ARLINGTON, TX (August 13, 2026) – The United Football League will be represented by 28 former players who are on NFL rosters for Thursday’s six-game preseason schedule.
To date, 83 former UFL players and spring football alumni, including 49 players from the 2026 UFL season are under contract and in NFL training camps preparing for their shot to shine in the preseason.
By the Numbers
- 28 former UFL players are on NFL rosters for Thursday’s six-game preseason slate
- 7 players are with the Detroit Lions, the most of any team
- 6 are with the Pittsburgh Steelers
- 4 are with the Green Bay Packers
- 3 are with the Arizona Cardinals
- 2 each with the New England Patriots, and San Francisco 49ers
- 1 each with the Cincinnati Bengals, Indianapolis Colts, Los Angeles Chargers, and the Tennessee Titans
- 17 offensive and special teams players with 9 defensive players
- 9 wide receivers, 4 defensive backs, 3 defensive tackles, 2 quarterbacks, and 2 long snappers
- 49 players from 2026 UFL season on NFL rosters
- 83 active UFL alumni currently on NFL rosters in training camp
UFL Alumni in 2026 NFL Preseason Week 1
Detroit Lions @ Cincinnati Bengals
|
DET @ CIN |
Thursday, August 13, 2026, at 6:00 PM ET |
|||
|
# |
Name |
Position |
UFL Team |
NFL Team |
|
39 |
Jake Bates |
K |
Michigan Panthers |
DET |
|
12 |
Tarik Black |
WR |
Louisville Kings |
DET |
|
40 |
Ryan Cooper |
DB |
Birmingham Stallions |
DET |
|
11 |
Lucky Jackson |
WR |
Louisville Kings |
DET |
|
17 |
Tay Martin |
WR |
Columbus Aviators |
DET |
|
25 |
Jacob Saylors |
RB |
St. Louis Battlehawks |
DET |
|
38 |
Nick Whiteside II |
DB |
St. Louis Battlehawks |
DET |
|
11 |
Josh Johnson |
QB |
LA Wildcats |
CIN |
Detroit Lions
#39 K Jake Bates
Michigan Panthers | Arkansas
- Played in 10 games with the Michigan Panthers in 2024, converting 17-of-22 field goal attempts (77.3%), including a 64-yard game-winner in Week One, which remains the longest field goal in United Football League history
- Connected on 27-of-34 field goal attempts last season for Detroit Lions, with a long of 59 yards, and converted 54-of-56 point-after attempts
#12 WR Tarik Black
Louisville Kings | Texas
- Emerged as one of Louisville's top big-play threats in 2026, recording seven receptions of at least 20 yards
- Finished third on the Kings in both receptions (27) and receiving yards (388) adding three touchdowns in nine regular-season games
- Added four receptions for 71 yards during Louisville's postseason run to the United Bowl championship
- Undrafted in 2021, Black has spent time with the Indianapolis Colts, New York Jets, Baltimore Ravens, Pittsburgh Steelers and Miami Dolphins
#40 DB Ryan “Bump” Cooper
Birmingham Stallions | Oregon State
- Played in nine games for Birmingham in 2026, recording 25 tackles, 1.0 tackle for loss, four pass breakups and an interception
- Began his professional career in 2024 as an undrafted free agent with the Baltimore Ravens, spending most of his rookie season on the practice squad before being elevated for Baltimore's Week 8 game against Cleveland, making his NFL debut
- Later spent time with the Seattle Seahawks, Miami Dolphins, and New York Jets before joining the Stallions
- Played collegiately at Oregon State after beginning his career at the College of San Mateo. Earned All-Pac-12 honorable mention honors in 2022 and 2023 and finished his Oregon State career with 82 tackles, five interceptions and 18 pass breakups in 23 games
#11 WR Lucky Jackson
Louisville Kings | Western Kentucky
- Led the United Bowl Champion Kings with 32 receptions for 392 yards and two touchdowns during the 2026 regular season
- Also served as Louisville's primary punt returner, averaging 11.9 yards on nine returns.
