The UFL has become a direct pathway to NFL training camps. As of this week, since the conclusion of the 2026 UFL season, a total of 47 players have participated in workouts and/or signed with NFL teams. Four of the UFL players were wide receivers signed to the Detroit Lions.
Ranking UFL Wide Receivers Who Stand The Best Chance of Making Detroit’s 53-Man Roster
As Denver Broncos ‘ head coach Sean Payton recently revealed, the UFL is becoming a player development portal for the NFL. “I think it’s kind of becoming that, ‘O.K., where’s the next market? They’re getting developed somewhere. Where are they if they’re not in our league? I think to their league’s credit, it’s (the UFL) helping us.”
As teams continue to evaluate talent ahead of the upcoming NFL season, not every training camp tryout leads to NFL success. Often, the majority of players don’t get signed since the competition for limited roster space alongside established NFL veterans is steep. However, the opportunity to attend an NFL training camp provides an invaluable opportunity for the player.
With several ex-UFL players having made the roster in recent years, the Detroit Lions remain one of the more UFL-friendly destinations. Earlier this season, third-year kicker Jake Bates was extended with a one-year exclusive restricted free agent tender worth $1,075,000. Following a successful 2025 as a kick return specialist, All-UFL Team running back Jacob Saylors is back with the team for a second year. Cornerback Nick Whiteside, who made a splash as a member of the 2025 “Legion of Whom,” returns for his second season.
In January, former San Antonio Brahmas TE Thomas Gordon signed a reserve/ future contract with the team. Immediately following the conclusion of the 2026 UFL season, Detroit added several more UFL talents to the roster.
The Latest UFL Signings
In the past, the majority of UFL players found their way to the NFL via exceptional special teams play. However, this season, the most desired position has shifted to wide receiver. 10 of the 23 players currently signed to NFL teams are UFL wide receivers.
Fresh off the United Bowl Championship season, former Louisville Kings wide receivers Lucky Jackson and Tarik Black were signed. In addition, two other wide receivers, former Houston Gamblers’ Lawrence Keys III and Columbus Aviators’ WR Tay Martin, recently signed with Detroit.
As announced this week, the latest UFL player to earn a tryout with Detroit is DC Defenders UFL wide receiver, Cornell Powell. Let’s take a closer look at each of the UFL talents and see how they compare to each other.
One of the advantages of playing in the UFL is that over the course of a 10-week regular season, talented players are allowed to grow and develop their skills by playing every week. Often, UFL players who previously spent time on NFL practice squads without ever taking the field flourish with the consistent weekly playing time and dedicated coaching. Which of the talented spring players can translate what they learned in the UFL to the NFL? Who stands the best chance of making the Lions’ 53-Man Roster?
5) Cornell Powell, Super Bowl Champion
After graduating from Clemson after a breakout senior year with 53 receptions for 882 yards and seven touchdowns, Powell was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in the fifth-round of the 2021 NFL Draft. He was with the Chiefs during their back-to-back Super Bowl wins in 2023-2024. However, after spending the majority of his time on the practice squad, he was released in November of 2024 and promptly signed to the Seattle Seahawks practice squad. Signed to a future /reserve contract the following January, Powell was waived in February.
Upon his release from Seattle, Powell signed as a UFL wide receiver for the 2025 season and led the league with seven touchdowns on 29 receptions for 418 yards in nine games. In 2206, he did even better with 34 receptions for 491 yards with one score in nine regular-season games, and another five catches for 68 yards in the postseason.
4) Tay Martin, The Most NFL Experience
At 6’1” 184 lbs., Tay Martin had a breakout senior campaign at Oklahoma State, posting an impressive 80 receptions for 1,046 yards with 10 touchdowns.
NFLDraftbuzz.com profiled him as a “balanced, savvy route runner with top field awareness.” Highlighting his ability to set up and sell routes beautifully, the site noted his “knack for getting open and coming down with the ball.” Although Martin lacks elite speed, it was pointed out that he is “rarely caught from behind.”
After signing with the San Francisco 49ers as an undrafted free agent in 2022, Martin spent two seasons on their practice squad before his 2024 release. Signed by the Tennessee Titans a week later, he made his NFL debut in Week 18. Playing against the Houston Texans, Martin caught his first NFL reception from quarterback Will Levis for a 49-yard touchdown.
However, a subsequent injury the following spring led to Martin being placed on IR and ultimately released. He spent the 2025 season with the Washington Commanders, where he appeared in three games.
