United States Football League
USFL Draft: Every pick from Day 1
United States Football League

USFL Draft: Every pick from Day 1

Updated Feb. 23, 2022 12:50 p.m. ET

Day 1 of the USFL Draft is in the books!

The 35-round inaugural draft is an exciting two-day event taking place in Birmingham, Alabama. Day 1 was on Tuesday, with 101 players selected across 12 rounds.

The Michigan Panthers were first on the clock, and they started the show by selecting former Michigan Wolverines quarterback Shea Patterson with the No. 1 overall pick.

In a unique twist, the USFL proceeded from round to round by position, beginning with quarterbacks in Round 1, followed by edge rushers and defensive ends in Rounds 2 through 4, offensive tackles in Rounds 5 through 7, cornerbacks in Rounds 8 through 11 and back to quarterbacks in Round 12. 

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Here is the full draft order for every team, pick by pick from Day 1.

ROUND 1 (QUARTERBACK)

1. Michigan Panthers: Shea Patterson, Michigan

A former five-star recruit who starred at both Mississippi and Michigan in a storied college career that saw him pass for 8,800 yards and 68 touchdowns, Patterson was the first QB off the board in the USFL’s first round.

Following two years at Michigan in which he finished ahead of both Tom Brady and his former head coach Jim Harbaugh on the school’s all-time passer list, the 6-foot-1, 212-pound Patterson signed with the Kansas City Chiefs and has since spent time in the CFL with the BC Lions and Montreal Alouettes. A former high school baseball star, Patterson stuck with football despite being drafted by the Texas Rangers in the 39th round in 2018.

2. Tampa Bay Bandits: Jordan Ta’amu, Mississippi

Following two flashy seasons at Ole Miss in which he passed for 5,600 yards and an impressive 30 touchdowns against just 12 interceptions, Ta’amu signed with the Houston Texans in 2019. He jumped to the now-defunct XFL a few months later, playing so well for the St. Louis BattleHawks that he has since earned shots with the NFL’s Kansas City Chiefs, Detroit Lions, Washington Commanders and Carolina Panthers.

3. Philadelphia Stars: Bryan Scott, Occidental College

Tabbed as the "Aaron Rodgers of Division III," Scott passed for 9,073 yards and 77 touchdowns in just 33 games at Occidental College. While throwing at USC’s Pro Day in 2017, the 6-1, 215-pound Scott shocked scouts with a sparkling 62-for-64 performance (including one drop), earning a spot with the CFL's BC Lions.

Scott, 26, has had subsequent opportunities with the Los Angeles Rams, Kansas City Chiefs, Atlanta Falcons and Indianapolis Colts in between cameos with the Edmonton Eskimos of the CFL and the New Jersey Generals of the Spring League, prior to being drafted Tuesday in the first round by Philadelphia.

4. New Jersey Generals: Ben Holmes, Tarleton State

The 5-10, 200-pound Holmes initially starred at wide receiver in high school and junior college before landing at Tarleton State as a quarterback. He guided the Texans to their first outright Lone Star Conference Championship and left with a sparkling 23-2 career record as the starting quarterback. Holmes, 26, continued his playing career in the Indoor Football League, signing with the six-time champion Arizona Rattlers prior to Tuesday’s selection at No. 4 by the Generals. 

5. Houston Gamblers: Clayton Thorson, Northwestern

Prior to earning a fifth-round selection by the then-defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles back in 2019, Thorson threw for 10,731 yards and 61 touchdowns with 27 more scores on the ground at Northwestern. His squad finished 36-17 during his time as a starter in the highly competitive Big Ten. Thorson, 26, also spent with time with the Cowboys and Giants before being selected by the Gamblers at No. 5 on Tuesday. 

6. Birmingham Stallions: Alex McGough, Florida International

McGough was a seventh-round pick of the Seattle Seahawks in 2018, the team’s first QB draft pick since Russell Wilsonin 2012. He has also spent time in the NFL with the Jacksonville Jaguars and Houston Texans. The 6-3, 214-pounder, 26, started all four years of his career at FIU, becoming the school’s all-time leader in passing touchdowns (65) and passing yardage (9,091) with another 535 yards and 16 scores on the ground. 

