Listing The 50 Stars Of The 2026 Season

April 7, 2026
By Evan Lepler

For years, we’ve tossed around the term ‘star’ like it’s a random frisbee at casual Friday pickup. We’ve got superstars, future stars, and ‘stars in their roles,’ while coaches walk a fine line between recruiting stars and subjugating their stature in the name of teamwork. Meanwhile, teammates often try to elevate the perceived star power of the roster’s second tier.

But what does it truly mean to be an ultimate frisbee star? 

Clearly, it’s a combination of skills and swagger, confidence and courage, personality and presence, on and off the field. It blends perception and reality, propelled by performance and occasionally enhanced by savvy marketing. And it’s also undeniably about situation and statistics. For better or worse, it’s easier to recognize and salute a star that compiles big numbers, creating a world where offensive production is often valued more than elite defense. At least in the realm of stargazing. 

This offensive bias is not just a frisbee phenomenon. A football team might win the Super Bowl largely because of its defense, but most likely the quarterback will get a lion’s share of the credit. In basketball and hockey, the top scorers are usually more universally revered than the scrappiest defender. Generally, our eyes prioritize watching the ball—or disc or puck—and counting scores is far more common than celebrating stops. 

Of course, from a lifestyle standpoint, ultimate frisbee stardom is different than most other sports. But there’s still a clear hierarchy across the UFA. Some premier players are paid more, or offered perks like flights or lighter attendance expectations. Resources aren’t infinite, but neither are winning players, so managing these dynamics is crucial for successful franchises. Bottom line: it’s virtually impossible to win with unhappy stars, or with no stars at all. 

So who are the current UFA stars? 

I found myself pondering this question and aspired to craft a framework that would answer it. But precisely defining frisbee stardom in a singular fashion is not so simple. Statistics, victories, and titles are absolutely part of the equation, but there’s also an unquantifiable element. How a player carries themself, on and off the field, can brighten or dim their star status. Some seek the spotlight; others shy away from it. There’s no obligation for any ultimate player to pursue stardom, yet some inevitably will. And there are players who become stars despite resisting the label, while others might chase it without ever quite arriving. 

Heading into the 2026 season, I count 50 players that I currently consider to be stars in the UFA. There’s a handful of others that I view as fringe stars, and a bunch more that are future stars.

I did not begin this exercise aiming for such a round number, but that’s just the way it landed. If Rowan McDonnell decides to sign somewhere before opening day, for instance, I’m not bumping someone else off the list to keep it at 50. Once you are a star, you are always a star. And this axiom also applies to players who may be at or near the tail-end of their careers. If they were once a star, they retain that stature even if their peak athletic days might be behind them. 

Inevitably, some scrollers will disagree with my designations, and that’s totally fine. My perceptions can be different than yours, and I’m not claiming to be 100 percent right. But I do believe I have a pretty good foundation, shaped by years of watching and countless conversations with coaches and players across the league. 

Not to sound like Stephen A. Smith, but I’m ready to embrace the debate. And I’m very open to being convinced that I’m wrong. 

So with all that as a preamble, here’s the definitive Lepler list of stars in the UFA. 

Players are ordered alphabetically by last name. 

Lukas Ambrose, Minnesota Wind Chill

Even though he’ll be suiting up for this third different franchise in four UFA seasons here in 2026, Lukas Ambrose, who turned 27 this past Friday, has cemented himself as a premier defensive playmaker. Since he debuted in 2023, he’s produced 71 blocks, more than any other player in the league, and he was named the Defensive Player of the Year and MVP runner-up in 2024. 

Alex Atkins, New York Empire

After four seasons with Colorado, Alex Atkins will make his New York debut on Friday Night Frisbee on May 1. Although an injury limited him to just four games in 2025, he was First Team All-UFA in 2024, and few players have more natural tools, talent, and on-field enthusiasm. If he meshes well with his Empire teammates, the best season of his career beckons. 

