2026 UFL Power Rankings: Renegades, Battlehawks Leading After Week 1

FOX Sports' RJ Young reveals his UFL Power Rankings after Week 1, with the Renegades on top and the Gamblers at the bottom.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 7:53pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A fractured, geometric painting depicting a UFL football game, with the players and field broken down into overlapping planes of vibrant colors and shapes, capturing the dynamic energy of the sport.The UFL's opening week showcased the league's unique blend of veteran talent, young stars, and emotional storylines, all captured in a cubist-inspired illustration.Louisville Today

Newly minted St. Louis Battlehawks coach Ricky Proehl reflected on his first win as a head coach in the UFL, while the defending champion DC Defenders suffered an unexpected loss. The Dallas Renegades and their quarterback Austin Reed made history with the best single-game passing performance in league history.

Why it matters

The UFL is in its second season, and the power rankings after Week 1 provide an early look at which teams are emerging as contenders and which are struggling out of the gate. The unique stories of players-turned-coaches like Ricky Proehl add to the intrigue of the young league.

The details

In the Battlehawks' win over the Defenders, linebacker Pita Taumoepena had 2.5 sacks in the first half, while the Battlehawks' offense struggled to capitalize on good field position. The Renegades' Austin Reed set a UFL record with 376 passing yards, 3 touchdowns, and 0 interceptions in their win over the Gamblers. The Kings nearly upset the Stallions, but a late turnover by quarterback Jason Bean sealed the loss.

  • On Saturday, the Battlehawks defeated the Defenders 16-10 in St. Louis.
  • Also on Saturday, the Renegades defeated the Gamblers 36-17 in Dallas.

The players

Ricky Proehl

The head coach of the St. Louis Battlehawks, who previously played 17 seasons in the NFL as a wide receiver.

Austin Reed

The quarterback for the Dallas Renegades, who set a UFL record with 376 passing yards, 3 touchdowns, and 0 interceptions in Week 1.

Pita Taumoepena

The linebacker for the St. Louis Battlehawks, who had 2.5 sacks in the first half of their win over the Defenders.

Jason Bean

The quarterback for the Louisville Kings, who had a late turnover that sealed their loss to the Birmingham Stallions.

Jordan Ta'amu

The quarterback for the DC Defenders, who struggled in their loss to the Battlehawks, completing just 9 of 16 passes for 123 yards with 2 interceptions.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“I've had, in 1999, what was one of the most memorable experiences of my life. Today was right up there with that one. This was a special moment for me as a head coach — a first-time head coach — to get a win in this Dome with my team was special. It was emotional for me.”

— Ricky Proehl, Head Coach, St. Louis Battlehawks

What’s next

The Renegades will have a 10-day break before facing the Battlehawks on Tuesday, April 7, in a matchup of the two teams atop the power rankings after Week 1.

The takeaway

The UFL's second season is off to an exciting start, with the Renegades and Battlehawks emerging as early contenders and the defending champion Defenders suffering an unexpected loss. The league's unique stories, like Ricky Proehl's emotional head coaching debut, add to the intrigue of the young league.