The United States Football League (USFL) kicks off this weekend for its 2023 season, as the Birmingham Stallions prepare a title defense.
With Dallas Cowboys return specialist KaVontae Turpin breaking out in the NFL last fall after a successful USFL run, it’s fun to wonder what other former or aspiring NFL players could make a splash in the pros after this season.
The USFL and XFL will be running congruently, giving football fans plenty to watch as the NFL offseason builts to its annual draft.
Which former NFL and college football players might you recognize in the USFL? We’ll break down the teams and try to identify some familiar faces.
Michigan Panthers
The Michigan Panthers are coached by former NFL coach Mike Nolan and host a couple of familiar names to football fans.
One of the quarterbacks in last year’s draft cycle, Carson Strong, is the signal caller for the Panthers as he continues his playing days.
Former Kansas City Chiefs defensive end Breeland Speaks (above) and former Los Angeles Rams defensive end Ethan Westbrooks help man the Michigan defensive front.
You might also remember linebacker Noah Dawkins, who spent a couple of years with the New York Jets, or wideout Trey Quinn, who was drafted by the Washington Commanders.
New Jersey Generals
The New Jersey Generals are coached by former college coach Mike Riley and boast a handful of notable folks on the roster.
Former New York Giants quarterback Kyle Lauletta (above) leads the team, and former NFL offensive tackle Isaiah Battle is on the team’s offensive line. He was a fifth-round supplemental pick by the Rams in 2015.
The USFL 2022 offensive player of year, running back Darius Victor, also calls himself a General.
Former Minnesota Vikings defensive lineman Hercules Mata’afa and journeyman defensive lineman Toby Johnson (a Georgia alum) lead the defensive front.
Former Rams defensive back Blake Countess (a Michigan alum) stands out in the secondary.
Philadelphia Stars
The Philadelphia Stars are coached by veteran Bart Andrus and feature a former NFL Draft first-round pick.
Former NFL wideout Corey Coleman has found a home in Philadelphia. He was taken by the Cleveland Browns in the 2016 NFL Draft and bounced around the league a bit before landing with the Stars this year.
Quarterback Case Cookus returns to Philly as its lead signal caller, while former Atlanta Falcons receivers Chris Rowland and Devin Gray join Coleman in the wideout room.
Former Green Bay Packers running back Dexter Williams is a standout in the rushing group.
Pittsburgh Maulers
Former NFL defensive coordinator Ray Horton coaches the Pittsburgh Maulers, who feature a former first-round pick on defense.
Former Alabama linebacker Reuben Foster leads the Maulers defense as he attempts a football comeback. He hasn’t been on an NFL roster since 2020 with the Washington Commanders.
Former Wisconsin defensive lineman Olive Sagapolu, who was briefly with the Packers and Detroit Lions, joins Foster on the Maulers defense.
Birmingham Stallions
The title-defending Birmingham Stallions have one of the most starry USFL rosters in the league.
The team is coached by Skip Holtz and boasts last year’s starter J’Mar Smith and former Seattle Seahawks draft pick Alex McGough at the quarterback position.
Former Alabama running back Bo Scarbrough (drafted by the Dallas Cowboys) stands out in the running back room, while former Clemson wideout Deon Cain (drafted by the Indianapolis Colts) leads the receivers.
The team has a very strong duo at tight end with former LSU tight end Thaddeus Moss (son of Randy Moss) and former Packers third-round tight end Jace Sternberger leading the way.
Former Pittsburgh Steelers lineman Derwin Gray heads the offensive lineman group.
The defensive line has former San Francisco 49ers undrafted free agent Darrion Daniels, former Baltimore Ravens fourth-round pick Willie Henry, former Colts fifth-round pick Jonathan Newsome, former Cowboys fifth-round pick Joe Jackson and former Tampa Bay Buccaneers sixth-round pick Khalil Davis.
Former Arizona Cardinals linebacker Scooby Wright (above) leads the linebackers room, while journeyman NFL safety T.J. Green stands out in the secondary.
Houston Gamblers
Unless you’re a New York Giants fan, you might not recognize too many folks on the Houston Gamblers roster.
Led by former Tulane coach Curtis Johnson, the team boasts former Giants fifth-round center Kristjan Sokoli (above), who also played for the Seattle Seahawks and New Orleans Saints.
The team also hosts a couple of undrafted guys like tight end Josh Pederson, outside linebacker Marcel Spears Jr., wideout Teo Redding, safety Dayan Lake and defensive end Reggie Walker.
Memphis Showboats
Former NFL running back Alex Collins (above) is the standout on the Memphis Showboats roster.
Coached by former NFL coordinator Todd Haley, the team also has former Ravens fifth-round defensive tackle Daylon Mack and Houston Texans seventh-round cornerback Jermaine Kelly.
You might also remember former LSU receiver Derrick Dillon and former Georgia defensive tackle John Atkins, undrafted NFL guys on Memphis’ roster.
Former NFL kicker Brandon Wright leads the special teams group.
New Orleans Breakers
Former 2018 NFL supplemental draft pick Adonis Alexander (above) leads the New Orleans Breakers, who are coached by former NFL coordinator John DeFilippo.
Veteran quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson leads the signal callers, while former undrafted outside linebacker Jordan Brailford joins Alexander on the Breakers defense.