Malik Auger-Semmar, Montreal Royal

A member of Canada’s silver-medal World Games squad from last summer, Malik Auger-Semmar returns to the Royal this season for the first time since 2023. It’s a massive signing for Montreal, as the 28-year-old Auger-Semmar has blossomed into one of the planet’s premier cutters in recent years. 

Jeff Babbitt, Boston Glory

A four-time champion and two-time MVP, Jeff Babbitt is in position to chase ultimate immortality in 2026. That is: depending on how much he plays. Sources have indicated that due to lingering injuries and various other life circumstances, Babbitt is uncertain about his status for the upcoming season. Teammates think it’s more likely than not that he’ll eventually decide to return, but Babbitt’s refrained from commenting, suggesting that things are still up in the air. Obviously, his departure, if it happened, would be seismic news for the Glory, the East Division, and the entire UFA.

Quentin Bonnaud, Montreal Royal

One of the first impact international imports to make his mark in the league, Quentin Bonnaud continues to be a steady and relentless cutter for Montreal. In fact, since 2017, no individual has scored more goals in a single season than Bonnaud, the speedy Frenchman who caught 83 in 2019. He’s poised to cross over the 300-goal plateau in 2026, a feat only previously achieved by eight players in UFA history. 

Christian Boxley, DC Breeze

Less than a week from his 30th birthday, Christian Boxley is someone that’s consistently popped up in ‘best frisbee player in the world’ conversations over the past half-decade. An explosive cutter, fierce defender, and efficient thrower, Boxley is an ideal player to build a roster around. My question heading into 2026: does he have even another gear to really put the Breeze on his back? With Boston at the top, New York rising again, and everyone else in the East determined to step up, it’s hard to fathom DC being back in the UFA quarterfinals for the sixth straight season unless Boxley is truly special this summer. 

Will Brandt, Minnesota Wind Chill

When Will Brandt made his UFA debut as a Twin Cities teenager, he was blessed with size, skill, and obvious star potential. By the time he donned the Championship Weekend MVP chain in 2024, he had clearly blossomed into an anchor for the Wind Chill offense, capable of taking and making the big throws in the biggest games. Now, he’s still just 24 years old and arguably surrounded by more talented teammates than ever before. Consequently, it’d be quite surprising if Brandt isn’t back at Champ Weekend orchestrating the Chill attack again this coming August. 

Cameron Brock, Indianapolis AlleyCats

A polarizing player, Cameron Brock will be a fascinating case study when frisbee fans debate the quality of his career in the decades to come. His longevity is admirable, his goal-scoring brilliance is astonishing, and—especially for the last two-thirds of his career—he’s always carried himself like a star, with unwavering belief and confidence in his own abilities. He’s also never been the best player on his own team. Despite that, he’s a UFA legend who could cross over 700 goals in 2026 at 36 years old. (For perspective, Ben Jagt might be the only other player to even surpass 500 by the end of this decade!) 

Tobias Brooks, Carolina Flyers

Most of the other top players who are still in college find themselves in the rising stars section, but there’s no doubt Tobias Brooks belongs right here amongst the league’s brightest attractions. He’s just 21 years old, but he’s already accumulated 99 total scores across three seasons, largely as a part-time player. When he debuted for Colorado last May, he threw for six assists, six more hockey assists, and produced 796 throwing yards in a win over Oakland. Since the league started tracking throwing yards, that was the fourth-highest total ever in a victory, and it was the most ever for a player in a victory against a playoff team. And that was in debut. As a 20-year-old. He’s back with Carolina this season, and it seems safe to say that Brooks’ record-breaking journey has only just begun. 

Marques Brownlee, New York Empire

Throughout this decade, Marques Brownlee has always been the world’s most famous frisbee player. That’s not debatable. He’s also been a superb and steady D-line handler during the Empire’s exceptional dynasty. Those two things combined probably already clinched his star status, but earning his way onto the USA World Games team last summer further elevated his profile and strengthened his ultimate legacy. 

