Notable performances from XFL/USFL/UFL players in NFL preseason, Week Three

The third week of the preseason is the final opportunity for players to show they deserve to make the 53-man roster or, at worst, the practice squad. Many fringe players get extended playing time to showcase their skills and put work on tape for the other 31 teams in the league. Many former spring football players fall into this category.

Indianapolis at Cincinnati

The variation in playing time strategy was on display in this game. Indianapolis played many of its starters, as all but 10 players on the 90-man roster saw the field. For Cincinnati, 40 players were inactive. DE Levi Bell (Panthers) played the third and fourth quarters (23% of the snaps), making two tackles, one for a loss. The TFL came when he fought off the block of left tackle Cody Ford to stop RB Noah Cain in the backfield.

With playing time spread among so many, WR DJ Montgomery (Panthers) still managed to play 45% of the offensive snaps, as well as 32% on special teams. Despite that, he didn’t garner any targets on the team’s 37 pass attempts.

The third center to enter the game for Indy, C Mike Panasiuk (Battlehawks) was brought in for the first Colts drive of the fourth quarter when Kedon Slovis took over at QB. It ended up being two drives worth of work, or 17% of the snaps on offense.

With the Bengals resting many of their players, CB Nate Brooks (Panthers) picked up the slack to the tune of 74% of the playing time on defense. He came in during the second quarter and played from that point on. He made three tackles, but also allowed a catch by Ashton Dulin in front of him a few yards behind the sticks. Dulin was able to muscle past Brooks to get the first down.

It was a rough finish to the preseason for WR Hakeem Butler (Battlehawks), who didn’t have the success he found last year with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Butler didn’t get in on offense, seeing just four special teams snaps. He was part of the first wave of Bengals cuts the next day.

DT Carlos Davis (Stallions) made a few splash plays in extensive action (62% of defensive snaps). While he didn’t start, Davis did check in on the first drive, getting face time against Indy’s starters. He made a big stop on the first play of the second quarter, shooting by C Ryan Kelly to drop RB Evan Hull for a big loss. Later, he had a good rep against LG Dalton Tucker to pressure QB Sam Ehlinger and take him down after Ehlinger uncorked a long pass. His final stat line was four tackles, two QB hits, and a tackle for loss. With DT Domenique Davis (Gamblers) again out, this marked all three preseason games that Davis missed.

Chicago at Kansas City

On the starting kick coverage team for the evening was LB Javin White (Panthers). He played by far the most special teams snaps (64%) of any player on the Bears in this game. He made two tackles on coverage teams, including one on Mecole Hardman on a big kick return early in the second quarter. White played only four snaps on defense, however.

Jacksonville at Atlanta

With backup QB CJ Beathard nursing an injured groin, the Jaguars brought in a familiar face in QB EJ Perry (Panthers) to get them through the final preseason tilt. Perry, who also had stints with Jacksonville in 2022 and 2023, came in at 10:33 of the fourth quarter. The game announcers mentioned he had digested about 50% of the  playbook. He mostly just handed the ball off as the Jags ran out the clock in a blowout. He was 2-for-2 passing for four yards.

After garnering some buzz for his play in the first two preseason games, DE Breeland Speaks (Panthers) somewhat surprisingly only played late in the fourth quarter, to the tune of two snaps. Jacksonville did play their starters on defense deeper into the game than most teams.

Atlanta had a long catalog of players they held out of action, but no former spring footballers were on that list. S Micah Abernathy (Gamblers) started at safety and had two assisted tackles in his 29% of snaps. S Lukas Denis (Battlehawks) would’ve normally started here, but instead Atlanta opted to start CB Kevin King at safety. Denis was on the opening kick return team and made his defensive debut in the second quarter, on the third drive. He worked with King as the two safeties. Denis had a nice pass break-up on a third down throw downfield to TE Josiah Deguara in Atlanta territory. One of the more active players on the field, Denis played 71% of defensive snaps and 55% of those on special teams. He made four tackles and had the one PBU on D.

