Battlehawks RB Jacob Saylors Establishing Role With Lions

One of the underrated UFL to NFL success stories this year: former St. Louis Battlehawks RB Jacob Saylors. Saylors, who landed himself in camp with the Detroit Lions this summer, did enough during the preseason to make it onto the team’s practice squad.

Fast forward just one week, though, and Jacob was elevated to the active roster – and hasn’t looked back since.

Saylors’ journey through pro football wouldn’t have been possible without his stellar performance in the United Football League. Jacob spent two seasons with the St. Louis Battlehawks – earning All-UFL honors in back-to-back campaigns.

Following the 2024 season, Saylors had a couple quick opportunities with the Giants and the Browns. Those were short-lived, and he found himself back on a UFL roster in St. Louis.

This year, Saylors was on an absolute tear – rushing for 499 yards and five touchdowns in just nine games. After being named to the All-UFL First Team for a second straight season, Saylors inked a deal with the Lions.

During the preseason, Jacob was utilized in a myriad of different ways by Detroit. He returned kicks, ran the football well, and also caught the ball coming out of the backfield. Clearly, Dan Campbell & Co. took notice, resulting in Saylors landing on the practice squad.

During the NFL’s regular season, Saylors has been a key piece on Special Teams across the board. He’s got 26 kick returns for 699 yards to his name – leading the Lions in both categories. Jacob is averaging 26.9 yards per return, with a long of 39 yards.

Anthony Becht, Head Coach of the St. Louis Battlehawks, isn’t surprised at all by Jacob’s NFL success:

“From the day I started watching Jacob’s film and then signed him as a Battlehawk, there was absolutely no doubt in my mind that his time with us would be limited. No one worked harder or was more committed to his craft. Words can’t express how incredibly proud I am of Jacob for the current success he’s having in the NFL.”

As the Detroit Lions prepare to make a playoff push, Tom Kennedy did return to the lineup this week, returning three kickoffs on Thanksgiving.

That said, Saylors is living proof that the UFL’s platform can accomplish what it’s set out to do: getting quality athletes to the NFL, where they belong. Hopefully, he remains on the active roster, as he has earned a spot within the special teams rotation.

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What are your thoughts on Jacob Saylors and the job he’s done in Detroit so far? Let us know down in the comments below, or join the conversation on Discord!