Students Specializing in Sports Analytics shape UFL Tactics and Rulemaking
In an unprecedented partnership, the David B. Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics at Syracuse University joined forces with the United Football League (UFL) during the 2025 season. The collaboration, which exceeded expectations, saw five talented students from the college working alongside the league, gaining invaluable real-world experience.
The students, Ambler, Baris, Toby Halpern, Zach Seidel, Nolan Bruton, Eleanor O'Connor, and Johann Perera, displayed their impressive work at the Tech Suite, impressing film producer and UFL co-owner Dany Garcia. One of their notable projects involved the development of a "QB Decision Score" by Austin Ambler and Danny Baris, aiming to quantify quarterback decision-making.
The UFL officials, including Operations Manager Bryan Kilmeade, Senior Vice President of Technology Scott Harniman, and Vice President of Football Technology Brad Campbell, were particularly impressed by the speed and quality of the "QB Decision Score" development. The students also worked on other projects, such as a point after touchdown conversion (PAT) decision chart, an onside kick alternative, and game timing.
During the UFL's championship weekend in mid-June, the students travelled to St. Louis, where they staffed the Fan Fest Sportable booth and the Tech Suite. They also utilised the Sportable tracking device at the Fan Fest Sportable booth to measure fans' throwing skills.
Throughout the season, the students honed their technical skills and abilities, learning new techniques to accomplish the projects. The new skills they acquired can be applied to other projects in their future professional careers.
Despite a lack of specific documentation detailing the projects in search results, the partnership between the UFL and the Sport Analytics program at the Falk College of Sport is the first of its kind with a premier spring football league in America. The partnership is a testament to the innovative academic programs at Syracuse University and the faculty's involvement in esports and sport-related research.
Notably, UFL's President and CEO, Russ Brandon, is a member of the Falk College of Sport Advisory Board, further strengthening the relationship between the two entities. Kilmeade, who was a sport management major in the Falk College, earned a minor in sport analytics and had Paul and Riverso as his professors and advisor. Francesco Riverso is the Director of Corporate Partnerships and External Engagement at the David B. Falk College of Sport, while Rodney Paul is the Department of Sport Analytics Chair.
As the 2025 UFL season comes to a close, these students have left an indelible mark on the league, demonstrating the potential of the partnership and the impact of real-world experience on the future of sport analytics. Three of the students, Ambler, Baris, and Seidel, are scheduled to graduate in December 2025, ready to apply their newfound skills in their respective careers.
- The QB Decision Score, a project developed by Austin Ambler and Danny Baris, showcased at the Tech Suite during the UFL's championship weekend, aimed to quantify quarterback decision-making and received high praise from league officials.
- Throughout the 2025 UFL season, three students - Ambler, Baris, and Seidel - were involved in various sports-analysis projects that included the development of a point after touchdown conversion chart, an onside kick alternative, and a game timing analysis, providing them with real-world experience to apply in their future careers.