Teaming with Denis at safety to begin the second half was S Tre Tarpley III (Maulers). Though he made no splash plays, he did have four tackles in 47% of the defensive snaps (55% on ST). LB Storey Jackson (Renegades) players just one snap on defense but he made it count: It was a third down tackle for loss on a pass to the back behind the line of scrimmage. He played two snaps on special teams.

Starting and playing through all four quarters was DT LaCale London (Battlehawks). His usage was spotty, however, as he managed just 41% of snaps across nearly the entire game. He made three tackles on the day. DT Prince Emili’s (Brahmas) snap count was very similar, at a 40% clip, just one snap shy of London’s total. Emili was more impactful, fighting off a block from Jaguars starting RT Anton Harrison to bring down RB Travis Etienne for a short gain. In the fourth, he played outside on the line and tackled RB Gary Brightwell for a loss. He tallied three tackles, the one for a loss.

On offense, three former XFL players started for Atlanta in WR Chris Blair (Defenders), QB Taylor Heinicke (Battlehawks) and OT Storm Norton (Wildcats). Blair used his hands to separate from CB Ronald Darby to catch a pass for first down yardage on the second drive. He played all of the first half on offense and still played on special teams into the fourth quarter. Blair had two catches for 18 yards in 57% of the snaps, while also getting 55% of the special teams reps.

Heinicke, like the others who started the game, played against Jacksonville’s first-team defense. He had a great 3rd-and-10 throw on the first drive into Jags territory for 20 yards to WR Casey Washington. Later on the drive, he showed escapability in the pocket before getting positive yards with a shovel pass. In total, he moved the ball well but stalled out in Jacksonville territory on the first three drives. He played all of the first half, going 8-of-17 passing for 81 yards. Norton started at left tackle after starting game one at right tackle (he sat out last week). He played in just two drives.

Replacing Norton was OT Julien Davenport (Brahmas). Davenport was called for a hold that was declined; he had a tough time blocking Jaguars star DE Josh Hines-Allen. He played 57% of the snaps. OT Jaryd Jones-Smith (Battlehawks) tagged in for Davenport late in the fourth quarter, playing just one drive, and five snaps. OT Barry Wesley (Sea Dragons) played nine snaps, coming in first at right guard, then moving to right tackle on the ensuing drive.

The most notable thing TE Jordan Thomas (Stallions) did was to mix it up with Deguara after the whistle on a fourth quarter kickoff return by Atlanta. It was his only snap on special teams, while he played 20% of the snaps on offense.

Miami at Tampa Bay

The Dolphins were conservative with their starters throughout the preseason, so S Elijah Campbell (Defenders) picked up his third straight start. He did a good job of coming all the way across the field and taking a nice angle to tackle RB Rachaad White after a long gain from a catch out of the backfield (Tampa did play their starters). For the second straight week, Campbell made a hard hit, coming in like a missile from the defensive backfield and shouldering WR Cody Thompson down following a catch on a short pass over the middle. Campbell played 38% of the defensive snaps, making four tackles in that span, before exiting in the second quarter.

RB Anthony McFarland (Brahmas) signed with Miami last week after trying out for a number of teams this summer. He came in during the third quarter, catching a pass on his first play and showing immediate acceleration. He switched in and out with rookie Jaylen Wright in the second half. McFarland carried six times for 12 yards and caught two passes for 12 yards in playing 21% of offensive snaps.

It’s been a relatively healthy preseason for former UFL players, but LB Wyatt Ray (Brahmas) got dinged up this week. He hurt his right knee on a play late in the fourth quarter and had to be tended to by the Miami medical staff. Prior to that, Ray found himself on the first-team kick return unit and first-team punt coverage unit on the evening. He played on defense beginning early in the second quarter. Before the injury, he played on 47% of the snaps on D, 65% on special teams, and was in on two tackles from scrimmage, one for a loss.