7. Pittsburgh Maulers: Kyle Lauletta, Richmond

Lauletta was MVP of the Senior Bowl in 2018, which led to his selection in the fourth round of the NFL Draft by the New York Giants that year. The 6-3, 222-pound QB offers the prototypical size and arm talent to generate interest from fans and rival scouts, alike, completing 63.5% of his nearly 1,200 career passes at Richmond for 10,465 yards and 73 touchdowns against 35 interceptions. Lauletta has also spent time in the NFL with the Philadelphia Eagles, Atlanta Falcons, Cleveland Browns and Jacksonville Jaguars.

8. New Orleans Breakers: Kyle Sloter, Northern Colorado

Sloter initially signed with Southern Miss but transferred to Northern Colorado after the Golden Eagles moved him to receiver. Northern Colorado also played the athletic Sloter at other positions, but once he became the QB, he passed for 2,656 yards and 29 touchdowns against just 10 interceptions. That landed him a job with the Denver Broncos in 2017, who eventually cut him despite his passing for 413 yards in the preseason that year. Sloter, 28, has since spent time with the Minnesota Vikings, Arizona Cardinals, Detroit Lions, Chicago Bears and Las Vegas Raiders prior to the Breakers making him their top pick Tuesday. 

ROUND 2 (EDGE/DE)

1. New Orleans Breakers: Davin Bellamy, Georgia

Davin Bellamy recorded 5.0 sacks in the 2016 FBS season, tied for the most of any player on that Georgia team. He also recorded 1.5 sacks against Alabama in the 2017-18 College Football Playoff Championship. He was signed by the Houston Texans as an undrafted free agent in 2018.

2. Pittsburgh Maulers: Carlo Kemp, Michigan

The nephew of Chuck Pagano and John Pagano, Carlo Kemp played in 46 games (29 starts) in five seasons at Michigan from 2016 to 2020. He was a 2019 third-team All-Big Ten selection. 

3. Birmingham Stallions: Aaron Adeoye, SE Missouri State

Aaron Adeoye switched from college basketball to college football in his fifth season of eligibility. He was signed by the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent in 2019. He has played in TSL and AAF.

4. Houston Gamblers: Chris Odom, Arkansas State

The son of LB Cliff Odom, who played 13 seasons in the NFL, Chris Odom was a 2016 First-Team All-Sun Belt selection and was signed by the Atlanta Falcons as an undrafted free agent in 2017. He has also played in the AAF and CFL.

5. New Jersey Generals: Bryson Young, Oregon

Bryson Young played in 49 games in four seasons at Oregon from 2016 to ’19. He was signed by the Atlanta Falcons as an undrafted free agent in 2020.

6. Philadelphia Stars: Freedom Akinmoladun, Nebraska

A 2015 Big Ten All-Freshman Team selection, Freedom Akinmoladun has played in the NFL for the Bengals (2019-20) and Jets (2021). He switched from TE to DE during his redshirt freshman year at Nebraska in 2014.

7. Tampa Bay Bandits: Mekhi Brown, Alabama

Mekhi Brown was a unanimous four-star prospect coming out of high school. He was named to the 2018 OVC All-Newcomer Team.

8. Michigan Panthers: Adewale Adeoye, Utah State

A 2018 honorable mention All-Mountain West selection, Adewale Adeoye played in 33 games in three seasons at Utah State (2016-18). He led the team with three fumble recoveries in 2018.

ROUND 3 (EDGE/DE)

1. Michigan Panthers: Cavon Walker, Maryland

Cavon Walker played in 50 games in five seasons at Maryland (2013-17). He was signed by the Chicago Bears as an undrafted free agent in 2018.

2. Tampa Bay Bandits: Michael Scott, Oklahoma State

Michael Scott played in 25 games and recorded 4.5 sacks in two seasons at Oklahoma State (2018-19). He is related to former NFL running back Tatum Bell.

3. Philadelphia Stars: Gus Cumberlander, Oregon

4. New Jersey Generals: Kolin Hill, Texas Tech

5. Houston Gamblers: Ahmad Gooden, Samford

6. Birmingham Stallions: Chauncy Haney, North Greenville

Chauncy Haney led North Greenville with three blocked kicks in 2018. He was a 2019 Division II Second-Team All-America selection and the 2019 Gulf South Conference Defensive Player of the Year.

