August 7, 2026 – The 2026 NFL preseason officially kicked off Thursday night at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in the 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame Game, and several UFL alumni wasted no time making an impression. Quinton Newsome forced the game's only turnover, while reigning UFL Defensive Player of the Year Cam Gill turned in a productive performance for the Carolina Panthers.
Newsome delivered one of the biggest defensive plays of the night for Arizona. With the game tied in the second half, he punched the ball free from a wrapped-up Anthony Tyus III, executing a textbook "Peanut Punch" to give the Cardinals possession. The forced fumble proved to be the game's only turnover and quickly put the former UFL defensive back in the national spotlight.
Across 26 defensive snaps, Newsome earned an elite 92.4 run-defense grade from PFF and finished with a 77.2 overall defensive grade.
Gill, meanwhile, backed up his claim that he was "game-ready" after a dominant UFL season with the Louisville Kings. The reigning UFL Defensive Player of the Year, who set the league's single-season sack record before helping Louisville capture the 2026 United Bowl, carried that momentum into his return with Carolina.
Gill finished second on the Panthers with five total tackles while adding another solo stop and contributing on special teams, continuing to showcase the versatility that has helped him carve out an NFL career. The former Super Bowl champion, who recorded a sack of Patrick Mahomes in Super Bowl LV, looked comfortable in his first NFL game back.
Playing 18 defensive snaps, Gill earned a 75.5 overall defensive grade from PFF, including a 72.5 pass-rushing grade.
Three additional UFL alumni also saw action for Carolina. Defensive tackle Kyon Barrs recorded one tackle across 19 defensive snaps, while wide receiver Elijah Cooks played 33 offensive snaps and was targeted three times, including once in the end zone on the Panthers' final drive. Roc Taylor logged four snaps after signing with Carolina just last week.
With the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game complete, the remainder of the NFL preseason kicks off next week with more than 60 UFL alumni currently on NFL rosters, some established, and others looking to earn a place on an NFL 53-man roster.