Former Nittany Lion, State College Native Wins UFL Championship With Louisville Kings

The Louisville Kings on Saturday won the 2026 UFL Championship during their inaugural season, defeating the DC Defenders 27-20 at Audi Field in the nation’s capital.

Playing a key role in the victory was former Penn State safety Keaton Ellis, who forced a pivotal fumble on what likely would’ve been a Defenders touchdown. He also added six tackles, a pass breakup and a sack, becoming the first Nittany Lion to win a UFL title in the process.

Ellis suited up for the blue and white from 2019-2023, totaling 89 career tackles, 11 passes defended, four forced fumbles and two interceptions. The State College native signed with the Tennessee Titans as an undrafted free agent but never saw the field before transitioning to the UFL.

On the other sideline, D.C.’s defense featured a pair of former Penn State linebackers in Brandon Smith and Curtis Jacobs, who amassed six and two tackles, respectively, while finishing as the runner-up.

Smith played for the Nittany Lions from 2019-2021, spending two seasons with Ellis and all three with Jacobs. He totaled 131 tackles — including 81 as a junior — with four sacks, a forced fumble and an interception.

He declared for the draft early and was selected by the Carolina Panthers in the fourth round in 2022 before seeing brief playing time. Smith also had a brief stint with the Philadelphia Eagles but was cut from the practice squad in 2024 before later joining the UFL.

Jacobs played for Penn State from 2020-23, totaling 172 tackles, 9.5 sacks, two interceptions and a forced fumble as a multi-year starter. He had brief stints with the Kansas City Chiefs, New England Patriots, Tennessee Titans and New York Giants throughout 2024 and 2025 before landing with the Defenders.