It was a strong final showing for DT CJ Brewer (Roughnecks) with the Buccaneers. Despite playing their first-team defense, Brewer was sighted as early as late in the first quarter, dropping RB Jeff Wilson for a loss of three, getting skinny and fitting in between center and guard to burst through. Later, he got his hands up on a pass at the line of scrimmage to knock it down. Brewer consistently showed the ability to get into the backfield off the snap, but one of those plays was flagged for lining up in the neutral zone. He even stood up to rush off edge on one play – it must’ve been an intimidating sight because rookie OT Patrick Paul committed a false start across from him. Brewer played until the midway through fourth quarter, totaling 41% of snaps, with two tackles, one for loss, a QB hit and a pass defensed.

Struggling to find meaningful playing time all preseason, TE Sal Cannella (Renegades) only appeared on special teams in this game. He managed six snaps on that unit, all in the second half.

San Francisco at Las Vegas

DE Jonathan Garvin (Stallions) played 38% of snaps on defense, first entering late in the first half, but not playing extensively until the fourth quarter. He was credited with a tackle and a quarterback hit. WR Jontre Kirklin (Brahmas) reached his preseason high in offensive snaps with just three. A potential special teamer, he played only two snaps on that unit, clearly an afterthought on the 90-man roster.

For Las Vegas, LB DaShaun White (Panthers) saw action on defense with about six minutes remaining in the game. On one play, he met RB Cody Schrader (a Battlehawks draft pick) head-on in the hole and got knocked backward, but also stopped Schrader for no gain. White had two assisted tackles in 25% of the snaps on defense, playing just two snaps on special teams.

Pittsburgh at Detroit

As he has done all preseason, LS Christian Kuntz (Renegades) handled all long snaps for the Steelers in preparation for that role during the regular season. RB Aaron Shampklin (Gamblers) saw time on offense on the third drive of the game. At times, he alternated series with La’Mical Perine. On special teams, Shampklin showed good form to break down and take away the angle in the open field on a tackle made on punt coverage. He ran seven times for 13 yards, covering 35% of offensive snaps and 23% of special teams snaps.

Signed just days before this game, LB Kyahva Tezino (Stallions) got in on defense at the end of the third quarter. On his first tackle, he was flagged for a horse-collar in chasing down a receiver. He did have three tackles on defense, one on special teams. Tezino’s playing time was symmetrical: 19% on defense and on special teams.

Playing the second-most snaps of any cornerback in the game (40, or 54% of the game), CB Kiondre Thomas (Roughnecks) appeared on defense beginning in the second quarter. The highlight of his five-tackle effort was being in on a stop at the line of scrimmage near the goal line.

LS Scott Daly (New York Guardians) played behind undrafted LS Hogan Hatten for the third straight game. Hatten snapped in the first half, Daly the entirety of the second. His battery mate, K Jake Bates (Panthers), had a rough go in his final audition to be Detroit’s opening day kicker. He erred twice on kickoffs, the first not reaching the 20 and the second time, kicking it out of bounds. He then missed a 30-yard field goal. Bates got back on track, hitting from 46 in the fourth quarter, also contributing on a tackle in the return game by knocking John Rhys Plumlee out of bounds.

Starting the second half at right guard, G Jacob Burton (Panthers) worked at that position the rest of the way, earning 53% of the snaps. Burton played the same position in all three preseason games, also playing the entirety of the second half in all three. Newly-signed LB Joel Iyiegbuniwe (Brahmas) played middle linebacker starting on the third drive. He was guilty of holding on a kickoff return in the second half. Despite just being brought in, he played until the final whistle on defense, good for 61% of the snaps on defense and 27% on special teams. Iyiegbuniwe made three tackles and was credited with a half-sack.

Starting with QB Hendon Hooker and other second-stringers, WR Kaden Davis (Panthers) beat Kiondre Thomas for an 18-yard gain just before half. He caught two passes for 27 yards and appeared to be done after halftime. He played 43% of the offensive snaps while active.

One of his receiver counterparts, WR Maurice Alexander (Stars), was in the game late in the first half and was back to return kicks in the second half. He also returned a punt in the third quarter. Alexander went up and high-pointed a pass from Hooker over the middle then ran for some yards after catch. Overall, he had some nice receptions and showed some tackle-breaking ability. Alexander led the team with four grabs for 60 yards and had two kick returns for 55 yards (his two punt returns were fair caught). He led all receivers for Detroit in playing 55% of snaps.

