2025 UFL MVP Power Rankings: Ta'amu, Perkins lead; Chris Rowland enters mix

I've said it before, and I'll say it again: The MVP is traditionally a quarterback award.

It's that way in the NFL, where one would have to go back to 2012 to find the last time a non-QB took home MVP honors. That was when Minnesota Vikings RB Adrian Peterson put up 2,097 rushing yards, the second-most ever for a running back in NFL history.

It's that way in college football, where Colorado's Travis Hunter was an anomaly this past season, becoming the first non-QB to win the Heisman Trophy since DeVonta Smith took home the prestigious individual award back in 2020. In fact, since then, only three other non-QBs have been named the Heisman Trophy winner this century (Derrick Henry, 2015; Mark Ingram, 2009 and Reggie Bush, 2005).

Point being, in the sport of football, the most valuable player award is often given to a quarterback, and therefore, it should come as no surprise that the leading candidates for this year's UFL MVP Award are … well … quarterbacks.

Now, with that said, there is one newcomer in my MVP rankings this week who isn't a quarterback and is certainly deserving of a seat at the table.

With that, here is a look at my updated UFL MVP Rankings heading into Week 8 of the season:

4. DC Defenders WR Chris Rowland

Week 7 stat line: One catch, 7 yards
Week 7 result: 32-24 win over San Antonio

Despite a subpar performance against San Antonio last week, Rowland has earned his way into the MVP conversation as one of just two players with over 400 receiving yards (402), leading the UFL in receiving TDs (seven) and ranking second in total receptions (32).

In a crowded wide receiver room with big-time playmakers on the outside, Rowland has proven to be one of the most dependable weapons the Defenders have on the