Justin Burnett, Minnesota Wind Chill

One of just three players in the league who’s produced double-digit blocks in each of the past four seasons, Justin Burnett raised his game in the 2025 playoffs with seven blocks during Minnesota’s postseason push all the way to the finals. The 2023 Callahan Award winner is now 23 years old and presumably just scratching the surface of his immense abilities. As long as he keeps bringing the mindset of 'always staying hungry,’ Burnett has all the tools to stay on the UFA All-Defense radar for the foreseeable future. 

Orion Cable, Boston Glory

He’s been one of the league’s most imposing big guys ever since he debuted as a 20-year-old in 2021, but Orion Cable truly blossomed into a star last summer at age 24. Nine goals in a dominant performance at Toronto in June. Six more in the title game against Minnesota. Overall, the first 40-goal season of his career. Very likely, it won’t be the last. 

Noah Coolman, Minnesota Wind Chill

In the last four UFA seasons, only one player has produced a 20/20/20 campaign, reaching those milestones in goals, assists, and blocks in the same year. Judging by the placement of this statistical nugget, you’re probably assuming that it was Noah Coolman. You’d be correct. He did it for Colorado last year, then signed with Minnesota in the offseason. It’ll be mighty interesting to see how Coolman impacts winning with the Wind Chill, but it seems fair to expect more huge highlights from one of the sport’s elite leapers. 

Antoine Davis, New York Empire

It’s hard to believe that it was nine years ago when Antoine Davis first broke out as frisbee star, compiling 44 goals, 22 assists, and 26 blocks during San Francisco’s 2017 season, which culminated in a UFA championship. He added two more titles this decade with New York, along with a Defensive Player of the Year and Champ Weekend MVP honors in 2024. He turns 33 in May and had his quietest season last summer, but would you really want to take on Antoine in a footrace tomorrow? Me neither. 

Dylan DeClerck, Minnesota Wind Chill

A D-line grinder for a full decade, Dylan DeClerck has brought the energy, passion, and disc-deflecting ability for the Wind Chill since his 32-goal, 33-block debut season back in 2016. Truthfully, with the way our game has evolved, we may never see another season with comparable numbers ever again. Whether he’s waving a towel to inspire the hometown fans or miraculously snagging a late-game playoff prayer by the sideline, DeClerck’s long had a flair for the dramatic. Along with the style, he’s also got plenty of substance; he currently sits 10th all-time in UFA history with 157 blocks. And he’s still just 30 years old, turning 31 in June. 

Tobe Decraene, Boston Glory

Obviously, the reigning UFA MVP and Championship Weekend MVP shines amongst the league’s brightest stars. And it sure feels appropriate to see his name side-by-side here with his Belgian countryman, Daan De Marrée, who’ll be coming for the East Division crown—and Tobe Decraene’s personal glory—in 2026. It’s a personal rivalry that will help shape the entire league in the years ahead.

Daan De Marrée, New York Empire

The UFA has traditionally factored in postseason contributions in the MVP race. If we followed the format of the NBA or the NFL and voted at the end of the 2025 regular season, it’s very likely that De Marrée, not Decraene, would have received the honor following a perfect regular season with Chicago. Now with New York, De Marrée will seek the postseason success that eluded him with the Union. Is it wrong that I’m already counting down the days to a Decraene vs. De Marrée showdown in the 2026 East Division final? 

Travis Dunn, San Diego Growlers

Ready for a crazy stat? Since the pandemic, Travis Dunn is the only player in the UFA to produce at least 60 scores (goals plus assists) in every season. By the way, he has at least 70 scores in each of these seasons, and his streak of 70-score seasons actually goes back to 2018. Overall, that’s seven straight seasons with at least 70 scores; correspondingly, he’s received All-UFA honors every year during this remarkably consistent run. He’s a future Hall-of-Famer, and even at 35 years old, arguably still the number one option for the Growlers. 