LA Chargers at Dallas

Trying to hold on to his roster spot, TE Donald Parham (Renegades) started and saw a lot of reps as an in-line run blocking, which is his weakness. He had just one target in the passing game in 39% of the snaps. CB Matt Hankins (Stallions) came on in the second quarter, playing right corner. He was beaten for an 11-yard TD by Ryan Flournoy on an end zone fade. Hankins played into the fourth quarter. He snagged Trey Lance’s fourth interception of the day, wrestling the ball away from receiver Cam Johnson. Hankins played 41% of defensive snaps and 56% of special teams snaps, making two tackles on defense as well as one on ST, and also defensing two passes.

LB Frank Ginda (Panthers) appeared on LA’s kick return team to open the second half. Defensively, he came on with just over four minutes left in the third quarter. He managed four tackles in just 24 snaps (25% on D), also playing 70% of the snaps on special teams. The Chargers gave QB Easton Stick the entire game to prove he was worthy of being Justin Herbert’s backup, meaning QB Luis Perez (Renegades) was stuck to the bench.

For Dallas, LB Willie Harvey (Battlehawks) started. He dropped way back into pass coverage just before half, and got his hands on a deep pass but couldn’t haul it in. He played fully the first half, and was done at halftime. His playing time was 55% on defense, 41% on special teams, making just one assisted tackle.

CB Josh Butler (Panthers) was also in the starting lineup. He ran down to trip up WR Derius Davis for little gain on a first quarter punt return. Like Harvey, Butler played the first half, and was done on defense at halftime, though he was still playing special teams into the fourth quarter. He managed two tackles in 43% of defensive snaps, 30% on special teams.

On special teams, WR Deontay Burnett (Renegades) failed to jam the gunner at the line of scrimmage on a punt, allowing the gunner, Jaylen Johnson, to smash into the returner as he caught the ball. One of Lance’s many INTs was intended for Burnett in the end zone. Later, he had a step on Hankins on a deep ball but lost it off his fingertips diving into the end zone. He finished with three catches for 40 yards, playing 43% of the day on offense. WR Kelvin Harmon (Defenders) had a quiet game, entering on the first drive of the second quarter (the team’s fourth drive). He had one catch for 14 yards in 30% of snaps.

Hitting two short field goals, K Brandon Aubrey (Stallions) proved he’s ready for the regular season. C Cohl Cabral (Panthers) started the second half at right guard, where he played on 51% of offensive snaps. WR Kavontae Turpin (Stars) made it 0-for-3 in playing preseason games this year.

New York Giants at New York Jets

Bidding for the third QB job in New York, QB Adrian Martinez (Stallions) got his first preseason start. He suffered a sack and then had a snap get away from him on the next play, forcing him to chase it down into the end zone and heaving a desperation throw to avoid a safety. On 3rd-and-8 with 8:52 remaining in the first half, NFL fans got a glimpse of what UFL fans saw all year: Martinez took off and ran for a big gain of 20 yards. He wasn’t playing with scrubs, either, as he had receivers like Jason Brownlee and Malachi Corley playing with him. Martinez led the team to 10 points in the first half (it would’ve been 13 had it not been for Greg Zuerlein missing a short FG before half). He played the first half before giving away to his competition, Andrew Peasley, in the second half. Martinez finished 12-of-20 passing for 99 yards, rushing three times for 23 yards.

Starting and playing 61% of defensive snaps, DT Bruce Hector (Renegades) had just one assisted tackle to his name during that time. In his second stint with the team this summer, CB Nehemiah Shelton (Showboats) played on 57% of the snaps, making three tackles and knocking down two passes. He played the entire second half and his best play was having sticky coverage on WR John Jiles, breaking up a pass that had to be reviewed as the initial call was a completion.