7. Pittsburgh Maulers: Nasir Player, East Tennessee State

8. New Orleans Breakers: Anree Saint-Amour, Georgia Tech

ROUND 4 (EDGE/DE)

1. New Orleans Breakers: James Folston Jr., Pitt

2. Pittsburgh Maulers: Eric Assoua, Western Michigan

Born in the Netherlands, Eric Assoua played in 47 games in four seasons at Western Michigan from 2015 to ‘18.

3. Birmingham Stallions: Seth Thomas, Northern Iowa

4. Houston Gamblers: Drequan Brown, Central Oklahoma

5. New Jersey Generals: Malik Hamner, Jackson State

6. Philadelphia Stars: Carroll Phillips, Illinois

7. Tampa Bay Bandits: Adam Shuler, Florida

8. Michigan Panthers: Chase DeMoor, Central Washington

9. (Compensatory pick; passing in future round) New Orleans Breakers: Nigel Chavis, Norfolk State

10. (Compensatory pick; passing in future round) Birmingham Stallions: Jonathan Newsome, Ball State

Related: How compensatory picks work in USFL Draft

ROUND 5 (OFFENSIVE TACKLE)

1. Pittsburgh Maulers: Chidi Okeke, Tennessee State

2. Birmingham Stallions: Darius Harper, Cincinnati

3. Houston Gamblers: Brandon Hitner, Villanova

4. New Orleans Breakers: Paul Adams, Missouri

5. Michigan Panthers: Keith Williams, Colorado State

Hailing from Baltimore, Maryland, Keith Williams helped Colorado State to the second-best offense in the Mountain West in 2019.

6. New Jersey Generals: Garrett McGhin, East Carolina

7. Philadelphia Stars: Blake Alan Camper, South Carolina

Blake Alan Camper played in 40 games in four seasons at South Carolina from 2015 to ’18. He was signed by the Los Angeles Chargers as an undrafted free agent in 2019.

8. Tampa Bay Bandits: Tyler Catalina, Georgia

ROUND 6 (OFFENSIVE TACKLE)

1. Tampa Bay Bandits: Corbin Kaufusi, BYU

2. Philadelphia Stars: Michael Rodriguez III, Louisiana Tech

3. New Jersey Generals: Calvin Ashley, Auburn

Calvin Ashley was a five-star prospect coming out of high school in 2017. He was signed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent in 2021.

4. Michigan Panthers: Teton Saltes, New Mexico

5. New Orleans Breakers: Donnell Greene, Minnesota

6. Houston Gamblers: Avery Gennesy, Texas A&M

7. Birmingham Stallions: O'Shea Dugas, Louisiana Tech

O'Shea Dugas was named 2016 and 2017 Second-Team All-Conference USA and 2018 First-Team All-Conference USA.

8. Pittsburgh Maulers: Isaiah Battle, Clemson

Isaiah Battle played in 27 games in three seasons at Clemson (2012-14). He was drafted by the St. Louis Rams in the fifth round of the 2015 supplemental draft.

ROUND 7 (OFFENSIVE TACKLE)

1. Pittsburgh Maulers: Charles Baldwin, Youngstown State

2. Birmingham Stallions: Justice Powers, UAB

3. Houston Gamblers: John Yarbrough, Richmond

John Yarbrough started 11 games at three different positions on the offensive line (C, RG, RT) at Richmond. He was named 2018 Second-Team All-CAA and Lineman MVP of the 2018 FCS National Bowl.

4. New Orleans Breakers: Marquis Lucas, West Virginia

5. Michigan Panthers: Joshua Dunlap, UTSA

6. New Jersey Generals: Terry Poole, San Diego State

Terry Poole played left tackle for the third-best rushing offense in the Mountain West in 2014. He was named Second-Team All-Mountain West that season.

7. Philadelphia Stars: Jacob Paul Burton, Baylor

8. Tampa Bay Bandits: Juwann Bushel-Beatty, Michigan

9. (Compensatory pick; passing in future round) Birmingham Stallions: Matthew Snow, Pace

10. (Compensatory pick; passing in future round) Michigan Panthers: Joshua Taylor, Mississippi Valley State

Joshua Taylor, a native of Philadelphia, is able to play all five offensive line positions.

