2025 UFL MVP Power Rankings: Jacob Saylors headlines list after Week 1
Just look at the NFL, where a quarterback has been named the MVP in 12 straight seasons. How about the Heisman Memorial Trophy? Same story, as 12 of the past 15 recipients have been signal-callers. Even in spring football, where KaVontae Turpin was named MVP of the 2022 USFL season, then it was a pair of quarterbacks – Alex McGough (USFL) and Adrian Martinez (UFL) – who took home MVP honors after that.
Perhaps this is the year when we buck the trend, as the top standout performances in Week 1 of the 2025 UFL season belonged to the running backs. Jacob Saylors, Kalen Ballage and Jarveon Howard all had big rushing outputs in season-opening wins, but who sits atop the MVP ladder?
Here's a look at my first UFL MVP power rankings of the season:
[MORE: What is the UFL? Everything to know about the 2025 United Football League]
5. Arlington Renegades QB Luis Perez
Week 1 stat line: 20 of 25 passing for 164 yardsWeek 1 result: 33-9 win against San AntonioNo quarterback has more consistently shown himself capable of winning in spring professional football leagues in the United States than Perez, who was characteristically meticulous and mature behind center, even in Week 1.
Perez, who operates the offense like co-offensive coordinator Chuck Long, showed he was attuned to all aspects of the offense. Even while the running back room took center stage in the win, Perez quietly completed 20 of 25 passes for 164 yards.
The former Division II national champion is one of just two QBs in the UFL to lead his team to a league championship, and Arlington looks ready to mount a run at winning its first UFL title. (Alex McGough led the Birmingham Stallions to the 2023 USFL title, and Perez led the Renegades to the 2023 XFL title.)
4. DC Defenders QB Jordan Ta'amu
Week 1 stat line: 17 of 37 passing for 211 yards, 1 TD, 1 INTWeek 1 result: 18-11 win against BirminghamTa'amu had earned Shannon Harris' trust, and it paid dividends. After throwing the ball nearly 40 times for 211 yards with one TD and an INT, the Defenders became just the second team to defeat the Birmingham Stallions in two years and the first to accomplish that feat in Week 1.
Now in his third season with the Defenders, Ta'amu has thrown for at least 1,800 yards when he's started 10 games. In his only season in the USFL as the starter for the Tampa Bay Bandits, he led the league in passing with 2,014 yards. Last season, he led the league in passing TDs with 15.
If Ta'amu stays healthy, the Defenders have their best chance since 2023 to play for the league championship.
3. Michigan Panthers QB Bryce Perkins
Week 1 stat line: 16 of 19 passing for 163 yards, 1 TDWeek 1 result: 26-12 win at MemphisPerkins was the most efficient and polished passer I watched all weekend and that was evident in his stat line with just three incompletions thrown all game. Though he split time with former LSU QB Danny Etling, Perkins looks like he should not only be the Panthers' full-time QB, but the best in the USFL this season.
"In every play, there's going to be a throw or a run that's available to us," Perkins said on Saturday.
Knowing that and articulating it in a postgame media conference underscores just how comfortable he is in Year 2 of Marcel Bellefueille's offense.
Perkins left Virginia as the single-season record holder for passing yards (3,538) and had the second-most wins as a starter (17) behind former Cavalier Matt Schaub. Perkins is a winner, and that might just be an intangible trait that helps Michigan battle for the USFL conference crown.
2. Arlington Renegades RB Kalen BallageWeek 1 stat line: Nine rushes for 110 yards with a TDWeek 1 result: 33-9 win against San AntonioBallage became the first player to post a 100-yard rushing game in the UFL in Week 1.
Like the running back room in St. Louis, the Arlington Renegades feasted. Ballage rushed for 110 yards on just nine carries and a TD, while De'Von Smith enjoyed a short yardage back's dream — three rushes, 3 yards, three TDs.
It seems, though, Ballage is the featured tailback after playing one of his best games as a professional. In 2016, he tied the FBS record for TDs in a single game with eight in a 68-55 win for Arizona State against Texas Tech — seven rushing TDs on 13 carries. What's more? Battlehawks QB Manny Wilkins was his quarterback at ASU.
"I thought Kalen was going to make a big difference, and he does," Renegades coach Bob Stoops said on Saturday. "I'm excited to watch him the rest of the year."
1. St. Louis Battlehawks RB Jacob Saylors
Week 1 stat line: 16 rushes for 98 yards, four catches for 48 yardsWeek 1 result: 31-6 win at HoustonThe league's 2024 rushing leader is still a menace. As was evident last season, Saylors is one of the elite tailbacks in the UFL. He showed why in the Battlehawks' Week 1 rout with 145 total yards on 20 touches. If he can hold that pace, there's no question he'll be one of the players vying for player of the year honors in June.
It helps to have what looks like the league's best offensive line unit. As the offense continues to fill out, I'll be watching to see just how much of it runs through Sayers, who looks like one of the most dynamic skill players on a formidable Battlehawks offense.