LB Anthony Hines (Defenders) and DT Jaylen Twyman (Brahmas) both played their first game in a Jets uniform in 2024, both having recently signed. Hines came in on D late in the third quarter, making two tackles, both for loss, in just six total snaps. Twyman played 39% of snaps, playing as early as the first drive, a long one for the Giants offense. He had one tackle on the day.

Both WR Isaiah Winstead (Renegades) and WR Brandon Smith (Defenders) came in to start the second half. Smith had the best play of the two, going up to make an acrobatic catch down the sidelines, barely getting both feet in bounds for a 39-yard gain just before the two minute warning at the end of the game. It was the only catch for either player, as Winstead played 31% of snaps, Smith 57%.

G Kohl Levao (Brahmas) entered at left guard on the second drive. He moved to right guard to open the second half. Levao played until the final drive, when he was pulled for other depth players. He led the offense in playing 87% of snaps.

Cleveland at Seattle

Situating himself under center beginning on the second drive of the second half, QB PJ Walker (Roughnecks) went 7-of-10 passing for 49 yards. At one point, he had an interception called back by a roughing the passer penalty. WR Ty Scott (Defenders) finished an uneventful preseason with just one target on three snaps.

G Michael Dunn (Dragons) did not play – it was later revealed he was injured and will start the regular season on a reserve list. G Zack Johnson (Stallions) was not hurt and came in on the fourth drive early in the second quarter, playing right tackle. He got time with other second-teamers on the offensive line. Though he mostly players the interior, he appeared to acquit himself well on the outside. He was called for a hold on a pass play that went down inside the 10-yard line before the half. To start the second half, Johnson moved to center. He totaled 68% of the snaps on offense.

Back for a third game, LS Rex Sunahara (Brahmas) snapped again on all punts and kicks. LB Marvin Moody (Roughnecks) saw action on defense on the first drive of the second half. He had a tackle on defense (20% of snaps) and one on special teams (12%). OT Chim Okorafor (Panthers) subbed in at right tackle on the first fourth quarter drive, kicking over to right guard later. Okorafor’s snap total was 28%. After being cut by the Giants following the first preseason game, RB Jacob Saylors (Battlehawks) signed with Cleveland. He had a few nice carries coming in midway through third quarter – his first carry went for about 15 yards, running behind Zack Johnson. Saylors played eight offensive snaps, rushing five times for 30 yards.

LA Rams at Houston

The Rams played just 38 players in their finale. Because of this, C Alec Lindstrom (Showboats) and OT Matt Kaskey (Stallions) were both given more playing time than they otherwise would’ve received. Lindstrom entered at left guard early in the fourth quarter, finishing with 30% of the snaps played. Kaskey was at left tackle on the second drive of the second half, playing 35% of snaps.

DE Malik Fisher (Defenders) was brought in on the second drive of the game for Houston. He showed speed in closing in on QB Dresser Winn, taking him down though Winn got the throw off. Fisher played 61% of defensive snaps, 32% on special teams, notching three tackles. DT Khalil Davis was active as interior defensive insurance but ended up playing just a meager special teams snaps.

Carolina at Buffalo

Active for the first time this preseason, DE LaBryan Ray (Stars) saw action in the fourth quarter. Carolina’s D-Line really struggled in the run game. Ray made one tackle on 26% of the snaps. DT Walter Palmore (Panthers) started the second half on the defensive interior. He played 36% of the snaps and made four tackles.

Injuries at the position led to QB Ben DiNucci (Sea Dragons) starting for Buffalo. He threw a lot of short, horizontal passes on the first drive. He overthrew a wide-open receiver in the end zone at the end of the first drive. DiNucci played the entire first half, with Anthony Brown taking over in the second half. DiNucci led the team to 11 points. He was 11-of-15 for 76 yards and a touchdown (a pass to a back out of the backfield on a bit of a wheel route), rushing for an additional 14 yards.

WR Deon Cain (Stallions) played in the second quarter, catching one of those WR screens from DiNucci. He caught a second one on the same drive, earning a first down both times. Cain picked up a third bubble screen, this time from Brown in the third quarter. Those were his three catches (for 28 yards) on the day. Cain played into the fourth quarter, totaling 39% of the offensive snaps.

