Congrats to #VFLs Bryce Thompson, Kyle Phillips, and Paxton Brooks on winning the UFL Championship!
The journey from college football stardom to professional success is never guaranteed, but for three former Tennessee Volunteers—Bryce Thompson, Kyle Phillips, and Paxton Brooks—the path has led to a crowning achievement: winning the 2025 UFL Championship. Their collective triumph is not only a testament to their individual perseverance but also a source of pride for the Tennessee football community, affectionately known as the Volunteer faithful.
Bryce Thompson, a former standout defensive back at Tennessee, carved his name into the program’s history with a reputation for being both a physical and instinctive player. During his time on Rocky Top, Thompson showed flashes of elite talent, earning Freshman All-American honors in 2018 and emerging as one of the best young defenders in the SEC. His ability to diagnose plays, close gaps, and make timely interceptions made him a key piece of Tennessee’s secondary. Despite going undrafted in the 2021 NFL Draft, Thompson remained undeterred. He signed with the New Orleans Saints and spent time on their practice squad, bouncing between the active roster and reserves over multiple seasons.
But it was in the UFL where Thompson found the consistent opportunity he had been looking for. Playing for the Birmingham Stallions in the 2025 season, Thompson emerged as one of the top defensive backs in the league. He brought the same ball-hawking tendencies that made him a college star, recording four interceptions during the regular season and returning one for a touchdown. His ability to lock down opposing receivers and contribute in run support proved invaluable to Birmingham’s defense, which was ranked among the league’s best. In the UFL Championship Game, Thompson delivered a standout performance, batting down two passes and recording six tackles. His energy and leadership in the secondary helped propel the Stallions to a title-clinching victory, a performance that did not go unnoticed by scouts and analysts.
Kyle Phillips, another Tennessee alum and a proud #VFL, has traveled a more gradual road to this championship. A Nashville native and legacy Vol—his mother, Teresa Phillips, is the former athletic director at Tennessee State—Phillips was a four-star recruit who played for the Vols from 2015 to 2018. As a defensive end, he was known for his strength, motor, and versatility along the defensive line. He steadily developed over his college career and had a breakout senior season, including a memorable pick-six against Alabama. After going undrafted in 2019, Phillips signed with the New York Jets, where he played three seasons and logged some solid performances, including a few starts and key sacks.
When his NFL opportunities dwindled, Phillips turned to the UFL to prove he still had plenty of game left. Signing with the San Antonio Brahmas, Phillips quickly became a leader on and off the field. Anchoring the defensive front, he used his blend of experience and technique to rack up five sacks and numerous quarterback pressures during the 2025 campaign. His ability to disrupt offensive lines helped San Antonio become one of the stingiest defenses in the UFL. In the championship matchup, Phillips was a force, recording a sack and contributing on multiple run stops that helped swing momentum in his team’s favor. His presence in the locker room and his championship effort underscored just how valuable a veteran voice can be on a team filled with players chasing their professional dreams.
Then there’s Paxton Brooks, the former Tennessee punter whose unique path to football glory highlights the often-overlooked importance of special teams. At Tennessee, Brooks served as the starting punter from 2019 to 2022, and his strong leg and consistent hang time made him a reliable asset for the Vols. More than just a punter, Brooks also handled kickoff duties and was known for his poise under pressure, especially in tough SEC environments. Despite not hearing his name called during the NFL Draft, Brooks kept working, honing his craft in hopes of a pro opportunity.
That opportunity came with the Michigan Panthers of the UFL, and Brooks seized it. During the 2025 season, he emerged as one of the best punters in the league, regularly flipping field position and giving his defense room to operate. He led the league in average punt distance and was near the top in punts inside the 20-yard line. In the championship game, Brooks delivered under pressure with a series of perfectly placed punts that pinned the opposing offense deep and helped secure crucial field position during key moments of the contest. Special teams are often the unsung heroes in football, and Brooks’s contributions were undeniably critical to his team’s championship effort.
