
2025 UFL MVP Power Rankings: Bryce Perkins, Jordan Ta'amu remain on top
Bryce Perkins or Jordan Ta'amu?
The two UFL QBs have established themselves as the clear front-runners for the league's MVP honors following six weeks of action.
Perkins, the former Virginia standout who is in his second year in the UFL, has been lights out for the Michigan Panthers this season, leading the team to a 4-2 mark and tied atop of the USFL Conference standings.
Ta'amu, who played his college ball at Ole Miss, is on his second stint with the DC Defenders and is putting together an impressive season himself. Ta'amu has the Defenders sitting at 4-2 overall, tied with the Battlehawks for first place in the XFL standings.
Where do Perkins and Ta'amu land in my latest MVP rankings, and is there anyone else who can gain ground in the race?
Here's a look at my sixth UFL MVP power rankings of the season.
5. St. Louis Battlehawks RB Jacob Saylors
Week 6 stat line: 14 carries, 57 yardsWeek 6 result: 12-6 win over Arlington
Saylors has cooled down a bit after his hot start to the season, but the former East Tennessee State star still remains the most prolific back in the league. He leads the UFL in rushing with 312 rushing yards and is tied for the league lead in rushing touchdowns with four.
Saylors' 14-carry, 57-yard performance was his second-highest rushing yardage output this season, and he did it in a victory. The Battlehawks are tied with the Defenders atop the XFL Conference standings and will rely heavily on Saylors down the stretch.
4. Houston Roughnecks QB Jalan McClendon
Week 6 stat line: 20-of-28 for 149 passing yards, 1 TDWeek 6 result: 21-20 win over Memphis
McClendon continues to be a spark for the Roughnecks' offense, leading the team to another victory this past weekend. He completed 20 of 28 passes for 149 yards and a touchdown in Houston's narrow 21-20 victory over Memphis.
After not playing in the first three games of the Roughnecks' season, McClendon has been a revelation for this team and has brought this offense to life. Houston is averaging 21.3 points per game since McClendon took over as the team's starting QB.
3. Arlington Renegades QB Luis Perez
Week 6 stat line: 16-of-23 for 145 passing yards, 1 INTWeek 6 result: 12-6 loss to St. Louis
Perez didn't have his best outing this past weekend, completing just 16 passes for 145 yards in a 12-6 loss to the Battlehawks. He failed to find the end zone, marking just the second game this season Perez hasn't thrown a touchdown pass.
Through six weeks of action, Perez ranks second in the UFL in passing yards (1,145) and completion percentage (70.8), while his three passing TDs are tied for fifth in the league.
2. DC Defenders QB Jordan Ta'amu
Week 6 stat line: 19-of-36 passing for 259 yards, 2 TDsWeek 6 result: 38-14 loss to Michigan
Ta'amu let it fly once again in Week 6, throwing for 250-plus yards and two touchdowns. However, the Defenders' defense couldn't stop the Panthers, making it hard for Ta'amu to keep up.
The former Ole Miss standout leads the league in passing with 1,472 yards and 11 touchdowns through six weeks. But if Ta'amu wants to lock up the MVP award, his Defenders team needs to win down the stretch.
1. Michigan Panthers QB Bryce Perkins
Week 6 stat line: 13-of-18 for 188 passing yards, 2 TDs, 76 rushing yards, 1 TDWeek 5 result: 38-14 win over DC
Perkins continues to get it done with both his arm and his legs. The Panthers' dual-threat signal-caller was dominant in Michigan's 38-14 win over the Defenders, proving to be the best QB on the field.
Through six weeks of action, Perkins ranks third in the UFL in passing yards (1,111), second in passing touchdowns (eight), eighth in rushing yards (209) and is tied for first in rushing touchdowns (four).
RJ Young is a national college football writer and analyst for FOX Sports and the host of the podcast "The Number One College Football Show." Follow him at @RJ_Young and subscribe to "The RJ Young Show" on YouTube.
Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily!

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


USA Today
an hour ago
- USA Today
Lamar Jackson contract: Ravens, QB in 'introductory stage' of extension talks
Lamar Jackson contract: Ravens, QB in 'introductory stage' of extension talks Show Caption Hide Caption Greg Olsen expresses excitement for upcoming Olympic flag football Former TE Greg Olsen is excited for some NFL players to showcase their skills in the upcoming 2028 Summer Olympics and the debut of flag football. Sports Seriously The Baltimore Ravens have already signed two of their key offensive players – running back Derrick Henry and wide receiver Rashod Bateman – to contract extensions during the 2025 NFL offseason. Could quarterback Lamar Jackson be next? Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta detailed in an appearance on the "BMore Baseball Podcast" the team has been discussing a new deal with the two-time MVP. "We've had some conversations before the draft, after the draft, in person last week," DeCosta said. "I think we're in the introductory sort of stage of looking at what an extension might look like." Jackson signed his first lucrative extension with the Ravens during the 2023 NFL offseason. The five-year, $260 million deal concluded a two-year negotiation process that DeCosta described as "arduous at best" and "challenging at times." At the time of Jackson's deal, he was the highest-paid quarterback in terms of average annual value (AAV). In the years since, his AAV has dropped to 10th league-wide, per while his total value ranks seventh overall. RASHOD BATEMAN CONTRACT: Ravens extend WR after career-best season So, while Jackson has three years remaining on his initial extension, he may desire a longer-term raise. Meanwhile, Baltimore may be happy to lock him up longer-term to ensure it can continue to be one of the AFC's top contenders. "We've got a lot of business that we're conducting with different players. We're in a situation where we're blessed to have most of the team coming back," DeCosta said. "But as we look out over the next two, three, four, five years, we're trying to keep as many good players as we can." Jackson would undoubtedly qualify after his stellar 2024 season. The 2024 MVP runner-up completed 66.7% of his passes for 4,172 yards, 41 touchdowns and just four interceptions while adding 915 yards and four touchdowns on the ground.


