UFL update: Ex-Jets RB Jackson named all-UFL, heads to title game

This weekend marked the semi-finals of the UFL, with running back Deon Jackson in the headlines as he tried to lead the DC Defenders to the championship game.

Jackson was the only ex-Jets player named to the all-UFL this season after leading the league with 449 rushing yards and seven rushing touchdowns. This included a game where he had 126 yards from scrimmage and three touchdowns.

Jackson's teammate, Xazavian Valladay - another ex-Jet - was a big part of the Defenders' rushing attack too. He was third in the league in rushing touchdowns with five and also led the league in kickoff return yardage.

The Defenders were pitted against the Orlando Storm in the semi-final; a team with five ex-Jets on their roster. Of those, linebacker Jaylen Mahoney (26 tackles, two passes defensed, one tackle for loss) and defensive tackle Isaiah Mack (24 tackles, six tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks) made solid contributions during the regular season while defensive back Lamar Jackson didn't play much and Samuel Jackson contributed on the offensive line.

Perhaps the Storm's most interesting player, though, is wide receiver Jerome Kapp, who famously went viral with his Eminem impersonation on Hard Knocks a few years ago. Kapp only caught five passes but he's a special teams demon as he showed here:

Kapp, who leads the league in special teams tackles, also blocked a punt through the end zone for a safety. He is a legit gunner and you can read more about him here.

Also at the running back position, another ex-Jet James Robinson made an impact as he was first in the league with 50 rushing yards per game and second in yards per carry average. The latter was an unimpressive 3.7 yards per carry though, as the league's rules mean you need 10 carries per game to qualify, ruling out several players including Jackson (4.9). Robinson was also in action in the semi-finals with the Louisville Kings against the St. Louis Battlehawks.

Ex-Jets wide receivers to make an impact included Tarik Black and Isaiah Winstead, also both of the Kings. Black ended up with 27 catches in the regular season for 388 yards and three scores while Winstead had 29 catches, 474 yards and three scores. He was third in the league in yards per catch and second in yards per game.

Quarterback Brandon Silvers, the only ex-Jet to throw a pass this season, hasn't played since our last update. Neither has receiver Deontay Burnett, who ended the year with 14 catches in six games.

On defense, ex-Jets edge rusher Pita Taumoepenu could feel aggrieved at not being named as an all-UFL choice after having 6.5 sacks and nine tackles for loss but the headlines were stolen by Cam Gill, who became the first UFL player ever to have a double-digit season in sacks. Taumoepenu would lead the Battlehawks into their semi-final clash with the Kings, along with ex-Jet defensive backs Luq Barcoo and Trey Dean III.

Linebacker Anthony Hines was productive with 52 tackles and three tackles for loss but not many other ex-Jets made an impact. Bryce Hall and Mario Goodrich each had a pick-six, though. Hall was also in action this weekend with the Kings.

The Jets are no doubt watching the kicker position closely, having signed Harrison Mevis via this route last year. Ex-Jet Anders Carlson missed three of his nine field goal attempts but Tanner Brown made 89 percent and Tucker McCann made 10 of 11. Brown and Matt McCrane each made a 60-yarder but McCrane missed eight field goals.

So, how did those semi-final games turn out - and did any of the former Jets play a key role?

DC went on to beat Orlando 28-22 as Jackson opened the scoring with a short touchdown run, although he was held to 33 yards on 12 carries. Valladay was actually more productive with 48 yards on nine touches, although he also muffed a punt.

Hines had three tackles for DC and Mack matched that on the top-seeded Orlando, but the ex-Jets didn't otherwise contribute. Interestingly, McCrane had one of the most significant contributions with a four-point field goal from 61 yards late in the game to help clinch DC's win.

In the other semi-final, the opening touchdown was again scored by an ex-Jet as Robinson broke away for this 53-yard score.

However, he was held in check from that point onwards. His other six carries netted negative yardage.

The Kings had more success passing the ball with both Black and Winstead making contributions. Black had the better first half with 40 yards on four touches but Winstead had a big 54 yard catch in the second half and then scored the go-ahead touchdown on a nine-yard catch late in the third. He ended up with a team-high 66 yards on three catches.

On the Battlehawks, Taumoepenu had another half-sack and Dean was leading them in tackles deep into the second half, ending up with four.

Brown also nailed a 60-yard field goal and a 63-yarder for four points each to steal the show as the Kings held on to win 29-20.