The UFL Playoffs: Where NFL Scouts Come to Find Talent
The UFL playoffs are just around the corner, and for NFL scouts, this is the perfect opportunity to spot the next big thing. The UFL has a proven track record of producing NFL-ready talent, with 111 players signing with NFL teams in 2023 alone. This season, the Birmingham Stallions are looking strong, with several players already catching the eye of NFL scouts.
The UFL playoffs are a hotbed of NFL talent
“Everybody’s different,” says Jim Popp, the UFL’s vice president of player personnel. “There’s some players that might not quite be ready, but talent-wise they have it. And they need to prove it. Or they might not have played at a Power 5 school, and someone may be questioning who they really are because they haven’t played against the so-called ‘best.’”
A lot of guys will go to training camp in the NFL, and they have to wait a whole other year to get an opportunity to get seen, and they may only get two or three quarters during training camp to showcase themselves. This (the UFL) is a much broader, bigger opportunity to play consistently.
The Birmingham Stallions: A Hotbed of NFL Talent
The Stallions have a reputation for producing NFL-ready players, with 22 guys signing with NFL teams last year alone. This season, several players are standing out, including wide receiver Kevin Austin Jr., defensive tackle Carlos Davis, and quarterback Adrian Martinez.
Kevin Austin Jr. in action for the Birmingham Stallions
Austin, a 24-year-old Notre Dame product, spent time with the Jacksonville Jaguars for two seasons. At 6-foot-2 and 200 pounds, Austin finished with 15 receptions for 253 yards and two scores this season, averaging an impressive 16.9 yards per reception.
Davis, a 27-year-old defensive tackle, led the Stallions with seven sacks this season. At 6-foot-2 and 312 pounds, Davis projects as a 3-tech defensive tackle who can provide interior pass rush at the next level.
Martinez, the front-runner for league MVP honors, led the UFL in rushing (528), tied for second in passing touchdowns (15) and third in passing yards (1,750). Martinez, 24, also completed 58.5% of his passes and had just three interceptions. His ability to make chunk plays with his arm and his feet should make Martinez a coveted prospect at the next level.
Other Players to Watch
Other players to keep an eye on in the UFL playoffs include defensive end Johnathan Garvin, running back Ricky Person, and tight end Chris Pierce.
Adrian Martinez, the UFL’s top quarterback
Garvin, a seventh-round pick of the Packers in 2020, spent three seasons in Green Bay. Garvin, 24, totaled 20 combined tackles and 3.5 sacks for one of the best defenses in the UFL this season.
Person, a 24-year-old running back, led the UFL in rushing touchdowns with six and finished with 295 yards.
Pierce, a tight end out of Vanderbilt, signed with the Carolina Panthers in August, making the team’s practice squad and signing a futures contract with them after the NFL regular season in January.
The UFL playoffs are shaping up to be an exciting few weeks of football, with several players vying for a spot in the NFL. Who will be the next big thing?