Baltimore at Green Bay

QB Josh Johnson (Wildcats) got credit for the start. His accuracy was not great through the first two drives, as he didn’t allow for yards after the catch with how his receivers caught his passes. Johnson hit Tylan Wallace wide open over the middle for a 48-yard TD; that TD was his final pass as he was relieved after playing three series’. His stat line: 5-of-7 for 71 yards and a touchdown. LS Nick Moore (Tampa Bay Vipers) handled all long snapping chores.

In his second season, P Daniel Whelan (Defenders) performed well, punting three times for a 45.3 average and a 43.0 net, landing one punt inside the 20. RB Nate McCrary (Panthers) ran with power and escapabaility when he entered on the second drive of the second half. He had 11 carries for 64 yards (5.8 average) against Baltimore’s reserves. McCrary played 14 snaps, for 22% of the total on offense.

DE Zach Morton (Brahmas) started his consistent play time late in the third quarter. He got a good rush on QB Devin Leary, knocking him down after hurrying him to make a pass. Morton played 19% of the snaps and had one assisted tackle. DT Keonte Schad (Roughnecks) played perhaps earlier than expected, late in the third, when DT Jonathan Ford got hurt. Schad had one tackle on 29% of snaps.

Minnesota at Philadelphia

The top receiver for Minnesota for the game, WR Lucky Jackson (Defenders) started and had four catches for 53 yards. His first catch was a receiver screen on the first drive. He couldn’t get a second foot down on a 29-yard pass to him in the end zone. Later, he had a great catch, pinning the ball against the head of CB Eli Ricks in between his arms. On the same drive, Jackson drew a pass interference on a deep ball down the sideline to put the ball inside the 20. There was a similar play where he was unable to get two feet down in bounds in the end zone, failing once again to drag his other foot. Jackson played all game, 96% of the snaps.

QB Matt Corral (Stallions) relived starter Jalen Hall on the second drive of the second half. Though he quarterbacked the rest of the game, he threw just six total passes, completing four, for 13 yards. WR Justin Hall (Roughnecks) split wide starting in the second quarter. He was open in the end zone but Jaren Hall was hit and the ball sailed over his head. On the next play, they went back to him on a crossing route from four yards out and he scored, beating LB Brandon Smith in a mismatch. Two receptions for 24 yards and 55% of snaps was Hall’s line.

Filling depth on the offensive line, OL Chuck Filiaga (Brahmas) played the entirety of the second half at right guard. That accounted for 41% of the snaps. DE Jalen Redmond (Renegades) came on late in the first drive, forcing and recovering a fumble of RB Tyrion Davis-Price. He made a 3rd-and-1 run stop with under two minutes remaining, positioning the back so he couldn’t reach the ball across the line for a first down. Redmond added a pass defensed and three tackles in 49% of the snaps

Philadelphia’s lone spring football representative WR Austin Watkins (Stallions), played 52% of the snaps and saw one target.

Tennessee at New Orleans

LB Mikel Jones (Defenders) signed late into the UFL season with DC and late in the preseason with Tennessee. Here, Jones finished second on the team with four tackles in 51% of defensive snaps. On the New Orleans side, LB Mike Rose (Battlehawks) started and the Saints defense played against Titans starters on the first few drives. Rose did a good job sniffing out a reverse even though he didn’t get the tackle. In the second half, he got great penetration into the backfield, fitting between two pulling offensive linemen to make a tackle. The Saints game announcer noted about Rose, “he’s been showing up on film.” He played 48% of snaps on defense, 44% on special teams. He made four tackles on the evening.

Both DE Niko Lalos (Sea Dragons) and DT Jack Heflin (Roughnecks) played against the Titans starters, rotating in on the first drive. Lalos had one tackle but played a game-high 87% of defensive snaps. Heflin saw more success, nearly getting a sack after being the left guard one-on-one, but he ended up not being able to wrap up. Heflin played a lot as well: 72% of snaps, in fact. He tallied six tackles.