Thomas Edmonds, Boston Glory

If Thomas Edmonds wasn’t already a star before his otherworldly performance for Team Canada in last summer’s World Games, he cemented his frisbee stardom by nearly toppling the United States’ flying disc dynasty in a universe point thriller. The wildly versatile handler left DC and joined Boston this offseason, a huge boost for the Glory—and a bummer for the Breeze. 

Khalif El-Salaam, San Diego Growlers

Even though Khalif El-Salaam never quite fulfilled his goal of becoming the best player in the world, he’s compiled a pretty darn impressive career, making big plays and letting everyone know about it. He’s bounced around the UFA in a somewhat bizarre way—Seattle, then San Diego, then Atlanta, then Seattle again and San Diego again—but aside from the pretty forgettable three-game stint with the Hustle, he’s impacted winning pretty consistently as a leader and playmaker. His performance in the Growlers’ road playoff victory over Austin this past July was an absolute tour de force. 

Jacob Fairfax, Carolina Flyers

We just might see Jacob Fairfax matched up with Khalif El-Salaam in the 2026 season opener on April 24. Fairfax may not have the same outwardly enigmatic personality as El-Salaam, but he simply lets his play do the talking. For some other subdued competitors, that might prevent them from becoming true stars. But Fairfax’s on-field athleticism, along with his longevity and end-of-quarter brilliance, speak loudly enough to easily include him amongst the league’s premier stars. 

Quinn Finer, Colorado Apex

His 89-score debut season in 2022 left quite an impression, and Quinn Finer has not been able to replicate that level of production in any of the past three years. A lingering hamstring injury has certainly been a factor in Finer’s slight regression in the past couple seasons. Of course, he still finished with 70 scores in 2025, so it’s not like he’s fallen off a cliff. Furthermore, as Colorado’s roster has undergone an even bigger transformation than the team’s branding heading into the ’26 campaign, Finer remains as the versatile rock, capable of putting the team on his back anytime he laces up his cleats.

Walker Frankenberg, Oakland Spiders

Has there been a more consistent producer at the cutter position in the entire UFA over the past three seasons than Walker Frankenberg? Certainly, he’s right up there, as only Garrett Martin, Jordan Kerr, and Travis Dunn have more total scores than Frankenberg since he entered the league. In fact, multiple analytics-focused perspectives thought he deserved to be the MVP last season. The former D-III college standout is still just 26 years old, suggesting that his best frisbee remains in front of him.

Jay Froude, Colorado Apex

During his prime, Jay Froude was arguably the best athlete in the UFA. He debuted with Madison in 2015, played four years with Dallas from 2017-21, and now enters his fifth season with Colorado in 2026. He turned 36 years old last week and is quite clearly not the same player he was in his heyday, but he’s had a tremendous career, with dozens of crazy highlights along the way. I doubt he’ll ever be an All-UFA contender again, but I’d fully expect Froude to add a few more moments to his all-time reel with the Apex this summer. 

Martin Gallant, Toronto Rush

Is it clear yet that I enjoyed watching Team Canada compete at the World Games last summer? Here’s another member of the exciting squad that claimed silver in China, an endeavor that limited Marty Gallant to just four games with the Rush last season. But even in short spurts, he showed glimpses of stardom, with speed and skills reminiscent of Andrew Carroll, another past speedy Toronto cutter. Gallant turns 23 in May, and I’m fascinated to see how impactful he can be over the course of a full season. 

Leo Gordon, Oakland Spiders

Who knows if the result might have been different had Leo Gordon not tested positive for Covid and been forced to miss the West Division title game last August? He certainly had a sparkling debut season for the Spiders, mixing his crafty throws and slippery speed to become an anchor of Oakland’s offense when he was healthy. With a full year under his belt and even more talent around him in year two, Gordon should continue to grow into one of the league’s premier offensive threats. 

Kyle Henke, Austin Sol

His early highlights—like the buzzer-beating grab to beat LA and the unbelievable greatest assist against Nashville—helped Kyle Henke become a star. Both of those plays were in 2018—in fact, the latter of the two came on his 20th birthday—but truthfully, it’s his consistency over the past decade that has vaulted Henke from simply being a man of a few great highlights to genuine UFA stardom. Only six players in the league have produced at least 50 scores in each of the past four seasons; all six are on this list, including Henke. 

