UFL 2026 Season: 7 Players You May Already Know

The 2026 UFL Draft has officially concluded, setting the stage for a pivotal season scheduled to kick off in late March. The draft process, split between returning UFL players and a massive pool of free agents, serves as a critical talent acquisition period for the league’s eight franchises. For football enthusiasts, the UFL represents a unique convergence of developing prospects and established veterans seeking a pathway back to the NFL.

UFL 2026 Season Kicks Off With The Annual Draft

This year’s selection process was particularly noteworthy for the volume of recognizable names called. From former first-round picks looking to rehabilitate their value to collegiate icons who dominated Saturdays, the rosters are now populated with high-ceiling talent. Analyzing the draft results reveals a strategic emphasis on players with NFL experience and high-level collegiate production. Below are seven players selected in the 2026 UFL Draft that you will likely recognize, along with an evaluation of their potential impact.

Lewis Cine (Safety, DC Defenders)

Selected by the DC Defenders on Day Two of the draft, Lewis Cine arguably represents the highest-profile acquisition in the league this cycle. A former first-round pick by the Minnesota Vikings (32nd overall in 2022) and a standout at Georgia, Cine’s NFL career was derailed by a severe compound leg fracture during his rookie season.

Cine possesses elite athletic traits, including explosive closing speed and heavy-hitting ability that made him a force in the SEC. His selection by DC suggests the Defenders are banking on his physical recovery being complete. If he can regain the lateral agility he displayed at Georgia, he projects as an immediate difference-maker in the secondary.

• Scouting Watch: Monitor Cine’s snap count early in the season. If he is deployed in single-high safety looks, it indicates the coaching staff has full confidence in his range and recovery speed post-injury.

Laviska Shenault Jr. (Wide Receiver, Birmingham Stallions)

The Birmingham Stallions utilized a Day Two selection to acquire Laviska Shenault Jr., a player known for his unique versatility. Formerly of the Colorado Buffaloes, Shenault spent time in the NFL with the Jacksonville Jaguars and Carolina Panthers. He is a “positionless” offensive weapon, built like a running back but possessing the ball skills of a receiver.

Shenault thrives on yards after the catch (YAC) and contact balance. In the NFL, he was often utilized in gadget roles, taking snaps from the backfield and in the slot. The Stallions will likely manufacture touches for him to exploit mismatches against smaller defensive backs and slower linebackers.

• Scouting Watch: Look for Shenault to be utilized on jet sweeps and screen passes. The most effective way to neutralize his impact is to tackle him before he builds a head of steam; watch how defenses crowd the line of scrimmage when he goes in motion.

Denzel Mims (Wide Receiver, Dallas Renegades)

Denzel Mims, a former second-round pick by the New York Jets, was selected by the Dallas Renegades on Day One. Mims garnered significant attention coming out of Baylor due to his rare combination of size (6’3″) and 4.38 speed. While his NFL career was plagued by inconsistency and limited separation, his physical profile remains elite for the UFL level.

Mims projects as a perimeter “X” receiver who can stretch the field vertically and win contested catches. The Renegades will likely ask him to use his catch radius to dominate in the red zone, an area where physical receivers often find the most success in spring leagues.

• Scouting Watch: Pay attention to his route running on intermediate patterns. If Mims can consistently separate on 10-15 yard dig routes and comebacks, he will force safeties to play deep, opening up the run game for Dallas.

Benny Snell (Running Back, Louisville Kings)

The Louisville Kings bolstered their backfield on Day Two by selecting Benny Snell. A household name for SEC fans, Snell left Kentucky as the program’s all-time leading rusher before spending four seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Known for “Snell Yeah” football, he is a downhill, physical runner who embraces contact.

Snell is not a back who relies on breakaway speed; rather, he excels in short-yardage situations and wearing down defenses in the fourth quarter. His selection indicates Louisville plans to establish a physical identity on offense.

• Scouting Watch: Observe Snell’s efficiency in “and-short” situations. His value lies in his ability to convert 3rd-and-1s consistently. If the offensive line can generate a push, Snell provides a high floor for the Kings’ rushing attack.

Rodrigo Blankenship (Kicker, Birmingham Stallions)

Special teams often decide the outcome of UFL games, and the Birmingham Stallions secured a proven commodity by drafting Rodrigo Blankenship on Day Two. The former Georgia Bulldog and Indianapolis Colt gained fame for his signature spectacles and clutch collegiate kicking.

Blankenship brings a level of reliability and experience that is often scarce in alternative leagues. While injury issues cut his NFL tenure short, his mechanics and accuracy from inside 40 yards remain high-level traits. In a league where field position is premium, a consistent kicker is a significant asset.

• Scouting Watch: Focus on his trajectory on kicks from 45+ yards. Blankenship has historically had ample leg strength, but mechanics can waver at distance. Consistency from deep will determine if he gets another NFL look.

Irv Smith Jr. (Tight End, Louisville Kings)

Another Day Two pickup for the Louisville Kings, Irv Smith Jr. is a former second-round pick out of Alabama who played for the Vikings and Bengals. An athletic “move” tight end, Smith functions more as a heavy slot receiver than a traditional inline blocker.

Smith’s agility allows him to separate from linebackers in man coverage, making him a dangerous weapon on seam routes. If he can stay healthy—a significant hurdle in his professional career thus far—he has the talent to be the most productive tight end in the UFL.

• Scouting Watch: Analyze how Louisville lines him up. If he is frequently detached from the line of scrimmage, expect him to be the primary read on passing downs.

Andrew Booth (Cornerback, Louisville Kings)

The Louisville Kings’ aggressive draft strategy continued on Day Two with the selection of Andrew Booth. A second-round pick by the Vikings in 2022 out of Clemson, Booth was viewed as a first-round talent who fell due to injury concerns. When healthy, he displays fluid hips, excellent ball skills, and the aggression required for press-man coverage.

Booth represents a “reclamation project” with immense upside. He has the raw talent to shut down one side of the field, allowing the Kings to roll coverage elsewhere.

• Scouting Watch: Watch his technique at the line of scrimmage. Booth is at his best in press coverage where he can disrupt timing. If he plays too much “off” coverage, it may indicate a lack of confidence in his long speed or recovery ability.

Conclusion

The 2026 UFL Draft has injected a significant amount of recognizable talent into the league, raising the floor of competition and intrigue for the upcoming season. These players possess the physical traits and pedigrees to dominate at this level, but their success will depend on scheme fit and health.

For comprehensive coverage of the upcoming season and to see how these draft picks perform in training camp, stay tuned to our UFL page for weekly analysis and roster updates.