ARLINGTON, TX – October 12, 2026 – Dondrea Tillman and Jacob Saylors delivered strong performances in key victories for the Denver Broncos and Detroit Lions, respectively, while Sean Fresch made his NFL debut. Across the league, former UFL standouts continued to make their mark, with KaVontae Turpin leading the NFL in kick return yards and Andre Szmyt closing in on Cleveland Browns history.
In Denver’s six-point road victory over the Los Angeles Chargers, former Birmingham Stallion Dondrea Tillman made an immediate impact in his return from injury. The established NFL linebacker recorded four tackles, including three solo stops and a tackle for loss.
After missing the previous week, Tillman returned to the lineup and nearly recorded a safety. He earned a 79.7 overall grade from Pro Football Focus (PFF), helping the Broncos improve to 3-2 on the season.
Also in Denver, former St. Louis Battlehawks return specialist Sean Fresch made his NFL debut. Following an All-UFL campaign in the spring, Fresch showcased his ability on special teams, returning three kicks for 67 yards with a long of 26.
Fresch also contributed in kick coverage, recording two tackles and earning a 74.4 special teams grade from PFF. After battling throughout training camp for a roster spot, the former Battlehawk finally got his opportunity and made the most of it.
In the Detroit Lions’ dominant victory over the Arizona Cardinals, former Battlehawk Jacob Saylors continued to excel as a kick returner. Saylors returned four kicks for 109 yards, including a long of 30, providing another productive outing in the return game.
Meanwhile, in Dallas, KaVontae Turpin continues to set the pace across the NFL. Through five weeks, the former UFL standout leads the league with 549 kick return yards, 43 more than the next closest player. Turpin added 127 yards on Thursday Night Football as he pursues a third consecutive season leading the NFL in kick return yardage.
Another former UFL player making strides with the Cowboys is Ameer Speed. The former Houston Gambler earned a spot on Dallas’ 53-man roster out of training camp and has worked his way into the defensive rotation while contributing on special teams.
Speed recorded four tackles and has been particularly effective in coverage. Over his last three games, he allowed just one reception on two targets across 34 coverage snaps. Against his most recent opponent, Speed also earned a 74.9 PFF run-defense grade, showcasing his versatility.
One of the most compelling stories in the UFL-to-NFL pipeline continues to unfold in Cleveland, where former St. Louis Battlehawk Andre Szmyt is closing in on franchise history.
Szmyt converted both field-goal attempts in difficult conditions against the New York Jets, extending his streak to 22 consecutive made field goals. He is now six makes away from the Browns’ franchise record of 29 straight, set by Phil Dawson in 2012.
The former Battlehawk is a perfect 10-for-10 on field goals this season and has not missed since October 26, 2025. With every successful attempt, Szmyt moves closer to etching his name into the Browns’ record book.
On Sunday Night Football, former UFL defensive lineman LaCale London also delivered a strong performance for the Atlanta Falcons. London recorded five tackles and earned a 75.8 overall PFF grade, making his presence felt against one of the NFL’s top rushing attacks. He added a tackle for loss and posted a 76.6 run-defense grade.
From impactful defensive performances to special-teams production and a milestone debut, the UFL-to-NFL pipeline continues to deliver. As former UFL standouts establish themselves across the league, the next chapter of their professional journeys is already taking shape.