- 2019 First Team All-Conference USA selection at Western Kentucky, also named the MVP of the 2019 First Responder Bowl after catching a school-record 17 passes
- Earned All-XFL honors with the DC Defenders in 2023 and later spent multiple seasons with the Minnesota Vikings
#17 WR Tay Martin
Columbus Aviators | Oklahoma State
- Led Columbus in 2026 with 42 receptions for 483 yards and two touchdowns, ranking third in the UFL in receptions and seventh in receiving yards
- He also recorded four tackles on special teams
- Previously spent time on the practice squads of the San Francisco 49ers, Tennessee Titans, and Washington Commanders
#25 RB Jacob Saylors
St. Louis Battlehawks | East Tennessee State
- Back-to-back All-UFL performer in 2024-25, Saylors is the St. Louis Battlehawks all-time leader in rushing with 996 yards and in touchdowns with 13
- Joined the Lions in 2025, ranking ninth in the NFL with 897 kick return yards
- His 27.2-yard average was third among players with at least 30 returns
- Originally signed with the Cincinnati Bengals as an undrafted free agent following the 2023 NFL Draft and has also spent time with the Atlanta Falcons and Cleveland Browns
#38 DB Nick Whiteside II
St. Louis Battlehawks | Saginaw Valley State
- Played in all 10 games for the St. Louis Battlehawks in 2025, starting the final four games and recording 24 tackles and one fumble recovery
- Active in 11 games for Detroit last season
- Recorded three pass breakups and two tackles in a Monday Night Football appearance against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week Seven
- Originally signed as an undrafted free agent with the Washington Commanders in 2023, spending time on the practice squad before making his NFL debut in Week 17
- First-team DII All-American in 2022 at Saginaw Valley State, Whiteside recorded 131 tackles with 12 interceptions in 43 career games.
Cincinnati Bengals
#11 QB Josh Johnson
Los Angeles Wildcats | San Diego
- Has played for 17 different professional football teams during his career, including 14 NFL teams and the Sacramento Mountain Lions (UFL, 2012), San Diego Fleet (AAF, 2019), and Los Angeles Wildcast (XFL, 2020)
- Started four of five games for the Los Angeles Wildcats in the 2020 XFL season, completing 81-of-135 passes for 1,092 yards with 11 touchdowns and two interceptions.
Green Bay Packers @ Pittsburgh Steelers
|
GB @ PIT |
Thursday, August 13, 2026, at 6:00 PM ET |
|||
|
# |
Name |
Position |
UFL Team |
NFL Team |
|
35 |
Trey Dean III |
S |
St. Louis Battlehawks |
GB |
|
48 |
Tra Fluellen |
S |
Dallas Renegades |
GB |
|
89 |
Kaden Prather |
WR |
Louisville Kings |
GB |
|
19 |
Daniel Whelan |
P |
DC Defenders |
GB |
|
65 |
Kyler Baugh |
DT |
St. Louis Battlehawks |
PIT |
|
46 |
Christian Kuntz |
LS |
Dallas Renegades |
PIT |
|
85 |
Cornell Powell |
WR |
DC Defenders |
PIT |
|
87 |
Brandon Smith |
WR |
DC Defenders |
PIT |
|
53 |
Jacoby Windmon |
DE |
Columbus Aviators |
PIT |
|
27 |
Isaiah Winstead |
WR |
Louisville Kings |
PIT |
Green Bay Packers
#35 S Trey Dean III
St. Louis Battlehawks | Florida
- Appeared in five regular-season games for the St. Louis Battlehawks in 2026, recording 15 tackles, 1.0 sack and one forced fumble, and added four tackles in the playoffs. He also played one game for the Louisville Kings earlier in the season, recording three tackles
- Originally entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the New York Jets in 2023 before joining the Kansas City Chiefs in 2024, where he was part of the club's Super Bowl LVIII championship team. He also spent time with the Cleveland Browns
- A five-year starter at Florida, finished his collegiate career with 259 tackles and was named Defensive MVP of the 2023 East-West Shrine Bowl
#48 S Tra Fluellen
Dallas Renegades | Middle Tennessee
- Played in all 10 games for the Dallas Renegades in 2026, recording 40 tackles, 1.0 tackle for loss, 1.0 sack, one interception and two passes defensed
- Originally entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the New Orleans Saints in 2024 and spent time on the club's practice squad
- Began his collegiate career at Houston Christian, earning HERO Sports Freshman All-America honors and finishing as a finalist for the Jerry Rice Award after recording 101 tackles, two interceptions, six pass breakups, three fumble recoveries and a forced fumble in 2019
- Transferred to Middle Tennessee, where he finished his college career with 323 tackles and was named a permanent team captain as a senior
#89 WR Kaden Prather
Louisville Kings | Maryland
- Prather played in nine games for Louisville in 2026, recording nine receptions for 148 yards.
- He was selected by the Buffalo Bills in the seventh round of the 2025 NFL Draft and was waived with an injury designation before appearing in a regular-season game.
