The United Football League (UFL) continued its national talent search with an impressive turnout at its Dallas-Fort Worth Player Showcase, held Sunday, October 12, at Choctaw Stadium in Arlington. The event, which marked the league’s third showcase of the 2025 season, drew 245 athletes from across the country, all eager to earn an opportunity to join one of the league’s eight franchises for the upcoming season.

Scouting the Next Wave of Professional Talent

The atmosphere in Arlington reflected the hunger and intensity of athletes chasing professional dreams. Under clear Texas skies, players participated in a full day of testing and positional drills, showcasing their speed, strength, agility, and football IQ in front of UFL coaches, team scouts, and league front office executives.

The event was open to a wide range of talent — from recent college graduates and small-school standouts to former NFL, CFL, and XFL players looking for another shot at the pros.

“The showcase is where opportunity meets preparation,” said UFL Director of Player Personnel Mark Lillibridge. “We’ve already seen several players from these events earn training camp invites and roster spots. The competition in Dallas was intense, and the level of talent keeps getting better every stop.”

Lillibridge, a longtime scout and personnel executive, noted that the Dallas area continues to be a hotbed for football development, producing both elite collegiate talent and overlooked athletes hungry for another chance.

A Platform for Opportunity

The UFL’s Player Showcase series serves as a critical pipeline for player recruitment and development, reinforcing the league’s mission of sustainability and accessibility in professional football. Each showcase features a structured evaluation format, including measurable combine-style testing, one-on-one matchups, and live positional competition.

Participants are evaluated on physical metrics such as 40-yard dash times, broad jumps, and shuttle runs, followed by skill-specific drills tailored to each position group — from quarterbacks demonstrating arm strength and accuracy to linemen proving power and technique in the trenches.

“This league has become the bridge between college and the NFL,” said former UFL standout De’Veon Smith, who attended the event as a mentor. “I’ve seen firsthand how these showcases can change lives. If you perform, people notice — and that’s what this is all about.”

The Dallas event drew representation from multiple franchises, including staff from the Dallas Renegades, Houston Gamblers, and St. Louis Battlehawks, who spent the afternoon evaluating prospective talent and holding informal interviews with select athletes.

Upcoming Showcase Schedule

With the Dallas stop now complete, the UFL will shift its attention to the remaining showcase events across the country — culminating in a specialist-only camp in San Diego and additional regional stops in Florida, Arizona, Texas, and California.

UFL 2025 Showcase Schedule (Remaining Dates):

• San Diego, CA (Specialist Showcase) – Sunday, October 19 | Maranatha Christian School

• Orlando, FL – Sunday, October 26 | Celebration High School

• Phoenix, AZ – Sunday, November 9 | Temple High School

• Houston, TX – Sunday, November 23 | Husky Stadium

• Los Angeles, CA – Sunday, December 7 | Peninsula High School

Registration for all remaining showcases remains open and can be completed online at www.showcases.theufl.com.

Building Toward 2026

The 2025 showcase circuit represents an important foundation for the UFL’s ongoing expansion efforts. With the recent announcement of new franchises in Columbus, Louisville, and Orlando for the 2026 season, league officials are focused on widening the player pool and giving under-the-radar athletes a legitimate path to professional football.

“This isn’t just about one weekend,” said Lillibridge. “It’s about identifying talent, developing it, and giving players a real chance to continue their careers. We’re building a league that thrives on opportunity, competition, and community.”

As the United Football League continues its growth, events like the Dallas showcase highlight what makes the UFL unique — a league grounded in accessibility, development, and the relentless pursuit of football dreams.

For aspiring athletes, the message from Arlington was clear:
Show up. Compete. Be seen.