When the USFL announced that they were having a college draft in February of 2023, a lot of fans and media were extremely surprised, confused, and hopeful for the new wave of players that could be suiting up for the 2023 season and beyond. As we look at the USFL Draft over 2 Years removed lets take a look at the 4th round of USFL Draft picks from the 2023 Draft.
24th Overall Michigan Panthers Offensive Lineman D.J. Scaife
Scaife was the Panthers 4th Round Pick after spending 5 years at the University of Miami. After stints with the Dolphins, and Packers, Scaife would find his way to the Texans before a knee injury landed him on season ending injured reserve. Scaife has not been rostered since.
25th Overall Pittsburgh Maulers Defensive Back Ferlando Jordan
Jordan received a RMC workout with the Falcons upon conclusion of the 2023 NFL draft. He’d sign with the Maulers in May appearing in 4 games (2 post season as well) during their championship season. Upon the merger of the XFL and USFL Jordan would spend training camp with the CFL’s Montreal Alouettes in 2024 getting released prior to the CFL season.
26th Overall Houston Gamblers Defensive Lineman Scott Matlock
Matlock would be drafted by the Los Angeles Chargers in the 6th round of the NFL Draft. After serving in a rotational capacity in his rookie year Matlock would transition to Fullback serving in the same role as Patrick Ricard. Matlock finished the 2024 season with 4 receptions on 5 targets for 28 yards and 9 tackles, 1 sack, and one pass deflection. He played 362 snaps on offense, 137 snaps on defense, and 231 snaps on special teams during the 2024 season.
27th Overall Memphis Showboats Defensive Back Benny Sapp III
Sapp was a UDFA by the Packers in 2023 coming out of FCS Northern Iowa. Sapp bounced back and forth on the Packers Active Roster appearing in 5 games in 2023. He’d be waived by Green Bay during training camp of 2024, latching on with the Falcons in December of 2024, signing a futures contract with the team at the end of the season.
28th Overall New Orleans Breakers Running Back Keaton Mitchell
Mitchell was a UDFA out of Eastern Carolina picked up by Ravens in 2023. After starting out on the Ravens injured reserve, Mitchell would make his debut for Baltimore appearing in 8 games and starting 2 for the Ravens. Over the past Two seasons, Mitchell has appeared in 13 games amassing 426 rushing yards, 121 receiving yards, and 156 return yards.
29th Overall Philadelphia Stars Defensive Lineman Truman Jones
Coming from the Ivy League, Jones signed with the Kansas City Chiefs as a UDFA. Jones earned a spot on the Chiefs Practice Squad earning a Super Bowl Ring with the team. Jones would begin 2024 on Kansas City’s Practice Squad once again, eventually signing with the New England Patriots making his pro debut and recording 2 tackles.
30th Overall Birmingham Stallions Wide Receiver Derius Davis
Davis was a 4th round pick by the Chargers and has quickly become one of the NFL’s best specialist since debuting in 2023. Davis has amassed 1836 All-Purpose yards and 3 Touchdowns in his NFL career so far, earning 2nd team All-Pro honors his rookie season.
31st Overall New Jersey Generals Defensive Lineman Victor Jones
After beginning his college career at Wyoming, Jones would finish at Akron. After being unsigned by NFL teams, Jones would sign with the Generals in July of 2023. Jones would go unselected by any UFL teams during the 2024 UFL Dispersal Draft.
Out of the Eight USFL Fourth Round picks Five remain active in professional football. With the 2025 season in full swing there has been limited clarity of the “rights” of unselected players who are in limbo since the dispersal draft and a year of free agency. With the UFL moving forward with a 2024 Rookie Draft it appears that they’ll continue to bring in new talent as the league continues to progress into the future.