- Prather also played collegiately at West Virginia and Maryland, finishing his college career with 162 receptions for 1,966 yards and 12 touchdowns.
#19 P Daniel Whelan
DC Defenders | UC Davis
- Whelan was an All-XFL selection with the DC Defenders in 2023 after averaging 45.6 yards on 29 punts, including 11 inside the 20-yard line.
- He joined the Green Bay Packers in 2023 and has been their primary punter since winning the job during training camp.
- Whelan ranked first among qualified NFL punters with a 90.4 PFF grade in 2025, averaging 43.9 net yards per punt.
Pittsburgh Steelers
#65 DT Kyler Baugh
St. Louis Battlehawks | Minnesota
- Baugh played four games for the St. Louis Battlehawks in 2025, recording 14 tackles, two tackles for loss, one sack and a fumble recovery.
- He originally signed with the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent following the 2024 NFL Draft and also spent time with the New York Giants and Atlanta Falcons.
- At University of Minnesota, Baugh played in 26 games and recorded 77 tackles and 4.0 sacks.
#46 LS Christian Kuntz
Dallas Renegades | Duquesne
- Kuntz played for the Dallas Renegades during the 2020 XFL season before signing with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
- He has remained with Pittsburgh throughout his NFL career, providing long-snapping duties while also contributing at linebacker.
- Kuntz earned All-American honors three times at Duquesne before entering the NFL.
#85 WR Cornell Powell
DC Defenders | Clemson
- Led DC Defenders in receiving in 2026 with 34 receptions for 491 yards and one touchdown, ranking sixth in the UFL in receiving yards.
- Powell was named the 2026 UFL Sportsman of the Year, recognizing his leadership, character and commitment to community service through The Powell Project.
- Powell was selected by the Kansas City Chiefs in the fifth round of the 2021 NFL Draft and earned two Super Bowl rings as a member of the organization.
- He also spent time with the Seattle Seahawks and previously joined the Steelers' practice squad in 2025.
#87 WR Brandon Smith
DC Defenders | Iowa
- Smith has extensive spring football experience, playing for the DC Defenders in both the 2023 XFL season and 2024 UFL season.
- In 2024, he recorded 18 receptions for 209 yards and two touchdowns for the Defenders.
- Smith entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the Dallas Cowboys in 2021 and has also spent time with the Arizona Cardinals, New England Patriots and New York Jets.
- He has appeared in three NFL games, all with the Jets.
#53 DE Jacoby Windmon
Columbus Aviators | Michigan State
- Windmon joined Columbus late in the 2026 season and appeared in the team's final three games.
- He recorded 3.5 sacks, eight tackles, 2.0 tackles for loss and a forced fumble in those three games.
- Windmon previously spent time with both the Pittsburgh Steelers and Carolina Panthers organizations during the 2024 NFL season.
#27 WR Isaiah Winstead
Louisville Kings | East Carolina
- Winstead led Louisville with 29 receptions for 474 yards and tied for the team lead with three receiving touchdowns in eight regular-season games during the Kings United Bowl championship season.
- He spent the previous two seasons with the Dallas Renegades, recording 43 receptions for 482 yards and two touchdowns across 17 games.
- Winstead initially joined Dallas in 2024 and later signed with the New York Jets during training camp.
Indianapolis Colts @ New England Patriots
|
IND @ NE |
Thursday, August 13, 2026, at 6:30 PM ET |
|||
|
# |
Name |
Position |
UFL Team |
NFL Team |
|
2 |
D.J. Montgomery |
WR |
Michigan Panthers |
IND |
|
98 |
Jeremiah Pharms Jr. |
DT |
Pittsburgh Maulers |
NE |
|
65 |
Casey Rogers |
DT |
DC Defenders |
NE |
Indianapolis Colts
#2 WR D.J. Montgomery
Michigan Panthers | Auburn
- Joined the Michigan Panthers of the USFL in 2023 after previously spending time with the Cleveland Browns, New York Jets, Indianapolis Colts, and Houston Texans organizations.
- Used stop in USFL to earn another NFL opportunity in 2023, appearing in seven games with the Colts recording six receptions for 92 yards and a touchdown
- Appeared in 10 NFL games over his career
- Spent 2025 on Injured Reserve and rejoined Colts for 2026
New England Patriots
#98 DT Jeremiah Pharms Jr.
