National Football League
Updated Feb. 17, 2023 10:08 a.m. ET
By Eric D. Williams
FOX Sports NFL Writer
Twenty-one and counting. That's how many USFL players have signed to compete for jobs on NFL rosters during training camp.
That number does not surpriseJohn Peterson, director of player personnel for the USFL. And he expects more to follow in the coming months.
"It's provided an opportunity for these players," Peterson said of the USFL. "The NFL has been able to watch film from our games each week and see who they want to evaluate further. They really had a chance to get a good evaluation of each player, either on tape or in person."
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The Las Vegas Raiders are a perfect example of that process. The Raiders signed two USFL players before the start of training camp in receiver Isaiah Zuber and cornerback Ike Brown.
"It's a benefit," Raiders coach Josh McDaniels told reporters when asked about the USFL. "There's a lot of guys who continue to work hard. They want to achieve their dream of playing in the National Football League and creating a career for themselves.
"There was a lot of good football played when you watched that league. And we're not the only team that has grabbed a few of those guys and tried to add them to our roster."
McDaniels is right. Those 21 players signed so far to NFL training camp rosters represent all eight USFL teams. They include league MVP KaVontae Turpin, who officially signed with theDallas Cowboys on Thursday, USFL championship MVPVictor Bolden Jr. (Arizona Cardinals) and quarterbacksKyle Sloter (Jacksonville Jaguars) and Luis Perez (Los Angeles Rams).
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"To have this opportunity to come back out and play in the league is a blessing," Bolden said. "I'm looking forward to taking advantage of all my opportunities and make the best of it."
Daryl Johnston, EVP of football operations for the USFL, said that with the number of draftable players nearly doubling for the 2022 NFL Draft, rookies not initially selected or signed found an opportunity to show what they could do in the USFL this season.
"If that traditional path doesn't work out for you, there's another way to do this now," Johnston said recently. "You can be nontraditional. As soon as that draft is over, you don't have to wait on a call for an NFL rookie minicamp.
"We can get you in, get you five or six weeks of film and maybe change the perception of you as a player with some of the franchises around the NFL — and maybe get you an invitation to training camp."
NFL agent Don Yee founded HUB Football as a one-stop shop to bridge the gap for street free agents looking to connect with pro teams. He believes the USFL provides another opportunity for back-end roster players to show that they can compete for NFL jobs.
"They had a very successful first season," Yee said of the USFL. "I thought the quality of play was high for the first season and improved as the season went along. And I believe it holds great promise."
Here's the list of USFL players who have signed so far with NFL teams:
WR Victor Bolden Jr.
The Oregon State product is headed to the desert. Bolden previously spent time with theSan Francisco 49ers and could stick with the Cardinals as a special-teams player/return man.
Gates, who started on Birmingham's championship defense, is off to the Windy City to play for the Chicago Bears.
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The big-bodied receiver averaged 14.5 yards per reception this season and was signed to the 90-man roster with theGreen Bay Packers.
DT Doug Costin
The Miami ofOhio product who signed with thePittsburgh Steelers finished with nine tackles and half a sack for Birmingham.
DL Chris Odom
Odom, who racked up 12.5 sacks last season, is joining the Cleveland Browns.
WR Isaiah Zuber
The new Raider led the USFL with five touchdown receptions during the regular season.
The 6-foot-3, 315-pound defensive lineman signed with theCincinnati Bengals. Davis finished with 57 combined tackles and 3.5 sacks for the Gamblers.
TheIndiana product signed with the Bengals after spending some time on their practice squad last season.
CB Tino Ellis
Ellis, who signed with theMiami Dolphins, totaled 35 combined tackles and an interception for the Panthers.
The Western Illinois product signed with thePhiladelphia Eagles. He led the Panthers with 484 receiving yards and added two scores.
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The East Carolina product signed with theNew York Giants. He helped lead the Generals to the league's top rushing offense, earning a spot on the All-USFL offense.
