UFL Stars That NFL Fans Should Know Ahead of 2026 Training Camps

We're entering the quiet period of the NFL offseason that exists between minicamps and training camps. Of course, while on-field developments will be pretty much nonexistent, the offseason roster building will continue.

The trade market is open, as the June 1 deals involving Myles Garrett and A.J. Brown showed. Several proven veterans also remain unsigned, though Cameron Jordan's return to the New Orleans Saints diminished the defensive player pool.

A few teams could even be landing spots for QB Brendan Sorsby in next month's supplemental draft.

With the conventional player pools drawing so much offseason attention, it's easy to forget teams recently unlocked another avenue for adding talent.

With the 2026 United Football League season ending on June 13, UFL standouts are now free to sign with NFL teams as free agents. Some of them may even become noteworthy NFL contributors in the mold of former spring-ball stars KaVontae Turpin and Brandon Aubrey.

Here's a look at the recent UFL stars that NFL fans should get to know before training camp, based on recent production, player upside, positional value, and any recent player-related buzz.

Olakunle Fatukasi, LB, Birmingham Stallions

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A few fans may already be familiar with linebacker Olakunle Fatukasi, who bounced around the NFL after signing with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent in 2022.

The Rutgers product saw time on the active rosters of Tampa Bay and the Los Angeles Rams, appearing in 14 combined games. While Fatukasi's NFL contributions were largely made on special teams, he flashed as a defender this past season with the UFL's Birmingham Stallions.

Fatukasi appeared in seven games with the Birmingham Stallions and finished with 19 solo tackles, three tackles for loss, two sacks, and a forced fumble.

Having just turned 27 earlier this month, Fatukasi still has upside as an NFL special-teams contributor, backup linebacker, and developmental edge-rusher. Fatukasi worked out for the Dallas Cowboys on Monday, according to Todd Brock of Cowboys Wire.

Jack Plummer, QB, Orlando Storm

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Quarterback-needy teams are always in the hunt for talent, so there's a good chance Orlando Storm signal-caller Jack Plummer will draw NFL interest in the coming weeks.

Plummer went undrafted out of Louisville in 2024 but spent the majority of that year on the Carolina Panthers practice squad. The Pittsburgh Steelers worked out Plummer in December, but his next big opportunity came in January with Orlando.

The 26-year-old made the most of his UFL opportunity, completing 65 percent of his passes for 2,188 yards and 17 touchdowns en route to an 8-2 record, a playoff berth, and league MVP honors.

"His leadership, his ability to process information and to make plays at any moment made him the most valuable player in the UFL," Storm head coach Anthony Becht said, per TheUFL.com.

Now that Plummer has earned some valuable pro starting experience, he should get another opportunity to develop on an NFL roster or practice squad.

Tony Fields II, LB, Columbus Aviators

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The Columbus Aviators didn't fare particularly well in their inaugural UFL season, finishing just 3-7 on the year. However, linebacker Tony Fields II did have a good first UFL campaign, which has landed him another opportunity in the NFL.

Fields finished this past season with 77 total tackles—second in the UFL—five tackles for loss, and a sack. Earlier this week, the 27-year-old signed a contract with the Chicago Bears.

Chicago won't be Fields' first NFL home. The Cleveland Browns made the West Virginia product a sixth-round pick in 2021. He appeared in 45 games with 10 starts over four seasons with Cleveland. During the Browns' 2022 playoff run, he played 25 percent of the regular-season defensive snaps and started the postseason game against the Houston Texans.

With the Bears looking to overhaul a defense that ranked 29th overall in 2025, Fields should get a fair chance to stick in the linebacker room.

Chicago also signed Houston Gamblers receiver Kaden Davis.

Cam Gill, Edge, Louisville Kings

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While Fields was the UFL runner-up in tackles, Stallions linebacker Tae Crowder was the league-leader and set a league record with 84.

The 29-year-old may draw some interest ahead of camp, but probably not as much as Louisville Kings edge-rusher Cam Gill.

Gill recorded a UFL-record 10 sacks in 10 games and was named Defensive Player of the Year for his efforts. He also recorded 12 tackles for loss, added a sack and two tackles for loss in the postseason, and helped Louisville win its first UFL championship.

Teams in need of a rotational pass-rusher should have interest in Gill, who has already shown that he can at least contribute in the NFL. A 2020 undrafted free agent out of Wagner, Gill spent his rookie season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

As a rookie, the Georgia product appeared in 12 games and in all four of Tampa's postseason contests—he even recorded a half-sack in Super Bowl LV.

A Lisfranc injury erased his 2022 season, but Gill appeared in 28 regular-season games and four playoff games for the Bucs between 2021 and 2023. He appeared in 10 games with the Panthers in 2024 and spent last summer with the Minnesota Vikings.