Pittsburgh Maulers | Friends
- A standout for the Pittsburgh Maulers during the 2022 USFL season, recorded 32 tackles and two sacks in nine games
- Signed with the New England Patriots following his USFL season and has remained with the organization, appearing in 31 games while recording 45 tackles, two sacks and one fumble recovery
- Began his collegiate career at Sacramento City College before playing at San Joaquin Delta College and Friends University
#65 DT Casey Rogers
DC Defenders | Oregon
- Played in all 10 regular-season games for DC Defenders in 2026, recording 21 tackles, 2.0 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, and two pass breakups.
- Also played in both of DC's postseason games, adding one tackle and two additional pass breakups
Los Angeles Chargers @ Houston Texans
|
LAC @ HOU |
Thursday, August 13, 2026, at 8:00 PM ET |
|||
|
# |
Name |
Position |
UFL Team |
NFL Team |
|
59 |
Peter Bowden |
LS |
Michigan Panthers |
LAC |
Los Angeles Chargers
#59 LS Peter Bowden
Michigan Panthers | Wisconsin
- Joined the Michigan Panthers in 2025 after an injury to All-UFL long snapper Jordan Ober
- Appeared in six games and helped the Panthers advance to the UFL Championship Game.
- Originally signed with the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent in 2024 and also spent time with the Jacksonville Jaguars before joining the Chargers
Arizona Cardinals @ Las Vegas Raiders
|
ARZ @ LAV |
Thursday, August 13, 2026, at 10:00 PM ET |
|||
|
# |
Name |
Position |
UFL Team |
NFL Team |
|
48 |
Eugene Asante |
LB |
Houston Gamblers |
ARZ |
|
48 |
Shawn Bowman |
TE |
Orlando Storm |
ARZ |
|
30 |
Quenton Newsome |
DB |
Houston Gamblers |
ARZ |
Arizona Cardinals
#48 LB Eugene Asante
Houston Gamblers | Auburn
- Played in nine games for Houston Gamblers in 2026, recording 34 tackles, 4.0 tackles for loss, two pass breakups, and two forced fumbles
- Originally signed with the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent out of Auburn in 2025 and also spent time with the Cleveland Browns and Atlanta Falcons
#48 TE Shawn Bowman
Orlando Storm | Rutgers
- Played in all 10 regular-season games for Orlando Storm in 2026, made seven receptions for 53 yards
- He entered the NFL in 2024 as an undrafted free agent with the Jacksonville Jaguars
- Also spent time with the Maine Black Bears before transferring to Rutgers
#30 DB Quinton Newsome
Houston Gamblers | Nebraska
- Started all 10 regular-season games for Houston Gamblers in 2026, finishing third on the team with 43 tackles
- Added 2.0 tackles for loss, 0.5 sacks, four pass breakups, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery
- Spent time with the Denver Broncos after signing as an undrafted free agent in 2024
Tennessee Titans @ San Francisco 49ers
|
TEN @ SF |
Thursday, August 13, 2026, at 11:00 PM ET |
|||
|
# |
Name |
Position |
UFL Team |
NFL Team |
|
35 |
Mario Goodrich |
DB |
Birmingham Stallions |
TEN |
|
4 |
Adrian Martinez |
QB |
Birmingham Stallions |
SF |
|
81 |
Malik Turner |
WR |
Michigan Panthers |
SF |
Tennessee Titans
#35 DB Mario Goodrich
Birmingham Stallions | Clemson
- Started all 10 games for Birmingham Stallions in 2026, recording 13 tackles, five pass breakups, and an interception he returned 40 yards
- Also played six games for Birmingham in 2025, recording 16 tackles, five pass breakups and three forced fumbles.
San Francisco 49ers
#4 QB Adrian Martinez
Birmingham Stallions | Kansas State
- Named the 2024 UFL Most Valuable Player with a league leading 528 yards rushing to go with 1,750 passing yards, good for third
- Also accounted for 18 total touchdowns during the 2024 UFL regular season, including 15 passing touchdowns and three rushing touchdowns
- Led Stallions to UFL Championship earning game MVP honors
- Originally signed with the Detroit Lions as an undrafted free agent in 2023 before returning to the NFL with the New York Jets and later San Francisco following successful time in UFL
#81 WR Malik Turner
Michigan Panthers | Illinois
- Led Michigan in 2025 with 40 receptions and four touchdown catches while recording 365 receiving yards
- He also returned five punts for 35 yards
- Previously appeared in 44 NFL games over five seasons with three different teams, recording 29 receptions for 414 yards and four touchdowns.