2026 UFL Energy Rankings | FOX Sports activities

[ad_1] Newly minted St. Louis Battlehawks coach Ricky Proehl took his seat earlier than a ready microphone inside The Dome on the America’s Heart following his crew’s win in opposition to the defending champion DC Defenders on Saturday and mirrored on his lived expertise as a head coach. There are just a few of us who bear in mind he was a participant first.

I bear in mind he performed 17 seasons within the NFL and spent two of these rating first in receiving yards per sport as a St. Louis Ram. 4 of his years within the NFL have been with the Rams, and I bear in mind when he retired in 2006 — the yr I graduated from highschool — at age 38, which was then an unfathomable age to play vast receiver within the NFL.

Twenty years later, Proehl stood on the sideline in St. Louis once more in a capability maybe he may’ve foreseen. At 58, he made clear what it meant to be in entrance of that microphone as head coach of knowledgeable soccer crew in a metropolis that he loves and referred to as dwelling as a participant.

"I’ve had, in 1999, what was probably the most memorable experiences of my life," Proehl mentioned. "At this time was proper up there with that one. This was a particular second for me as a head coach — a first-time head coach — to get a win on this Dome with my crew was particular. It was emotional for me."

This is only one of many distinctive tales the UFL has facilitated. There are extra — so, so many extra — and we get to witness them for the following 9 weeks of the common season. The scoreboard issues too, and the league will crown a champion at spring’s finish.

Here is a take a look at my first energy rankings checklist of the season:

Week 1 outcomes: Misplaced to Renegades, 36-17Current odds to win 2026 title: +4000

Quarterback Nolan Henderson had a day to neglect that began with a three-and-out, adopted by an interception returned for a landing, one other interception and one other three-and-out earlier than receiving the hook from head coach Kevin Sumlin in favor of former Iowa State signal-caller Hunter Dekkers.

Dekkers performed admirably in reduction, going 19-for-29 for 227 yards. That ought to give Houston a little bit of optimistic momentum going into Week 2. Kicker Colton Theaker additionally recorded his first subject aim in 5 years — a 51-yarder.

Week 1 outcomes: Misplaced to Stallions, 15-13Current odds to win 2026 title: +1800

It was an excellent begin for the Kings — one of many league's latest groups — however quarterback Jason Bean ended with an unlucky turnover in entrance of a sellout crowd. Bean completed 14-for-27 for 227 yards with one goofy interception — tight finish bobbled the ball 5 occasions, together with as soon as off his head, earlier than the ball landed within the arms of a Birmingham defender — and one egregious interception to finish the sport. I can’t assist however assume the Kings deserved a greater end result, but it surely’s exhausting to justify that when the offense converts only one time in 4 journeys inside their opponents’ 20-yard line.

Week 1 outcomes: Misplaced to Battlehawks, 16-10Current odds to win 2026 title: +500

The defending champions opened with a loss, and that was definitely sudden. Quarterback Jordan Ta’amu struggled to remain upright; he was sacked seven occasions. When he did have time, he was harried — and it confirmed. The 2025 UFL Championship Sport MVP accomplished simply 9 of 16 passes for 123 yards with two interceptions in opposition to a Battlehawks protection that was insatiable. Twelve penalties assessed in opposition to the Defenders did them no favors both. Nevertheless, Ta’amu went 4-for-4 for 67 yards on a 10-play drive that amounted to DC's solely landing of the sport.

Elsewhere, kicker Matt McCrane confirmed his leg with the primary 60-yard subject aim of the season — and the primary in UFL historical past — which gave the Defenders a 4-0 result in begin the sport.

Week 1 outcomes: Misplaced to Storm, 23-16Current odds to win 2026 title: +1000

In his first begin for the Aviators, quarterback Jalan McClendon performed admirably with 242 whole yards. The Aviators' dashing assault was good when it received going, averaging 5.5 yards per carry for 120 yards. Linebacker Fred Thompkins is a official playmaker for head coach Ted Ginn’s squad. He recorded 10 tackles and a cross breakup within the loss.

Week 1 outcomes: Defeated Aviators, 23-16Current odds to win 2026 title: +650

The Storm began off with a bang, making a turnover on the opening kickoff by forcing and recovering a fumble to steal a place early. Quarterback Jack Plummer was a magician at moments within the sport with feats of escape to rival Houdini within the pocket. Plummer completed 17-for-22 passes for 240 passing yards and a landing.

Storm receiver Elijhah Badger caught 4 passes for 127 yards, however operating again Jashaun Corbin loved his day most with two dashing touchdowns alongside his 66 yards on the bottom within the win.

Week 1 outcomes: Defeated Kings, 15-13Current odds to win 2026 title: +275

When the Stallions wanted clutch play, quarterback Matt Corral stepped as much as lead what ended up being the game-winning drive deep within the fourth quarter of a sport that regarded prefer it had slipped away from Birmingham regardless of three takeaways by its protection. With roughly eight minutes left, Corral led a 13-play, 66-yard drive to provide the Stallions a 15-13 lead. A deep cross that regarded much less like a dart and extra like a fifth grader tossing the ball deep into the air and yelling "jackpot!" landed within the ready palms of security Hudson Clark, who caught the cross like a can of corn fly ball to centerfield.

A win is a win for former Alabama star and present Stallions head coach AJ McCarron, although, who has entered into probably the most profitable spring soccer franchise with a win in Week 1. He’s received a budding star in vast receiver Jaydon Mickens to indicate for it, too. Whereas Corral completed 21-for-30 passes for 208 yards, Mickens caught 9 of these passes for 103 yards and the Stallions’ solely landing.

Birmingham Stallions vs. Louisville Kings Highlights 🏈 UFL on FOX Week 1 outcomes: Defeated Defenders, 16-10Current odds to win 2026 title: +500

St. Louis introduced protection to The Dome on Saturday. The Battlehawks' protection held the Defenders to only 10 factors and 153 yards, and it sacked DC's quarterback seven occasions and compelled two turnovers. Linebacker Pita Taumoepena, the 2025 UFL Defensive Participant of the 12 months, picked up 2.5 of these sacks within the first half.

St. Louis followers can discover pleasure within the prowess of the Battlehawks' protection whereas figuring out the offense nonetheless wants work after changing simply certainly one of 4 red-zone makes an attempt. Whereas the Battlehawks struggled to show nice subject place into factors, they performed principally clear soccer, with only one penalty accepted within the sport.

Week 1 outcomes: Defeated Gamblers, 36-17Current odds to win 2026 title: +275

In his debut for the Renegades, quarterback Austin Reed wasted no time etching his identify within the UFL file books with one of the best single-game passing efficiency within the league’s historical past: 26-for-40 for 376 yards, three passing touchdowns and nil interceptions.

Vast receivers Tyler Vaughns (144) and Greg Ward (93) mixed for 10 catches, 237 yards and a landing apiece in a superb exhibiting for Renegades head coach Rick Neuheisel in his debut. Now the Renegades must combat restlessness and rustiness with a 10-day break earlier than taking part in the Battlehawks on Tuesday, April 7.