Major Burns, S, Houston Gamblers

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Houston Gamblers safety Major Burns had a fantastic first UFL season, finishing with 45 tackles, five tackles for loss, and a league-high four interceptions. He earned All-UFL honors and, more recently, an opportunity with the Miami Dolphins.

The Gamblers announced that Burns signed with the Dolphins when the UFL-to-NFL signing period opened on Monday.

Burns should have a great opportunity to stick with a Dolphins team that massively overhauled its roster during the early offseason. The LSU product signed with the Bears last offseason as an undrafted free agent but was waived from injured reserve (knee) before the start of the regular season.

In his last two seasons at LSU, Burns recorded 7.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, and an interception. He's now shown that he's healthy and can be a big-play threat in a pro defense.

The 24-year-old should have a real shot at competing with the likes of free-agent addition Lonnie Johnson Jr. and fifth-round rookie Michael Taaffe for a spot in the safety room.

Erik Ezukanma, WR, DC Defenders

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The Philadelphia Eagles are in the process of reloading their receiver room after trading Brown to the New England Patriots. After adding the likes of Marquise Brown, Dontayvion Wicks, and Makai Lemon, Philly has signed DC Defenders wideout Erik Ezukanma.

This past season, Ezukanma recorded 15 catches for 227 yards, nine rushes for 79 yards, and 18 kick returns for 459 yards. While he's unlikely to challenge receivers like Wicks and Lemon for significant offensive snaps, the 26-year-old could earn a roster spot because of his versatility and upside.

The 6'2", 210-pound Texas Tech product was a fourth-round draft pick of the Dolphins in 2022. While he only appeared in five regular-season games with Miami, he spent three years with the franchise before spending part of last season on the Jacksonville Jaguars' practice squad.

In Philly, Ezukanma could provide depth at receiver while adding value as a gadget player and return specialist.

The Eagles also signed Dallas Renegades cornerback and former Baltimore Ravens fifth-round pick Shaun Wade.

Tanner Brown, K, Louisville Kings

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Considering Brandon Aubrey has gone from being a spring-ball standout to a first-team All-Pro and the league's highest-paid kicker, it's worth noting when a specialist enters the NFL.

Kings kicker Tanner Brown may not reach the same heights as Aubrey in the NFL, but he should have a real chance to stick with the New Orleans Saints, who signed him earlier this week.

Brown, who went undrafted out of Oklahoma State in 2023, spent time with the Los Angeles Rams and Atlanta Falcons but never saw time in the regular season.

This past season, Brown made 89.3 percent of his field-goal attempts during the regular season. He was a perfect 4-for-4 in the postseason, including a long of 63 yards. He was named UFL Special Teams Player of the Year.

Brown should have the opportunity to compete with Charlie Smyth, who appeared in six games for the Saints last season.

The Saints also signed Gamblers receiver Jalen Cropper and quarterback Hunter Dekkers.

Hakeem Butler, WR, St. Louis Battlehawks

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Shortly before the NFL draft, the Denver Broncos traded for wideout Jaylen Waddle, hoping to pair Bo Nix with a truly reliable big-play receiver.

While Denver's signing of St. Louis Battlehawks receiver Hakeem Butler earlier this week won't and shouldn't generate as much buzz, it's still noteworthy.

Over the past three seasons with the Battlehawks, Butler has shown himself to be a reliable big-play threat.

The 30-year-old led the league in receiving and was named UFL Offensive Player of the Year in both 2024 and 2026. This past season, he caught 29 passes for 641 yards and three touchdowns.

Butler, a 6'5" pass-catcher out of Iowa State, joined the NFL as a fourth-round draft pick of the Arizona Cardinals in 2019. He suffered a broken hand as a rookie and never got on the field for the Cardinals, but he did appear in two games with the Eagles in 2020.

Having turned 30 in May, Butler's upside is now limited. However, he can potentially provide Denver with a big-bodied mismatch perimeter threat.

The Broncos also signed Battlehawks cornerback and returner Sean Fresch.

Lucky Jackson, WR, Louisville Kings

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The Detroit Lions aren't exactly hurting for offensive weapons, but they could use some receiver depth behind Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, and Isaac TeSlaa. That's why the signing of well-traveled receiver Lucky Jackson is noteworthy.

Jackson caught 32 passes for 392 yards and three touchdowns during Louisville's championship run this past season. He was on and off the Minnesota Vikings practice squad between 2023 and 2025, and in his first season he was an all-XFL selection with the DC Defenders.

An undrafted free agent out of Western Kentucky in 2020, he spent time with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and Edmonton Elks of the CFL before migrating to American spring ball and opportunities in the NFL.

Still only 28 years old, the 6'0", 186-pound Jackson may have some long-term value to the Lions as a depth piece. Detroit has also signed Kings receiver Tarik Black and Aviators receiver Tay Martin.