ROUND 8 (CORNERBACK)

1. Tampa Bay Bandits: Delrick Abrams, Jr., Colorado

2. Philadelphia Stars: Channing Stribling, Michigan

3. New Jersey Generals: De'Vante Bausby, Pittsburgh State

4. Michigan Panthers: Tino Ellis, Maryland

5. New Orleans Breakers: Adonis Alexander, Virginia Tech

6. Houston Gamblers: Jamar Summers, UConn

7. Birmingham Stallions: Brian Allen, Utah

Brian Allen played in 42 games (12 starts) in four seasons at Utah (2013-2016) and recorded four interceptions in 2016, tied for fifth-most in the Pac-12. He was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the fifth round (173rd overall) of the 2017 NFL Draft.

8. Pittsburgh Maulers: Ajene Harris, USC

ROUND 9 (CORNERBACK)

1. Pittsburgh Maulers: Terrell Bonds, Tennessee State

2. Birmingham Stallions: Tae Hayes, Appalachian State

3. Houston Gamblers: Will Likely, Maryland

4. New Orleans Breakers: Derrick Jones, Mississippi

5. Michigan Panthers: Jameson Houston, Baylor

6. New Jersey Generals: Trae Elston, Mississippi

7. Philadelphia Stars: Marcus Lewis, Maryland

8. Tampa Bay Bandits: Davante Davis, Texas

ROUND 10 (CORNERBACK)

1. Tampa Bay Bandits: Christian Campbell, Penn State

2. Philadelphia Stars: Mazzi Wilkins, South Florida

3. New Jersey Generals: David Rivers, Youngstown State

4. Michigan Panthers: Dominique Martin, Tarleton State

5. New Orleans Breakers: Manny Patterson, Maine

6. Houston Gamblers: Howard Wilson, Houston

Howard Wilson led Houston with five interceptions in the 2016 season and was named 2016 First-Team All-AAC selection. He was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the fourth round (126th overall) of the 2017 NFL Draft.

7. Birmingham Stallions: Bryan Mills, North Carolina Central

Bryan Mills led the MEAC with five interceptions in the 2019 season and tied the NCCU program record with three interceptions in a single game. He was named 2019 FCS Second-Team All-America.

8. Pittsburgh Maulers: Prince Robinson, Tarleton State

ROUND 11 (CORNERBACK)

1. Pittsburgh Maulers: Jaylon McClain-Sapp, Marshall

2. Birmingham Stallions: Lorenzo Burns, Arizona

3. Houston Gamblers: Jerry Cantave, William Jewell College

4. New Orleans Breakers: Ja'Len Embry, Northern Illinois

5. Michigan Panthers: Jalin Burrell, New Mexico

6. New Jersey Generals: DeJuan Neal, Shepherd

7. Philadelphia Stars: Bradley Sylve, Alabama

8. Tampa Bay Bandits: Rashard Causey Jr., Central Florida

9. (Compensatory pick) New Orleans Breakers: Isiah "Ike" Brown, Florida International

ROUND 12 (QUARTERBACK)

1. New Orleans Breakers: Zach Smith, Tulsa

2. Pittsburgh Maulers: Josh Love, San Jose State

3. Birmingham Stallions: J'Mar Davis-Smith, Louisiana Tech

J'Mar Davis-Smith finished his career ranked in the top four in Louisiana Tech history in completions (759), passing yards (9,523) and passing touchdowns (51). He was named 2019 Conference USA Offensive Player of the Year and 2019 First Team All-Conference USA.

4. Houston Gamblers: Kenji Bahar, Monmouth

5. New Jersey Generals: De'Andre Johnson, Texas Southern

De'Andre Johnson finished 2019 with 1,705 pass yards, fourth-highest by a Texas Southern QB since 2000. He also gained the fourth-most rushing yards on the team (417 yards).

6. Philadelphia Stars: Case Cookus, Northern Arizona

Case Cookus is Northern Arizona’s all-time leader in career passing yards (12,082) and passing TDs (105). He is the only QB in program history to pass for more than 4,000 yards (4,114 in 2019). Cookus was a 2018 and 2019 Walter Payton Award watch list nominee (best FCS player).

7. Tampa Bay Bandits: Brady White, Memphis

8. Michigan Panthers: Paxton Lynch, Memphis

For even more on the new USFL, check out our Everything You Need To Know, and make sure to follow the USFL and your favorite teams!

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