Scott Heyman, Philadelphia Phoenix

Coming off a breakout season in 2025, I think 24-year-old Scott Heyman is capable of contending for a league MVP in the next half-decade. He’s truly that good, with size and speed and versatility to win any matchup or take any role. Now, will he have enough talent around him to help him reach his ceiling? I’m not quite as confident about that. But Heyman’s the whole package, and the Phoenix will undoubtedly lean on him in a huge way in 2026. 

Brett Hulsmeyer, Atlanta Hustle

I loved how the Hustle utilized Brett Hulsmeyer last season. They still leaned on him as an offensive centerpiece, but they also strategically found spots for him to impact games defensively. After only playing 25 total D-points in 2024, that number more than tripled to 78 last season. He turned 28 last month, and after competing in his first Championship Weekend last August, he’s likely more determined than ever to help the Atlanta Hustle win their first UFA title. 

Ben Jagt, New York Empire

His bio states that he’s ‘one of the dominant forces in ultimate,’ and even at 33 years old, Ben Jagt remains an elite deep threat, a quality defender, and reliable playmaker that can take over games almost by himself. After his numbers dipped a bit in 2023 and 2024, I publicly speculated that the two-time UFA MVP was shifting into a different phase of his career. I was wrong. Jagt’s still got it, and with new star teammates like Atkins and De Marrée by his side, it could feel like old times again in New York. 

Pawel Janas, Chicago Union

After playing a much smaller role for Chicago in 2025, it seems likely that Pawel Janas will have more responsibility on his shoulders this coming season. The league’s all-time assist leader still is a very capable quarterback, and we saw the Union trust him with the disc in some of the team’s biggest moments last season. Even if the 32-year-old professor is no longer in his athletic prime, he can still contribute to winning, and the Union will need Janas to help lead the way in 2026. 

Jordan Kerr, Salt Lake Shred

Who has the most scores in the UFA over the past five seasons? That would be Jordan Kerr, who’s got 396 combined goals and assists since the pandemic. That’s 20 more than Dunn, 24 more than Jagt, and 59 more than Janas, who make up the next three on this half-decade list. The 28-year-old lefty has been a backbone for the Shred since the franchise’s inception in 2022, and with the Salt Lake offense losing a few of its key cogs this past offseason, Kerr could be relied upon for even more in ’26. 

Paul Krenik, Minnesota Wind Chill

Another member of the Wind Chill’s extraordinarily talented young core, Paul Krenik’s star shined brightest in the semifinals last August, when he erupted for two goals, two assists, and five blocks in Minnesota’s comeback victory over Atlanta. Whether he’s triumphantly intercepting a deep shot as a stealthy snake or quietly silencing another team’s best cutter, Krenik has blossomed into an elite defender; a tad ironic since he played the first nine games last season on the Wind Chill O-line. He’s still just 23, and no matter what role he inhabits, having Krenik anywhere on the field is generally great news for Minnesota. 

Allan Laviolette, Carolina Flyers

Despite being one of the oldest players on this list, Allan Laviolette is coming off the best season of his decade-long UFA career. Even though Carolina missed the playoffs, Laviolette’s long-range marksmanship was unreal, as he completed 32 of his 37 hucks in 11 games, finishing the campaign with 67 assists, most in the league. He’ll turn 37 years old in May, but I fully believe his vision, throws, and timing won’t regress too much, if at all, here in his 10th UFA season.

Garrett Martin, Seattle Cascades

Since returning to the Cascades in 2023, Garrett Martin has led the league in scores. He’s also made an All-UFA team in each of the past three seasons. Martin turns 28 on Wednesday, and I suspect his primary frisbee focus is getting Seattle back to the playoffs here in 2026. 