Running back Jarveon Howard's 113 rushing yards on just 13 carries opened eyes, too. And the only thing better than having one great tailback is having two. St. Louis coach Anthony Becht must feel good about the prospect of mounting a challenge for the UFL title.
Only seven players have rushed for 100 yards or more in the UFL, and three of them have been St. Louis Battlehawks. Running back Mateo Durant rushed for 104 against Arlington last season.
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 on Twitter 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
San Francisco Chronicle
4 hours ago
- San Francisco Chronicle
Shohei Ohtani fans Trout with 101 mph fastball while pitching into the 5th in return to Big A mound
ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Shohei Ohtani returned to the Angel Stadium mound with 4 1/3 innings of five-hit, four-run ball for the Los Angeles Dodgers on Wednesday night in his first pitching appearance in Anaheim since he left the Los Angeles Angels nearly two years ago. Ohtani put on a two-way show for his old home crowd with seven strikeouts. He fanned Mike Trout twice, getting his friend and fellow MVP the second time with his fastest pitch of the night — a 101 mph fastball in the fourth inning. Ohtani also staked himself to an early lead by tripling and scoring as the Dodgers' leadoff hitter before he even took the mound, entertaining Angels fans with the same inimitable feats he accomplished regularly during his first six major league seasons with their club. Ohtani's mound start was his longest since he returned to pitching two months ago, but he didn't finish strong. He gave up three consecutive one-out hits in the fifth and left after Zach Neto's two-run double trimmed the Dodgers' lead to 5-4. Anthony Banda still escaped the jam, but only after the Angels loaded the bases. Ohtani also gave up a homer to Taylor Ward during the Angels' two-run second inning. He looked sharp in the next two innings before getting chased by two singles and Neto's drive. Ohtani is still beloved in Anaheim by fans who mostly couldn't blame him for leaving a team that could never assemble a winning lineup around him and Trout during six consecutive losing seasons. The three-time MVP — two of those trophies claimed with the Angels — has received cheers whenever he returns to the Big A, although that's also because much of the crowd wears Dodger Blue for these Freeway Series rivalry games. The fans were locked in on the main event in this showdown: After Trout and Ohtani acknowledged each other with slight nods and smirks, Ohtani finished his 1-2-3 first inning by throwing five straight fastballs to Trout before striking him out looking with a sweeper. The MVP ex-teammates hadn't faced each other since Ohtani famously struck out Trout in Tokyo — with the same pitch — to end the 2023 World Baseball Classic. Ohtani was even meaner to Trout in their second meeting, starting him out with a 73 mph curve before eventually fanning him with that blazing fastball in the low outside corner. Outside of Trout, Ohtani saw plenty of familiar faces Wednesday: Seven of the nine hitters in the Angels' starting lineup played with him in Anaheim. But Ohtani hadn't been on the mound at the Big A since Aug. 23, 2023, when he abruptly left a start against Cincinnati in the second inning with elbow pain later revealed to be a torn ligament. The resulting surgery kept him off the mound entirely in 2024 after he signed his 10-year, $700 million contract with the Dodgers. Ohtani returned to pitching two months ago, and the Dodgers have gradually built up his innings while maintaining his everyday role as their DH and leadoff hitter. Before his mound return, Ohtani homered in each of the first two games of this series — although he also lined into a triple play Tuesday. After getting loud pregame cheers, Ohtani began by driving a 2-2 pitch from Kyle Hendricks into deep right for a triple, and he quickly scored on Betts' single. Will Smith added his 15th homer a few minutes later to stake his pitcher to a 3-0 lead. Ward blasted a 97 mph fastball from Ohtani to right for his 29th homer, just the second allowed by Ohtani this season. Yoán Moncada then doubled and scored on two flyouts. ___
New York Post
7 hours ago
- New York Post
New-look starting lineup, red-hot star propelling Aces in time for Liberty
LAS VEGAS — With a little less than a month left in the season, the Aces seem to finally be hitting their stride. We've got you covered on the Liberty beat Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Madeline Kenney about all things Liberty and WNBA. tRY IT NOW The Aces (18-14) entered Wednesday's game against the Liberty (21-11) riding a four-game winning streak and have won six of their past seven games, with a plus-40 point differential. Advertisement The current hot streak comes after the team replaced a streaky Jewell Loyd in the starting lineup for career backup Kierstan Bell. It also helps that the Aces employ A'ja Wilson, who's vying for her fourth league MVP award. Wilson has been on a tear. Over the past seven games, she averaged 22.2 points, 11.1 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.4 blocks. A'ja Wilson celebrates after she making a basket to beat the shot clock late in the fourth quarter of the Ace's home win over the Sun on Aug. 10, 2025. Getty Images Two days ago she became the first player in WNBA history to record 30 points and 20 rebounds in a game. Advertisement Wilson's current play earned the reigning league MVP her third Western Conference player of the week nod. Earlier this season, the Aces struggled to build any sort of momentum. Loyd, whom the Aces acquired in a three-team trade that sent Kelsey Plum to Los Angeles, didn't prove to be a reliable secondary scoring option as the team had hoped. But the Aces seem to be getting it together as the postseason draws near. Advertisement As of Wednesday afternoon, they are currently fifth in the league standings. They're two games ahead of the Storm, who currently hold the final playoff spot, and three games ahead of the Sparks, who are the first team out of the playoff picture. Kierstan Bell celebrates during the Ace's blowout home win over the Valkyries on Aug. 3, 2025. NBAE via Getty Images Advertisement Though the Aces have dropped off from one season ago — their offensive and defensive ratings hover around league average — they may have found a bit of magic with this new starting lineup. It's also hard to count out any team that has Wilson on it.
