ST. LOUIS, MO – August 12, 2026 – Over 250 UFL hopefuls participated in the 2026 UFL St. Louis Showcase on Sunday. A wide range of players competed, from Power Four standouts to Division II record holders and former professional players.
The UFL Showcase is designed as an open tryout for players to register, compete, and showcase their talents to UFL scouts, coaches and executives. The UFL utilizes a centralized scouting system in which four scouts work with two teams each, helping evaluate and recruit talent for their respective organizations.
The St. Louis Showcase marked the second showcase of the offseason, with eight more remaining this fall in numerous markets across the nation. Click HERE for the full 2026 schedule.
Last season, players such as Chandler Rogers, Steven McBride and Gabe Taylor re-kindled their playing careers after taking a shot at a UFL Showcase. Each player had their own story, whether it was being doubted and counted out, overcoming an injury, or simply waiting for the right opportunity. Many compelling stories made their way to St. Louis on Sunday.
Wide receiver Gage Florence broke numerous records at Minnesota State Moorhead and was one of the standout performers in St. Louis. Florence broke the NCAA Division II career receptions record with 402 catches. He set the record last fall while putting together a decorated collegiate career that included AFCA Second Team All-American and Walter Camp All-American honors.
Florence met with an NFL team at his Pro Day, but nothing came of it. Still just 23 years old, the Division II product continued his pursuit of professional football in St. Louis, posting a 4.53-second 40-yard dash.
Another Division II standout at the St. Louis Showcase was quarterback Zach Zebrowski. After beginning his career with just 11 passing attempts at Southern Illinois, Zebrowski blossomed into a star at Central Missouri and became a two-time Harlon Hill Trophy winner. He also set the NCAA Division II record with 61 passing touchdowns in a single season.
Zebrowski, now 25, went undrafted in the 2025 NFL Draft and is hoping the UFL can provide his next opportunity to continue playing football.
Florence and Zebrowski both arrived in St. Louis with decorated collegiate resumes and a proven track record of success, looking to show UFL personnel they belong at the professional level.
On the defensive side, Javerius McGuinn continued to turn heads after earning a rookie minicamp invitation from the Minnesota Vikings earlier this offseason. The Missouri Western State product posted a 4.50-second 40-yard dash and added a 10-foot-4 broad jump.
While many resumes shined bright, others let their athleticism do the talking and raised eyebrows with impressive testing numbers. Three players broke 4.40 seconds in the 40-yard dash: WR Jayleen Record (4.34), WR Malcolm Gillie (4.34) and WR Janaylon Dupree (4.38).
Gillie represents another unique path to the Showcase, beginning his collegiate career in the JUCO ranks before transferring to Ball State and ultimately Coastal Carolina. The 24-year-old was named the 2024 MAC Special Teams Player of the Year and earned First Team All-MAC honors after ranking 11th nationally in kick return yards.
DB Russell Dandy Jr. and DB Sean Smith also posted impressive 4.44-second times. Dandy Jr. added a 10-foot-10 broad jump and a 6.94-second three-cone drill.
Other offensive standouts included Trey Birdsong, Kahanu Davis, Matthew McCallister, Rickie Johnson and Jackson Waring. Waring, a quarterback from Grand View University, entered the Showcase with a proven history of winning. He was named the NAIA National Player of the Year and helped lead Grand View to a national championship.
On defense, Jalen Owens, Tsai McDaniel, Steven Ward, and Mikael King were among the other players who stood out. King recorded a 33-inch vertical and a 10-foot broad jump.
The UFL Showcase provides players with a chance to prove what they are capable of and put themselves on the professional football radar. Regardless of each player's path, every player arrived in St. Louis on Sunday with the same goal: earn another opportunity to play football.
Eight showcases remain this offseason, giving even more players the chance to put their talents on display. The next UFL Showcase will take place in Houston on September 27.