AAF Insider: UFL Championship Preview

All Access Football takes you inside the United Football League Championship with analysis, interviews and predictions.

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The United Football League will hold the 2025 UFL Championship Game, presented by Underdog on Saturday, June 14, at 8pm ET at The Dome at America’s Center in St. Louis. The championship will feature a matchup of the USFL Conference Champion Michigan Panthers against the XFL Conference Champion DC Defenders.

Led by former NFL head coach Mike Nolan, the Panthers defeated the three-time reigning spring league champion Birmingham Stallions 44-29 in convincing fashion. This is a team that leans on the run and stuffs the run better than any franchise in the UFL, while receiving big plays in the aerial attack.

The Defenders made it to the championship game after exacting revenge on the St. Louis Battlehawks, who upended DC week before during the regular season finale. DC can score points in bunches due to a lethal wide receiver corps and a menacing defense that is relentless in pursuit of the quarterback. Head Coach Shannon Harris was named the ‘Buddy Teevens Coach of the Year’ on Thursday, taking over for his predecessor Reggie Barlow, who departed for the Tennessee State job on the verge of training camp, bringing defensive coordinator Gregg Williams along with him. (Photo courtesy: UFL)

The All Access Football UFL Championship preview is below. In case you missed it, we delved into the two general managers (Von Hutchins of DC and Steve Kazor of Michgan) and their journey on how they got here in Wednesday’s, World Famous All Access Football Report.

DC DEFENDERS OFFENSE

Yards: 345.5 (1st) | Passing: 246.5 (1st) | Rushing: 98.9 (5th) | Points: 22.5 (5th)

The DC Defenders had the number one ranked offense, led behind a potent passing attack. DC has had continuity at quarterback, as Jordan Ta'amu (Ole Miss) wrapped up his third consecutive season as the starter, completing 155-of-285 passes (54.4%), for 2,155 passing yards, 17 touchdowns and just four interceptions.

Watch out for wide receiver Chris Rowland (Tennessee State), who was second in the UFL with 522 receiving yards, on 42 catches (12.4 average) and three scores. He gashed the Panthers for 144 receiving yards back in June. DC boasts an electric trio of three amigos at wideout, as Cornell Powell (Clemson) added 29 catches, for 428 receiving yards (14.4 average) and led the UFL with seven touchdowns, while Braylon Sanders (Ole Miss) was the fastest player recorded during the UFL season, clocking in at a top speed of 20.71 mph (vroom).

Overall, the offense owns plenty of speed, as running back Deon Jackson (Duke) also clocked in at 20.62 mph peak in-game speed, gaining 417 rushing yards (5.0 yards per carry) and four touchdowns.

MICHIGAN PANTHERS DEFENSE

Yards: 292.2 (5th) | Passing: 211.2 (8th) | Rushing: 81.0 (1st) | Turnovers: -2 (7th)

The Panthers enjoyed the top-ranked rushing defense but the last-ranked passing defense, a mismatch that Ta’amu will be sure to exploit. The secondary is led by fiery safety Kai Nacua (BYU), who finished the year with 44 tackles (two tackles for loss), four pass breakups and an interception return for a touchdown. In addition, Michigan also possesses safeties Kedrick Whitehead (Delaware), who collected 66 tackles and was named UFL Special Teams Player of the Year, along with Arnold Tarpley (Vanderbilt), who added 60 tackles.

With a loaded ball-hawk secondary quick to shoot the gaps, it’s no surprise that the Panthers allowed a stymie 3.4 yards per carry on the ground. The defensive line features pass rusher Kenny Willekes (Michigan State), who finished with six tackles for loss, including three and a half sacks.

One other player worth noting on defense would be cornerback DJ Miller (Kent State) who will have his hands full attempting to cover the DC big-play targets. On the season, Miller had nine pass breakups and two interceptions, making several momentum-changing plays along the way.

QB HUDDLE: DC HC SHANNON HARRIS

Allow us to introduce you to QB Huddle Podcast, now syndicated on AAF. QB Huddle features headlines, insights, updates and debates on ALL things quarterbacks from the world of football. In this new episode, Defenders head coach Shannon Harris joins the show to provide a glimpse into his game plan, leadership style and unwavering belief in his players.

Packed with energy, emotion and strategic insight, this conversation highlights his journey from assistant coach to the championship spotlight, offering fans a behind-the-scenes look at his leadership and the final push towards ultimate UFL glory! We are excited to welcome QB Huddle with two claps and a Ric Flair, “WOOOOO!”