In January, Martin signed with the UFL Columbus Aviators. Ranking third among UFL wide receivers in 2026, he recorded 42 receptions for 483 yards with two touchdowns. Now he brings his talents to the Lions, where Martin’s previous NFL experience could give him an edge in training camp.
3) Tarik Black, Deep Ball Threat
Another member of the Kings’ Championship team, 6’3”, 213 lb. Black was a four-star recruit who began his college career at the University of Michigan before transferring to Texas for his final year of eligibility. Black’s height, coupled with his large, reliable hands, makes him a legitimate vertical threat.
NFL draftbuzz.com noted his willingness to go up and attack the ball and praised his ability to snatch balls out of the air and “make acrobatic catches look easy.” At the 2021 NFL Combine, NFL Analyst Lance Zierlein highlighted his “ability to elude the tackle and get up the field after catch.”
Although he went undrafted in 2021, Black signed as a UDFA with the Indianapolis Colts later that spring. He remained on their practice squad until his late November release. Signing with the New York Jets in December, Black made his NFL debut in the final game of the season and recorded his first NFL reception. Re-signed by the Jets for 2022, Black spent the season on their practice squad. Subsequent stints with other NFL practice squads followed.
Making his UFL debut in 2026, Black’s talent for quickly getting upfield soon became apparent, and he was quarterback Chandler Rogers’ favorite deep ball threat. Despite missing one game with a minor hamstring injury, he nonetheless recorded 31 receptions for 459 yards with three touchdowns with the Kings.
Now, the former UFL wide receiver is hoping the skills he honed in the UFL will be his ticket back to the NFL.
2) Lucky Jackson, Ball Hawk With Special Teams Ability
A former D.C. Defenders All-XFL star, Jackson played for the Minnesota Vikings in 2024, where he appeared in three regular-season games. When All-Pro receiver Justin Jefferson suffered a hamstring injury, he inherited Jefferson’s reps in practice. At 6’0” and 186 lbs., Jackson was slightly smaller in stature than Jefferson’s 6’1” and 195 lbs. he impressed Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell, “I think it shows a lot that he can step in for [Jefferson] in many ways and take the positional reps that Justin would be taking.”
Acknowledging the coaching staff’s trust in him, he continued, “This is a guy that does everything the right way… doing everything in his control to become the best player he can become.”
After signing with Louisville for the 2026 season, Jackson quickly developed a reputation for making difficult catches with his great ball tracking ability. Finishing the Kings’ Championship season with 38 receptions for 440 yards with two touchdowns, he served as Louisville’s primary punt return specialist, and returned 13 punts for 155 yards.
After losing Kalif Raymond to the Chicago Bears, Detroit is looking for a talented return specialist to take his place. Jackson’s previous NFL experience and his special teams ability should give him an advantage. After a successful Championship season as a UFL wide receiver and return specialist, could Jackson be the one to assume that role?
1) Lawrence Keys III, All-Purpose Utility Threat
A 5’11” 175 lb. Louisiana native, Keys transferred to Tulane for his final year of eligibility as a red-shirt senior. Known as a triple-threat, he was utilized as a wide receiver, a punt/kick returner, and a running back. Keys’ longest reception was for 43 yards. He added five carries for 43 yards and a touchdown, and his longest kick return was for 63 yards.
After a brief stint with the Buffalo Bills in 2024 as an undrafted free agent, Keys joined the Houston Gamblers in 2025. In 2026, Keys did it all for Houston, recording 24 receptions for 349 yards with two touchdowns, 11 punt returns for 134 yards, and 19 kick returns for 518 yards with his longest return 64-yards. He had another kickoff return for 44-yards this season. With over 1,000 all-purpose yards, Keys remains a true threat, and his best path to the Lions roster is through special teams. With two huge 60-plus-yard returns, Keys may very well be the player the Lions are seeking as Raymond’s replacement.
Detroit’s Crowded Wide Receiver Room
Dan Campbell has made no secret of the fact that he wants his players to fight for their roster spot. However, All-Pro star Amon-Ra St. Brown, 1000-yard receiver Jameson Williams, second-year talent Isaac TeSlaa, and free agent acquisition Greg Dortch have (presumably) locked up the first four slots. The competition among the remaining wide receivers, including Jackson Meeks, Malik Cunningham, Tom Kennedy, Dominic Lovett, and veteran Cedrick Wilson Jr.will be fierce. Jackson’s special teams experience and Keys’ expertise as a utility player may provide them with the best chance to make the roster. Hopefully, at least one of these talented UFL wide receivers will make the final cut.
