ARLINGTON, Texas– Former Seahawk and 2026 UFL MVP award finalist, Louisville Kings edge Cam Gill, was named the 2026 UFL Defensive Player of the Year, the league announced on June 10.
The award recognizes the UFL's best defensive player during the league's 10-week regular season. The winner was selected by a panel of media members, broadcast partners, coaches, and football personnel from all eight teams.
During his remarkable season, Gill had three multi-sack games to lead the league and set a new UFL single-season record with 10.0 sacks, while also recording a league-leading 12 tackles for loss. Consistently wreaking havoc in opposing backfields, Gill also added 39 tackles, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery on the season.
"Cam Gill is an exceptional player who has finally been given the opportunity to showcase the full extent of his talent," said Louisville Kings Head Coach Chris Redman. "He is truly deserving of this award and any recognition that follows. His dedication, work ethic, and commitment to excellence are evident every day, and the results speak for themselves. Cam serves as an outstanding role model and inspiration to athletes throughout our league and beyond."
Gill was recently named an MVP finalist alongside QB Jack Plummer (Orlando Storm), edge Derick Roberson (DC Defenders), and QB Jordan Ta'amu (DC Defenders). Fellow Kings teammate kicker Tanner Brown was also named Special Teams Player of the Year.
A 2020 Wagner graduate and one of the program's most decorated players, Gill earned STATS FCS First Team All-America honors, HERO Sports FCS Second Team All-America recognition and Associated Press Third Team All-America honors while also garnering All-ECAC First Team accolades. He competed in the prestigious East-West Shrine Bowl following the 2019 season.
The Douglasville, Ga., native became just the fifth player in NEC history to repeat as the league's Defensive Player of the Year and concluded his collegiate career as the NEC's all-time leader with 34 sacks. During his standout 2019 season, Gill led the conference with 9.5 sacks while totaling 20 tackles for loss and 60 tackles in 12 games. He also earned an invitation to the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl and was a finalist for the Buck Buchanan Award, presented annually to the top defensive player in the FCS.
Gill went on to spend four seasons in the NFL, appearing in 50 games and recording 51 tackles. He was also a member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Super Bowl LV championship team in 2021.
The winner of the 2026 UFL Most Valuable Player Award will be announced on Friday, June 12, as part of the UFL Awards presented by Dynasty Financial Partners celebration leading into the Kings' United Bowl matchup against the DC Defenders. The championship game will be played on Saturday, June 13, at 3 p.m. ET on ABC at Audi Field in Washington, D.C.
