Battlehawks RB Jacob Saylors & CB Nick Whiteside Sign with the NFL’s Detroit Lions

Two St. Louis Battlehawks are making the jump from the UFL to the NFL — and are both going to the same team. Battlehawks RB Jacob Saylors and CB Nick Whiteside both signed with the Detroit Lions this week. The league announced both moves via separate X posts: 

Saylors was among the league’s most prolific offensive players this season. He trailed only league leader Jashaun Corbin in rushing yards with 499 and led the league in yards from scrimmage with 744. For his efforts, Saylors was named to the 2025 All-UFL team as one of seven Battlehawks with that honor. He also scored the first touchdown of the 2025 UFL season: 

Whiteside started five games for the Battlehawks this past season. He had 17 tackles and 3 pass breakups on the year. He had a previous NFL stint with the Washington Commanders in 2023. 

Despite being one of the best teams in the UFL last season, the Battlehawks have had just two players sign with an NFL club, tied with the lowly Memphis Showboats and San Antonio Brahmas for the fewest in the league. This number could rise as training camps across the NFL get underway and players are cut or injured.