Isaiah Masek-Kelly, Toronto Rush

This is a funky one, considering that Isaiah Masek-Kelly hasn’t scored in the UFA since 2019. But he was absolutely a star for the Toronto Rush from 2013 to 2018, a six-year stretch where he averaged 36.7 assists, 30.7 goals and 17.5 blocks per season. I have no clue what kind of impact IMK will make in 2026, but under the premise of ‘once a star, always a star,’ he clearly merits a mention here. 

AJ Merriman, DC Breeze

The UFA’s inaugural Defensive Player of the Year in 2021, AJ Merriman became a bona fide star that summer, capping his second season in the league. He’s continued to be a solid D-line playmaker for the Breeze, though his impact hasn’t been quite as significant as what we witnessed five years ago, when he turned 21 midway through the season. Can he rediscover that sophomore form? I’m certainly not betting against him.

Steven Milardovich, San Diego Growlers

Like Masek-Kelly, San Diego’s Steven Milardovich is grandfathered into the star department. He stepped away from the UFA after the 2023 campaign, but he’s still the Growlers all-time leader in blocks with 147, a number that currently ranks tied for 12th in league history. He’s also one of just five players who’s produced at least 20 blocks in four consecutive seasons. But the last of those came eight years ago. How much does the 35-year-old Milardovich have left in the tank? We shall see. 

Sean Mott, DC Breeze

After 120 games, 420 assists, 202 goals, and 67 blocks in 10 seasons with the Philadelphia Phoenix, Sean Mott made the move to DC this season. He’s been one of the league’s ironmen throughout his career, and that’s great news for the Breeze, which will need his experience and playmaking to help them try to keep pace in the beast of an East. 

Tony Mounga, Salt Lake Shred

Would Tony Mounga have made this list if he didn’t have three fourth-quarter blocks in the Shred’s crazy comeback win over the Spiders last August? Honestly, probably not. He would’ve been considered, but probably would have fallen just below the admittedly arbitrary threshold. After that playoff performance, though, I’ve seen enough. This guy’s a star. He’s intense, fierce, and unpredictable, he carries himself like he expects to be great, and he’s not afraid to ruffle a few feathers along the way. Furthermore, his signature quarter helped swing a division title, and I want to watch and see what he’s gonna do next.

John Randolph, New York Empire

This guy was just so good last year. The Empire finally shifted him over to offense, and John Randolph helped New York stay above water and get back to the playoffs. Despite the fact that he made his UFA debut nine years ago, he’s still just 27 years old, and no matter who the Empire add to their roster, they’d be wise to keep Randolph as a centerpiece for everything they do. 

Adam Rees, Oakland Spiders

It’s not very common to see a UFA rookie be as efficient and as productive as Adam Rees was for the Spiders in 2025. In fact, Anders Juengst, the 2021 Rookie of the Year with the Flyers, is the only player this decade to have more goals and a higher-completion percentage than Rees as a first-year player. The former University of Oregon star looked right at home in the Oakland offense last season, and he’ll be a huge part of the team’s quest to get all the way to Championship Weekend in 2026. 

Daniel Ritthaler, Oakland Spiders

I am done under-appreciating Daniel Ritthaler, and I believe he’s a star. As a defender, a facilitator, a leader, and a huge highlight hunter, Ritthaler’s evolved into a force on the Spiders’ D-line. Last season, 78 players in the UFA tallied at least 20 hockey assists, including Ritthaler. Among that group, 77 played over 100 points on offense. The lone exception: Ritthaler, who played just 27 O-points all season long. If they moved him to offense, my hunch is his scoring numbers would triple. But the Spiders have plenty of O-line stat-stuffers, and keeping Ritthaler on D makes them a much scarier unit overall. 