For all three players, the UFL has served as a proving ground—a place where second chances become championship moments. Their stories are more than just about on-field success; they are stories of resilience, growth, and belief. Each faced setbacks after college, with varying degrees of struggle to stick in the NFL. But rather than let those hurdles define them, they found new life in a league filled with hungry athletes and passionate coaches. The UFL, a merger of former spring leagues like the XFL and USFL, has gained credibility as a legitimate path for players looking to develop and return to the NFL or simply extend their careers.
The 2025 UFL season itself was a testament to the quality of talent available outside the NFL. With national television exposure, solid fan engagement, and competitive parity among its teams, the league provided a platform that felt authentic and meaningful to both players and viewers. For fans of Tennessee football, seeing their former stars make plays, lead teams, and hoist a championship trophy added a new dimension to the pride of being a Volunteer. Social media lit up with #VFL tributes and congratulations as news spread of Thompson, Phillips, and Brooks’s championship triumph.
In Knoxville and beyond, the Volunteer faithful rallied around the moment. Tennessee’s coaching staff and alumni association issued congratulatory messages, recognizing not just the players’ individual efforts but also the program’s role in preparing them for professional success. These acknowledgments reinforce Tennessee’s longstanding tradition of producing high-character athletes who find success at the next level, whether in the NFL, UFL, or other pro leagues.
The success of these three players also has implications for the future. Young athletes considering Tennessee as a destination can look to Thompson, Phillips, and Brooks as examples of what perseverance and grit can accomplish. The road to football stardom isn’t always linear. Injuries, depth chart battles, and tough business decisions often create detours, but those who remain committed can still achieve greatness. The UFL, while not as glamourous as the NFL, provides a meaningful and respected platform, and players like these #VFLs prove that there is life—and glory—beyond the traditional pro path.
It also speaks volumes about the culture Tennessee instills in its players. Thompson, Phillips, and Brooks all spoke in postgame interviews about the discipline and toughness they learned during their time in Knoxville. From running stadium steps in the summer heat to facing SEC giants every fall, they credited the Volunteer program with preparing them for the adversity and demands of pro football. Their gratitude for the Tennessee experience was heartfelt and genuine, a reminder that college football isn’t just about game days—it’s about growth.
The championship moment for the trio was filled with emotion. When the final whistle blew, the celebration wasn’t just about winning a game—it was about validating a journey. For Thompson, it was the realization that the doubters were wrong. For Phillips, it was a culmination of hard work and leadership paying off. For Brooks, it was the rare chance for a specialist to bask in the spotlight and show that punting, too, can shape championship outcomes.
Looking ahead, the future remains open for each of them. There is already chatter that NFL teams are showing renewed interest, especially in Thompson, whose coverage skills and versatility have caught the attention of scouts. Phillips’s veteran savvy and pass-rush ability could make him a valuable rotational piece for an NFL defense, particularly in a 3-4 scheme. And Brooks, with his proven leg strength and elite placement, may well be on the radar for teams looking to solidify their special teams units.
But regardless of what comes next, their place in UFL history is cemented. More importantly, their legacy as Volunteers who kept fighting long after college is now a part of Tennessee lore. The hashtag #VFL—Vol for Life—has always carried weight, but moments like these breathe new life into it. They are reminders that being a Vol doesn’t end when you leave Neyland Stadium. It’s a lifelong bond, a badge of honor, and a spirit that follows you wherever the game may lead.
In a sports world that often emphasizes instant success and overnight fame, the stories of Bryce Thompson, Kyle Phillips, and Paxton Brooks offer something different: a celebration of the long road, the quiet grind, and the deep resolve it takes to keep believing in yourself. Their UFL Championship is more than just a trophy—it’s a symbol of endurance, of loyalty to their craft, and of the Volunteer spirit that never fades.
As the confetti fell and their teammates embraced, it was easy to see the joy etched across their faces. For them, this championship wasn’t just about a single season. It was about years of effort, the pain of setbacks, the thrill of second chances, and the fulfillment of dreams reborn. It was about three Volunteers who never stopped pushing—and finally found glory on their own terms.