USA Today
11 hours ago
- USA Today
Fanatics Sportsbook Promo: Snare Up to $300 Bonus for NFL Betting Odds, Lines & More
The battle for bragging rights in New York comes this weekend when the Jets and Giants face off on their shared home field. Both teams are working with revamped quarterback rooms, so this could be a highlight for the winner. If you're thinking about betting on the this game, another this weekend or one of the Week 1 openers, sign up today with the Fanatics Sportsbook promo and receive up to $300 in bonus bets or FanCash. If you're a new customer in Michigan, New Jersey or Pennsylvania, you'll reap $300 in bonus bets just for playing $30 in bonus bets over a three-day stretch. If you're a new bettor who'll play in Arizona, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, North Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia or West Virginia, you'll reel in $250 in FanCash once you make $50 in first bets in a five-day span. FanCash, by the way, can be used as bonus bets and for Fanatics swag. New bettors in every state except New York can select the flagship Fanatics Sportsbook offer that can lead to as much as $1,000 in No Sweat Bets over 10 days. New bettors who'll play in New York get taken care of, too: They get one 100% profit-boost token each day for 10 days in a row. Fanatics Sportsbook has a million ways to play on the 2025 NFL season. If you're focused on this week, go to the Fanatics Sportsbook app — one of the nation's most nimble sports betting apps — to see all the odds available on the Week 2 exhibitions that begin Friday with the Tennessee Titans at the Atlanta Falcons and the Kansas City Chiefs at Seattle Seahawks. If you're looking ahead to the Super Bowl, you'll see the Baltimore Ravens, Buffalo Bills and Philadelphia Eagles as co-favorites to win it all. You'll also find MVP odds for more than 100 players. (Anybody for Travis Kelce at +50000?). While you're thinking about all your NFL options, make sure to stuff your virtual pockets with the Fanatics Sportsbook promo, one of the most generous sportsbook promos for the taking. Hit any BET NOW button and it'll take just two minutes to sign up. Fanatics Sportsbook Promo: Register Now & Claim Bonus Up to $300 It's worth your while to take a spin around the Fanatics Sportsbook app's MLB tab each day to see the player props and other specials. For example, here's a matchup that caught our eye for tonight: two AL contenders face off in Houston, as Red Sox right-hander Walker Buehler (7-6, 5.40) takes on the Astros' Hunter Bown (9-5, 2.51). If you're plotting your wagers for the week, take a moment to check out the BMW Championship odds. The $20 million tournament is the middle stage of the $100 million FedExCup playoffs and features the PGA Tour's Top 50 players. If you have a hunch on somebody being able to hang with Scottie Scheffler, then you'll find some remarkable odds. It takes just two minutes to start your journey with the Fanatics Sportsbook promo. Depending on which state where you're planning to play, you'll be on the fast track to $300 in bonus bets, $250 in FanCash, up to $1,000 in No Sweat Bets or 10 days' worth of 100% profit-boost tokens. How to Unlock the Fanatic Sportsbook Promo Welcome Offers In just a few simple steps you can lock in your Fanatics Sportsbook promo offer. The Fanatics Sportsbook promo bet-and-get offers require a $10 qualifying bet on odds of -500 or better. In MI, NJ and PA, that qualifying bet returns $100 in bonus bets each day for three days, totaling $300 in bonus bets. In AZ, CO, IL, IN, LA, MA, MD, NC, OH, TN, VA and WV, the $10 qualifying wager earns $50 in FanCash each day for five days, totaling $250 in bonus bets or merchandise. In DC, IA, KS, KY, VT and WY, plus those in the above listed states, make a designated No Sweat Bet each day for the first 10 days. In the event of a loss, you will receive a matching amount of up to $100 each day, which would total $1,000 in FanCash. If you choose any of these options, you will be automatically opted-in on Day 1 but you must opt-in manually on the subsequent days. Bettors in New York get a 100% profit boost daily for 10 days. Bonus bets distributed through any of the Fanatics Sportsbook promo offers will be deposited within 72 hours of placing your qualifying bet. Divide up your bonus bets however you choose but use them within seven days of being deposited before they expire. Whichever offer you choose depending on your location, don't wait another moment. Tap any BET NOW button and sign up today!