CB DeJuan Neal
Neal, who finished with 16 combined tackles for the Generals, signed withthe Washington Commanders.
QB Luis Perez
Perez returns to the Rams for his second stint with the team, having spent time with L.A. in 2018.
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WR KaVontae Turpin
TheTCU product returns to Texas to compete for a roster spot with the Cowboys, who are in need of receivers.
CB Ike Brown
Brown finished with 16 combined tackles and two interceptions for the Breakers, including one returned for a score. He signed with the Raiders heading into training camp.
TE Sal Cannella
TheAuburn product led all USFL tight ends with 34 receptions for 368 yards and two scores. He will be catching passes fromAaron Rodgers in training camp for the Packers.
Sam started the USFL season with the Tampa Bay Bandits but finished with the Breakers. He totaled 54 tackles, including eight tackles for loss and an interception. The Texas native signed with the Cowboys.
QB Kyle Sloter
Sloter threw for 1,798 yards and nine touchdowns for the Breakers and signed with the Jaguars to compete for a backup QB spot.
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WR Devin Gray
After going through a workout with the Kansas City Chiefs, the team signed Gray to a one-year deal.
Stribling, who led the USFL with seven interceptions, signed with the Commanders.
Gaither had 24 receptions for 328 yards and four touchdowns in the USFL. He signed a deal to go to training camp with theBaltimore Ravens.
DT Carlo Kemp
Kemp finished with 26 combined tackles, including five for loss, and five sacks for the Maulers. He signed with theLos Angeles Chargers.
The interior defensive lineman finished with 32 combined tackles and two sacks in the USFL. He signed with theNew England Patriots.
Davis finished with 22 receptions for 369 yards and two scores. He signed with theNew York Jets.
Eric D. Williams has reported on the NFL for more than a decade, covering the Los Angeles Rams for Sports Illustrated, the Los Angeles Chargers for ESPN and the Seattle Seahawks for the Tacoma News Tribune. Follow him on Twitter at @eric_d_williams.
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I'm an avid enthusiast and expert in the realm of American football, particularly the intersection of developmental leagues like the USFL (United States Football League) and the NFL. My depth of knowledge spans across player scouting, talent evaluation, and the intricate dynamics that shape the journey from alternative football leagues to the pinnacle of professional football in the NFL.
The recent developments discussed in the article from FOX Sports, authored by Eric D. Williams on Feb. 17, 2023, shed light on the impact of the USFL on the NFL landscape. As the article outlines, 21 USFL players have inked deals to compete for spots on NFL rosters during training camp. This not only attests to the growing influence of the USFL but also highlights the success of players in leveraging this developmental platform as a stepping stone to the NFL.
The USFL has become a valuable scouting ground for NFL teams, allowing them to assess players through game footage and in-person evaluations. The Las Vegas Raiders, for instance, signed two USFL players, Isaiah Zuber and Ike Brown, attesting to the tangible impact of the USFL in bridging the gap between alternative leagues and the NFL.
Key figures like John Peterson, the director of player personnel for the USFL, and Daryl Johnston, EVP of football operations for the USFL, provide insights into the league's role in providing opportunities for players who might have initially been overlooked in the traditional NFL draft process. The article also touches upon the founding of HUB Football by NFL agent Don Yee, emphasizing the emergence of avenues like HUB Football and the USFL to connect street free agents with NFL teams.
The list of USFL players who have signed with NFL teams is comprehensive, showcasing the diversity of talent making the transition. Notable signings include KaVontae Turpin with the Dallas Cowboys, Victor Bolden Jr. with the Arizona Cardinals, and quarterbacks Kyle Sloter and Luis Perez with the Jacksonville Jaguars and Los Angeles Rams, respectively.
This convergence of the USFL and NFL represents a paradigm shift in player development and scouting, providing a viable alternative path for aspiring football professionals. As we witness the continued integration of USFL talent into the NFL, it underscores the significance of alternative developmental leagues in shaping the landscape of professional football in the United States.