USA Today
an hour ago
- USA Today
Where Wisconsin football's class of 2026 ranks nationally after Jack Janda's commitment
Where Wisconsin football's class of 2026 ranks nationally after Jack Janda's commitment Wisconsin football's class of 2026 rose significantly in the national rankings following tight end Jack Janda's commitment on Wednesday. Janda, who committed to the Badgers following his official visit this past weekend, became the 11th athlete to offer his pledge to Luke Fickell's class of 2026. The pass-catcher's addition elevated Wisconsin's national ranking from No. 34 to No. 27. Notably, Janda is Wisconsin's fifth commitment in his class since Sunday. He joins tight end Jack Sievers, defensive lineman Arthur Scott, linebacker Ben Wenzel and defensive lineman Djidjou Bah as players to commit after the May 30 visit weekend, a strong indication of what could transpire during other visit windows this summer. Prior to the recent string of commitments, Wisconsin's class of 2026 took a hit when defensive lineman Carmelow Reed flipped his commitment to Ole Miss. With Janda, Sievers, Scott, Wenzel and Bah joining the fray, coupled with wide receiver Tayshon Bardo reaffirming his commitment to Fickell's program, UW has officially turned the corner in the 2026 cycle. Wisconsin's next batch of targets includes linebacker McHale Blade, wide receiver Jayden Petit, running back Amari Latimer, offensive tackle Kamari Blair and athlete Jackson Ford, all of whom visited Madison this past weekend alongside Janda. As of June 4, Wisconsin does not boast a blue-chip recruit in its class of 2026. In terms of Janda as an individual prospect, 247Sports lists the three-star prospect as the No. 818 player in the class of 2026, the No. 43 tight end and the No. 12 recruit from his home state of Michigan. He is Wisconsin's fifth-highest-ranked commit in the class. For more on the Badgers' pursuits in the 2026 cycle, bookmark our class of 2026 tracker. Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion


USA Today
an hour ago
- USA Today
NBA Finals: Indiana Pacers at Oklahoma City Thunder odds, picks and predictions
NBA Finals: Indiana Pacers at Oklahoma City Thunder odds, picks and predictions The Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder meet in Game 1 of the best-of-7 NBA Finals Thursday. Tip-off from Paycom Center is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. ET (ABC). Let's analyze BetMGM Sportsbook's NBA odds around the Pacers vs. Thunder odds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions for the best bets. Regular-season series: Thunder swept 2-0 Indiana finished off the New York Knicks 4-2 in the Eastern Conference Finals with a 125-108 win Saturday, covering as a 4-point home favorite. F Pascal Siakam, the Eastern Conference Finals MVP, scored a game-high 31 points, while G Tyrese Haliburton added 21 points, 6 rebounds and 13 assists. Oklahoma City finished a gentleman's sweep of the Minnesota Timberwolves with a 124-94 thrashing Wednesday, covering as a 9-point home favorite. G Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led all scorers with 34 points and added 7 rebounds and 8 assists, earning Western Conference Finals MVP honors. Pacers at Thunder odds Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 10:10 a.m. ET. Moneyline (ML) : Pacers +350 (bet $100 to win $350) | Thunder -450 (bet $450 to win $100) : Pacers +350 (bet $100 to win $350) | Thunder -450 (bet $450 to win $100) Against the spread (ATS) : Pacers +9.5 (-110) | Thunder -9.5 (-110) : Pacers +9.5 (-110) | Thunder -9.5 (-110) Over/Under (O/U): 230.5 (O: -105 | U: -115) Pacers at Thunder key injuries Pacers None Thunder None For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report. Play our free daily Pick'em Challenge and win! Play now! Pacers at Thunder picks and predictions Prediction Thunder 124, Pacers 111 PASS. There's little value on the Thunder (-450), who have dominated at home all season. They're 8-1 at Paycom Center in the playoffs, outscoring opponents by a combined 221 points. BET THUNDER -9.5 (-110). The Thunder enter the series as clear favorites, thanks largely to their dominance at home. They've covered the spread in 4 straight games at Paycom Center, winning each by at least 15 points. Indiana enters Game 1 with 3 fewer days of rest than Oklahoma City. While the Pacers should be expected to put up a fight, Game 1 will prove to be all Thunder. LEAN OVER 230.5 (-110). This series promises to be an offensive showcase, featuring 2 of the NBA's top-scoring teams. The Pacers have scored 114 or more points in 7 of their last 10 games, including 125 or more in 2 of their last 3. The Thunder have allowed 126 or more points in 2 of their last 3 games. For more sports betting picks and tips, check out and BetFTW. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter/X and like us on Facebook. Access more NBA coverage: HoopsHype | Celtics Wire | Nets Wire | Rockets Wire | Sixers Wire | Thunder Wire | Warriors Wire | LeBron Wire | Rookie Wire | List Wire