MICHIGAN PANTHERS OFFENSE

Yards: 320.9 (2nd) | Passing: 193.0 (4th) | Rushing: 127.9 (2nd) | Points: 24.5 (1st)

Named the UFL Offensive Player of the Year, Michigan dual-threat quarterback Bryce Perkins (Virginia) played well enough to deserve a look-see once again at the NFL level. On the year, Perkins completed 109-of-158 passes (69%), for 1,342 passing yards, nine touchdowns and two interceptions, while adding 269 rushing yards, plus five scores via the ground. Expect to see the dynamic signal-caller in an NFL training camp come August.

Meanwhile, look for Perkins to target Siaosi Mariner (Utah) early and often in this matchup. The UFL leading receiver, Mariner hauled in 31 catches, for 528 receiving yards (17.0 average) and one touchdown. While Mariner is a deep threat who can stretch the field, his counterpart Malik Turner (Illinois) works the underneath part of the field as a true possession threat. He finished with 40 receptions, for 365 yards (9.1 average) and four touchdowns.

The Panthers own a two-headed backfield tandem that can move the chains. A steady dose of Nate McCrary (Saginaw Valley State) and Toa Taua (Nevada) is to be expected. For McCrary, he gained 380 yards on 97 carries (3.9 average) and two scores, while Taua compiled 357 yards on 81 carries (4.4 average), leading the league with six rushing touchdowns and proving to be the most effective short-yardage runner in the league.

DC DEFENDERS DEFENSE

Yards: 295.8 (6th) | Passing: 178.0 (5th) | Rushing: 117.8 (5th) | Turnovers: +5 (2nd)

The elusiveness of Perkins is sure to come in handy against a DC defense that shows no mercy in getting after the quarterback. Several players should garner NFL attention after the big game, beginning with Andre Mintze (Vanderbilt), who had 15 tackles, including six tackles for loss, five and a half sacks, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries this season.

In addition, DC boasts the Sam Houston State tandem of Derick Roberson and Joe Wallace. Lining up opposite of Mintze, the well-built Roberson lended 37 tackles, including nine tackles for loss, plus five and a half sacks on the edge, while Wallace added another 10 tackles for loss from the interior.

On the second level, linebacker Anthony Hines (Texas A&M) totaled 55 tackles and three sacks. Safety Deontay Anderson (Houston) serves as the last line of defense, as he registered 41 tackles on the year but the most impressive player on defense all year may have been Deandre Baker (Georgia). Aside from a few bonehead penalties, Baker proved to be a lockdown corner with 10 pass breakups and two interceptions. The former All-American, Thorpe Award Winner and first round pick of the New York Giants is almost certain to receive another NFL opportunity due to his performance.

SCOUTING THE LEAGUE: DC GM VON HUTCHINS

All Access Football welcomes Scouting The League to the network. One of the most well-respected football industry professionals, Neil Stratton partners with former NFL scout Rodrick David to bring you Inside The League with Scouting The League. A show dedicated to scouting, analytics, salary cap, speed training and so much more, Scouting The League will be a regular part of the rotation here at AAF. If you want to know ball, this is the podcast for you!

In this episode, Defenders general manager Von Hutchins sits down to discuss his vision for constructing the DC team, what traits he sought after when identifying players who would fit their scheme, his journey from player, to scout and now GM, plus loads of insight on talent evaluation.

UFL CHAMPIONSHIP: SPECIAL TEAMS

The aforementioned Roland is the X-factor in this game for the Defenders. He led the UFL with 1,070 all-purpose yards and is an added bonus, as he can flip the field with the best of them. However, one underlining storyline worth keeping an eye on is his propensity to put the ball on the carpet.

In terms of overall effectiveness, the Panthers might have the best two kick returners in the league as both Devin Ross (27.6 kick return average) and Xavier Malone (687 all-purpose yards) were amongst the league leaders.

Michigan kicker BT Potter (Clemson) was shaky this past year, stepping in for the departed Jake Bates (Arkansas), who signed with the Detroit Lions. In 2025, Potter was 11-of-16 overall (68.8%) but just 5-of-10 from beyond 40 yards with one blocked kick. DC kicker Matt McCrane (Kansas State)didn’t fare much better this year, hitting on 14-of-20 field goal attempts (70%) but was also just 5-of-10 from beyond 40, with one kick blocked.

UFL CHAMPIONSHIP PREDICTION

Michigan Panthers -3.5 (o/u 50) DC Defenders

It’s a bit of a surprise to see