Will Selfridge, Atlanta Hustle

Aside from Daan De Marrée and maybe Thomas Edmonds, I’m not sure there’s a better offseason addition than Atlanta signing Will Selfridge. He’s still just 22—turning 23 in July—yet he’s entering his fifth UFA season. And the Shred trusted Selfridge in high-leverage spots throughout his career, letting him play through mistakes and build some really special confidence to complement his obvious abilities. For a young guy, he’s got a bunch of big-game reps already under his belt, a dynamic that’ll be super valuable for the Hustle in all of their upcoming South showdowns against Carolina, San Diego, and Austin. 

Austin Taylor, Atlanta Hustle

The quintessential quarterback, Atlanta’s Austin Taylor has somehow kept getting better every season, even as he forays deeper into his 30s. His regular season completion percentage has risen every year since the pandemic, and he threw for more yards in 2025 than any other season this decade. He turned 34 in February, but with at least 50 assists in three of the last five seasons, Taylor is poised to continue dropping dimes for the Hustle in 2026. 

Christophe Tremblay-Joncas, Montreal Royal

Opposing coaches often rave about Christophe Tremblay-Joncas, frequently saying he’s as talented as anyone in the East Division. Those skills were on display in his best statistical season for the Royal last year, when he produced 44 assists, 12 goals, and 11 blocks. Interestingly, no one else among the top 20 in the league in assists also racked up double-digit blocks, something that I think speaks to CTJ’s elite and versatile abilities. With Auger-Semmar back as a teammate for the first time since 2023, could the Royal seriously contend for a playoff berth this summer? That’ll certainly be the goal, and time will tell if their stars can rise up against the division’s other top teams. 

Bryan Vohnoutka, Minnesota Wind Chill

The long-time leader of the Wind Chill has been astonishingly steady over the course of his career. In fact, Bryan Vohnoutka is the only player in the league who’s produced at least 20 goals and 20 assists in each of the last seven seasons, dating back to 2018. When I think of his star power, though, my mind steps away from the relentless consistency and shifts to some of the spectacular skies he’s delivered at various Championship Weekends. He may be 35, but he’s fiercely devoted to his training, and it seems like he throws his body around as if he were still 25. 

Jack Williams, New York Empire

Over the course of his fabulous career, Jack Williams has always seemed to play his best frisbee in the biggest moments. He currently holds the UFA postseason records for most assists, completions, and points played, all of which helped earn him the nickname “Playoff Jack.” But sources with the Empire say that, after an injury-marred 2025 that did not match his high standard, a new Williams has emerged in 2026. So be on the lookout for “Hungry Jack” when New York opens its season next month. 

Chad Yorgason, Salt Lake Shred

After earning two All-Defense nods in his first three seasons, a shift to offense helped Chad Yorgason crack the All-UFA honors for the first time in 2025. He led the Shred with 26 completed hucks—at an excellent 81.25 percent success rate—and his poise as a playmaker was absolutely huge for Salt Lake on its road to Championship Weekend. He turned 26 this offseason, and presumably his prime athletic years are beckoning. 

McKay Yorgason, Salt Lake Shred

When I mentioned to Shred Head Coach Bryce Merrill that I currently considered two of the Yorgason brothers to be stars, he suggested I pay tribute to the real star of the family, Dawn Yorgason. So shout-out to Mama Yorg, the matriarch of the crew that’s helped develop three of Salt Lake’s most valuable players. The youngest of the trio, McKay Yorgason has quickly grown into an anchor of the Shred offense. At just 23 years old last season, he finished in the top five in completions, top 10 in assists, and 11th overall in total yards. As the season progressed, you could see his confidence expanding, something I’d expect to continue for the now-24 year old here in 2026. 

Fringe Stars

Here’s a collection of awesome players that are so close to being stars, but for one reason or another, my admittedly subjective process had them in the fringe category. To be clear, I would want some of these dudes on my team over several of the names previously mentioned, but this exercise was not necessarily about selecting the best players. I look forward to each of these individuals—and everyone else I excluded—all being super offended and having huge seasons this summer, citing the disrespect from this article as their main motivation behind their dominant performances. 

Rising Stars

Buy stock in this group now. These dudes are the future, and I expect many on this list to ascend into star status by the end of the 2026 season.