UFL Playoffs: Top NFL Prospects to Watch This Weekend

UFL Playoffs: Top NFL Prospects to Watch This Weekend

The UFL playoffs are here, and with them comes an opportunity for top prospects to showcase their skills to NFL scouts. As the UFL’s vice president of player personnel, Jim Popp, puts it, “Everybody’s different… There’s some players that might not quite be ready, but talent-wise they have it. And they need to prove it.”

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One of the most successful teams in moving players to the NFL is the Birmingham Stallions, led by GM Zach Potter. Last year, the Stallions had 22 players sign with NFL teams, with 10 of those sticking on a 53-man roster or spending time on a practice squad in 2023.

Here are some of the top players to keep an eye on in the UFL playoffs this weekend:

Birmingham Stallions

• WR Kevin Austin Jr.: The 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.

• DT Carlos Davis: In the conversation for Defensive Player of the Year, Davis led the Stallions with seven sacks this season. At 6-foot-2 and 312 pounds, the 27-year-old Davis projects as a 3-tech defensive tackle who can provide interior pass rush at the next level.

• DE Johnathan Garvin: A seventh-round pick of the Packers in 2020, Garvin 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.

• QB Adrian Martinez: The front-runner for league MVP honors, Martinez 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.

• RB Ricky Person: At big back at 6-foot-1, 222 pounds, the 24-year-old Person led the UFL in rushing touchdowns with six and finished with 295 yards.

Adrian Martinez finds Kevin Austin Jr. for a 40-yard TD

Michigan Panthers

• K Jake Bates: Michigan’s kicking phenom made a jaw-dropping three field goals from 60-plus yards including a long of 64. Bates, 25, was part of an impressive year for kickers in the UFL, as they converted 83% of their field goals this season.

• TE Cole Hikutini: An athletic tight end who also showed an ability to move bodies in the run game, at 6-foot-4 and 240 pounds, the 29-year-old averaged 17 yards per reception during the regular season.

• RB Nate McCrary: Matt Colburn and Wes Hills carried the running game, but McCrary showed explosive playmaking ability in limited snaps and is just 25 years old.

• WR Marcus Simms: Michigan’s top receiver threat finished with 23 receptions for 426 yards and three scores during the regular season. Simms, 26, averaged 18.5 yards per reception.

St. Louis Battlehawks

• WR Hakeem Butler: At 6-foot-6 and 220 pounds, the 28-year-old Butler led the UFL with 652 receiving yards on 45 receptions and also finished with five touchdowns.

• OLB Chris Garrett: The speedy edge rusher spent time with the Los Angeles Rams in the NFL and still has upside at 25 years old.

• LB Mike Rose: He served as the inside linebacker making the calls defensively for the Battlehawks, finishing with 45 combined tackles and two interceptions. At 24-years-old, Rose also could contribute on special teams.

• RB Jacob Saylors: The versatile Saylors is good at catching the ball out of the backfield and led St. Louis in rushing with 460 yards and eight total touchdowns. Saylors, 24, spent time with the Atlanta Falcons and the Cincinnati Bengals in the NFL.

• WR/KR Darrius Shepherd: He finished second in the UFL this season with 1,334 all-purpose yards. Shepherd, 29, totaled 29 receptions for 240 yards on offense.

Hakeem Butler hauls in beautiful touchdown catch

San Antonio Brahmas

• QB Chase Garbers: The Cal product was in the MVP conversation at the start of the year before suffering a wrist injury that forced him to miss five games this season. Garbers, 24, plays with anticipation and has good movement skills. His status for the playoffs is uncertain after he re-aggravated his wrist injury last week.

• RB Anthony McFarland: One of the most explosive playmakers in the league, McFarland finished with 396 scrimmage yards and four total touchdowns this season. The 25-year-old has been dealing with a shoulder issue this season that’s limited his play time.

• RB John Lovett: The Penn State product led the Brahmas in rushing and finished No. 4 in the UFL with 423 rushing yards and five touchdowns. At 5-foot-11 and 215 pounds, the 24-year-old Lovett is a punishing runner who can also catch the ball out of the backfield.

• WR Jontre Kirklin: The LSU product led San Antonio with 614 receiving yards on 56 receptions and three scores. Kirklin, 25, also threw for a 36-yard touchdown.

• OLB Wyatt Ray: The Brahmas finished the season with a league-high 32 sacks. The 27-year-old Ray was one of the defensive catalysts, finishing with a team-high 5.5 sacks.

These players will be looking to make a statement in the UFL playoffs and catch the eye of NFL scouts. Who will be the next to make the jump to the NFL?