Players to Watch: 2025 Friday Night Frisbee


February 4, 2025
By Daniel Cohen

The first glimpse of a 2025 schedule and I already can’t wait for this season. The "Friday Night Frisbee" slate features loads of rivalry games, never-before-seen interdivisional showdowns, and of course, countless All-UFA level talents looking to make statements for their teams.

Lukas Ambrose, Seattle Cascades

There’s not a more explosive defensive playmaker in the game right now than Lukas Ambrose, and we’re lucky enough to get to see him twice on this year’s Friday Night Frisbee slate. Seattle shocked the league last year after overcoming Oakland, Colorado, and Salt Lake to make their first Championship Weekend appearance since 2016, and it’s no coincidence that they accomplished this feat in Ambrose’s first year with the team. The 2024 Defensive Player of the Year played out of his mind last year, flying around the field and routinely leaving his feet to earn countless blocks, not to mention showcasing a much-improved offensive game as both a thrower and receiver. The first player in league history to lead the league in blocks back-to-back seasons, Ambrose will look for the personal three-peat as he sets the tone for another dominant year for Seattle’s defense. 

Jeff Babbitt, Boston Glory

Mark your calendars for May 16, 2025 when New York travels to Boston for their first meeting since Jeff Babbitt beat the buzzer to send Glory to the East Division Championship Game this past July; New York was eliminated from the playoffs and failed to make it to Championship Weekend for the first time since 2017. The two-time reigning MVP and former New York Empire star changed the narrative in the East last season after signing with Boston and leading Glory to their first ever playoff win, cathartically taking down his former team in thrilling fashion. The best jump ball athlete in the league, Babbitt’s dominance as a downfield receiver, defensive playmaker, and clutch performer is unmatched, and we should see that extra edge come out in every meeting with New York, as we saw last year. Simply put: Revenge games are the best.

Brett Hulsmeyer, Atlanta Hustle (Pictured)

Last year’s second runner-up in the MVP race, Brett Hulsmeyer has developed into one of the most dominant offensive players in the league for the Atlanta Hustle. The 6’5” hybrid can attack defenses in a variety of ways whether he’s running give-and-gos from the backfield or posterizing opponents in the deep space. He’s capable of taking over any possession—or game, for that matter—at a moment’s notice; he eclipsed the 700-yard mark three separate times last year and set a new career-high in offensive points played. His first of two games on Friday Night Frisbee this year will be a matchup with the reigning champs in Minnesota, a first-ever interdivisional clash between the Hustle and Wind Chill. Hulsmeyer averaged six scores and over 430 yards per game in three interdivisional meetings last season.

Pawel Janas, Chicago Union

After a two-year stint in LA, Pawel Janas is back where it all began in Chicago to help lead a Union team seeking their first UFA title. From a statistical standpoint, Janas is the best thrower in league history and it’s not particularly close. The Assist King is the only player with over 500 career assists—nearly 100 more than the next closest player—and he also ranks first all-time in career completions with over 1,500 more than the next closest player (5,338 total). While Pawel is the headliner of several key additions this offseason for the Union, and there’s plenty of warranted hype and optimism, it still could take some time before the pieces fully fall into place and lineups are optimized. That could be the case by July 4, when Chicago hosts reigning champion Minnesota in a late-season game sure to carry major playoff implications.

Jordan Kerr, Salt Lake Shred

A near-MVP selection in 2022 and 2023, Jordan Kerr fought through an injury in 2024 but is expected (by me) to be back to his old self in 2025. Kerr got off to a hot start last season before injuring his hand; he was on pace for 66 scores in the regular season (would have ranked top 10 for 2025) and had committed just three throwaways through his first six games. It’s clear what he’s capable of when fully healthy—his quick-trigger flick, red zone accuracy, and downfield cutting led him to claim the league scoring crown in both 2022 and 2023—and it became equally clear last season how much the Shred offense needs him to reach their potential. Salt Lake’s Friday Night Frisbee schedule might be the most exciting of any team on the slate: Kerr vs. reigning DPOY Ambrose in Week 5, Colorado vs. Salt Lake rivalry game in Week 12, and a rematch of the 2023 overtime semifinal with reigning champion Minnesota in Week 13. Get your popcorn ready.

James Pollard, Minnesota Wind Chill

The Minnesota Wind Chill made the first splashy signing of the offseason back in November when they announced the addition of former Philadelphia Phoenix star and 2022 Most Improved Player James Pollard. The 6’5” former college tennis player has massive range on his backhand and was deployed in a variety of roles for the Phoenix over the years, from pulling specialist to offensive focal point to D-line playmaker and counterpuncher. Pollard’s explosiveness as both a thrower and receiver feels like the perfect fit for a Minnesota D-line that looks to strike fast after turnovers, and having another tall, ranging, safety-like downfield defender gives the Wind Chill yet another block generator—Minnesota has finished top-three in blocks per game each of the last five seasons. The Wind Chill are scheduled for a league-high four Friday Night Frisbee games this season, giving us plenty of opportunities to see Pollard shine in his new threads.

Jack Williams, New York Empire

Often considered the best ultimate frisbee player in the world, Jack Williams will look to get the Empire dynasty back on track following a disappointing 2024 season. The Empire suffered several key losses last year, none more notable than the departure of two former MVPs in Jeff Babbitt and Ryan Osgar, which led to Williams taking on more of a central role week in and week out in 2024. His impact is as clear as any player in the league when he’s on the field, and he’s one of the most adaptable offensive players the sport has ever seen; there’s just no way for a single defender to match his combination of speed, quickness, field awareness, throwing ability, and downfield playmaking. Despite their struggles, the Empire still managed the second most efficient offense in the league with Williams at the helm, and they’re going to be back with a vengeance this year. In addition to a fun cross-divisional opening weekend game against the newest UFA franchise in Vegas, I’m circling their following two Friday Night Frisbee games as must-watch contests between division rivals Boston and DC.