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 about 15 months removed lets take a look at the 1st round of USFL Draft picks from the 2023 Draft.
#1 Overall Michigan Panthers Offensive Tackle Jarrett Horst
Horst a Michigan State alum was the 2nd consecutive USFL #1 Overall pick for the Panthers to play his college ball in Michigan (Panthers took Shea Patterson in 2022). Horst after bouncing around several NFL teams as a UDFA, Horst signed with the Michigan Panthers in September of 2023 while also having his rights claimed by the Orlando Guardians. Currently, Horst remains with the Panthers starting several games, however dealing with injuries throughout the 2024 season. He's been inactive in the UFL for the past Two weeks.
#2 Overall Pittsburgh Maulers Quarterback Lindsay Scott Jr.
After appearing on the CFL's Neg list for the Montreal Alouettes, Scott would be selected by the Pittsburgh Maulers and Houston Roughnecks in the 2023 XFL/USFL Drafts. Scott would sign his LOI with Houston in October of 2023, however during the Dispersal Draft on Jan 5th, Scott would be selected by the Arlington Renegades serving as a "gadget QB" for Bob Stoops in relief of Luis Perez. Going into Week 7 of the UFL season Scott is 4/5 for 35 Yards, while adding 54 Rushing Yards with Two Touchdowns on the ground.
#3 Overall Houston Gamblers Quarterback Chase Brice
With Clayton Thorson not returning and Kenji Bahar an unknown the Gamblers brought selected Chase Brice in hopes of adding some stability to their QB room. Brice would opt for the CFL after garnering little NFL interest and has been a member of the BC Lions since June of 2023. The Gamblers utilized Terry Wilson, Kenji Bahar, and Montell Cozart for the 2023 season finishing the season 5-5.
#4 Overall Memphis Showboats Offensive Tackle Mason Brooks
In an effort to sure up their Offensive Line, a Line that got Jordan Ta'amu absolutely demolished in 2022, the Memphis Showboats selected Mason Brooks as the first draft pick in their rebooted history. Brooks would sign with the Washington Commanders spending the NFL regular season on the 2023 Practice Squad learning the scout team as a Guard and Tackle. Memphis went 5-5 missing the playoffs under then Head Coach Todd Haley.
#5 Overall New Orleans Breakers Wide Receiver Tyler Scott
The Breakers added Tyler Scott to offset the loss of Sal Cannella, along with supplementing a Receiving Corps that rostered Jonathan Adams and Johnnie Dixon. Scott would actually be drafted by the Chicago Bears in the 4th round of the 2023 NFL Draft, appearing in all 17 games recording 17 receptions for 168 yards, while adding another 108 yards on Kick Returns. Scott is still rostered by the Bears, who added Keenan Allen, and Rome Odunze in the offseason.
#6 Overall Philadelphia Stars Offensive Tackle Alfred Edwards
After seeing multiple Quarterbacks in 2022 go down due to injury, the Stars selected Alfred Edwards with the 6th Overall Pick in the 2023 USFL Draft. Edwards would opt not to sign with Philadelphia going undrafted in the 2023 NFL draft. Edwards had tryouts with the Bears and Broncos while also being claimed by the Vegas Vipers, however, has not played football since leaving college.
#7 Overall Birmingham Stallions Offensive Tackle Kadeem Telfort
Telfort was a local prospect who played his college ball at the University of Alabama-Birmingham. Telfort would sign with the Green Bay Packers as a UDFA spending all of 2023 on their Practice Squad with former Stallions QB and USFL MVP Alex McGough. Telfort is still currently on their roster right now as he was signed to a futures deal on January 22nd.
***The New Jersey Generals Forfeited Their 1st Round Pick in the 2023 USFL Draft***
Closing Thoughts:
Out of the Seven USFL First Round picks Six remain active in professional football. With the 2024 season coming to an end, there has been limited clarity of the "rights" of unselected players who are in limbo since the dispersal draft. With Jim Popp recently coming out to state that there will be an off-season draft it is extremely "up in the air" for the players not only selected in the USFL's 2023 Draft but also the 2023 XFL Draft.