Coming oh-so-close to a play for the ages, WR Samson Nacua (Panthers) was stationed in the end zone on a half-ending 58-yard field goal attempt by the Titans. The kick fell short and into his arms, and he raced all the way back to the three-yard line, a 106-yard return with nothing to show for it. Nacua played 30% of the offensive snaps – that return was his only special teams snap.

WR Kevin Austin, Jr. (Stallions) saw action on the second drive with some starters. His only target resulted in a big drop over the middle in the fourth quarter. He played 43% of offensive snaps, 44% on special teams.

Arizona at Denver

After sitting last game, CB Delonte Hood (Renegades) finally saw game action. He was part of what appeared to be a miscommunication on the back end that led to a 37-yard throw down to the one-yard line late in the third quarter. Hood had one assisted tackle on 27% of defensive snaps (22% on special teams).

TE Sage Surratt (Showboats) was in during the second half. He caught a pass inside the 10-yard line on the first drive of the second half. He injured his knee a play later and went into the blue tent. Because of this, Surratt played only four snaps.

On defense as early as the second quarter, the UFL Special Teams Player of the Year, LB Chris Garrett (Battlehawks), made a big stop in the backfield for a loss in rushing off the edge. It was one of two tackles he made in 23% of defensive snaps. DL T.J. Carter (Panthers) jumped offsides near the goal-line in second quarter, then was guilty of unnecessary roughness late in the third. He added two tackles in 58% of the snaps.

WR Michael Bandy (Roughnecks) handled all punt returns for the Broncos, totaling three for 15 yards. QB Zach Wilson went to him in the end zone, but a defender knocked it out of his hands. He had a nice catch and run of 17 yards late in the third. Bandy contributed two receptions for 26 yards, playing 33% of snaps on offense.

It was a full game for DE Dondrea Tillman (Stallions), seeing action on 74% of defensive snaps and another 41% on special teams. He had a big play on kick coverage, sticking the returner on a first quarter return. He appeared on D midway through the second quarter. In a two minute situation in the first half, he got his paws up to knock down a pass at the line. He tipped another pass in the fourth quarter from the four-yard line that would’ve been complete for a TD had he not knocked it down. Tillman did a good job staying at home on an RPO, tackling QB Desmond Ridder for a two-yard loss when he kept the ball. Later in that fourth quarter drive, he was flagged for roughing the passer for hitting Ridder high after he released the pass. It was a hit that ended up knocking Ridder out of the game due to injury. Tillman had five tackles, two for loss, two passes defensed, and a special teams tackle.

Yet another spring football long snapper, LS Mitchell Fraboni (Maulers) was flawless in his long snapping.

New England at Washington

DT Jeremiah Pharms (Maulers) started and had the chance to play alongside some first-teamers. Pharms played the entire game, in on three tackles while participating in 46% of the snaps. At times, he lined up next to DT Josiah Bronson (Showboats), who played 49% of the snaps, predominantly in the second half. Bronson made one tackle during that time.

Elsewhere on defense, S AJ Thomas (Stallions) did not show up on the stat sheet, even though he played 30% of defensive snaps and 33% on special teams. LS Tucker Addington (Gamblers) snapped on punts in the second half. TE La’Michael Pettway (Stallions) was in on the second drive of the game as he was one of only three active tight ends. He blocked two players at once on a Drake Maye scramble for a first down. Pettway played 42% of the snaps and had just one target come his way.

G Liam Fornadel (Defenders) was inserted into the lineup at left guard on the first drive of the fourth quarter. He played 34% of snaps. On the Commanders side, WR Davion Davis (Stallions) had a quiet second half, seeing snaps on 27% of offensive plays. WR Martavis Bryant (Vegas Vipers) played late in the fourth and scored a TD on a four-yard slant late in the game. He accepted congratulations from many on the sidelines, showing they understood how hard he’s worked to get back to this point. Bryant had three catches for 20 yards on 38% of snaps. OT Alex Taylor (Stallions) started at left tackle and was on the field for 65% of snaps, playing late into the third quarter.