The UFL has been announcing its regular-season awards, with the defensive player of the year for the first season of the XFL/USFL merger going to Michigan Panthers defensive end Breeland Speaks. Speaks, a second-round draft pick of the Chiefs in 2018, has had a journeyman career so far, spending time with multiple NFL teams before finding success in the UFL.
In 2023, Speaks played for the Michigan Panthers and led the league with 9.5 sacks in just 10 games. He also topped the UFL with 13 tackles for loss. Impressively, seven of his sacks came in just two games, with four in one game and three in another. This standout performance on the field has earned him the defensive player of the year award.
With Speaks leading the defensive charge, the Panthers are set to face off against the Stallions this weekend for a chance to secure a spot in the first-ever UFL championship game. Speaks’ strong defensive play will be crucial as the Panthers look to advance in the playoffs and compete for the UFL title.