The United Football League (UFL) announced on Wednesday that Louisville linebacker Cam Gill was named the 2026 UFL Defensive Player of the Year presented by NOBULL.
The award was selected by a panel of media members, broadcast partners, and coaches and team football personnel from all eight teams. Selections were based on player performances throughout the recently concluded 10-game regular season.
Cam Gill is six foot three and weighs 240 pounds. The 28-year-old from Sumter, South Carolina, signed with the Louisville Kings on February 2, 2026. In 2026, he was named to the All-UFL Team after finishing the season with 39 tackles (24 solos, 15 assists), 12 tackles for loss, 10 sacks, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery in 10 games. In the UFL Playoffs, Gill made six tackles (5 solos, 1 assist), one tackle for loss, and one sack.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers signed Gill as an undrafted free agent on May 4, 2020. He played three seasons in Tampa Bay with 29 tackles (16 solos, 13 assists), one tackle for loss, 2.5 sacks, and one forced fumble in 40 games.
In 2021, he made 11 tackles (7 solos, 4 assists), one tackle for loss, and 1.5 sacks in 13 games when the Buccaneers won Super Bowl LV over the Kansas City Chiefs. The Carolina Panthers signed Gill on May 13, 2024. In 2024, he made 22 tackles (6 solos, 16 assists) in 10 games.
Collegiately, Gill spent four seasons at Wagner (2016-19) with 188 tackles (106 solos, 82 assists), 57.5 tackles for loss, 34 sacks, one interception, five pass breakups, eight forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, one blocked kick, one punt return for 42 yards, and one touchdown in 45 games for the Seahawks.
Gill was named a two-time First Team All-NEC (2018-19) and two-time NEC Defensive Player of the Year (2018-19).
Gill will be honored at the UFL Awards presented by Dynasty Financial Partners on June 12, 2026, leading to the United Bowl, which will be played on June 13, 2026, from Audi Field in Washington, D.C.
