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 16 months removed lets take a look at the 3rd round of USFL Draft picks from the 2023 Draft.
#16 Overall Michigan Panthers Linebacker Santrell Latham
Latham was the Panthers first draft pick to appear in game for Michigan, in addition to signing with the team. Latham would go on to appear in One game for Michigan recording Four tackles before being released to make from for DaShaun White. Latham remains active on social media and appears to be “done” playing football at this time.
#17 Overall Pittsburgh Maulers Offensive Lineman Tre’Quan Dorsey
Dorsey signed with the Maulers on March 25th, 2023 prior to the 2023 USFL season. After being inactive for the majority of the season, Dorsey would appear in Three games (starting Two), for the Maulers enroute to their Championship berth. Recently Dorsey was playing in the LFA, with the Monterrey Fundidores.
#18 Overall Houston Gamblers Offensive Lineman Joey Fisher
Fisher has bounced around the NFL since coming out of Division-II Shepherd University. After signing with the 49ers as a UDFA, Fisher would be released spending time with the Steelers, and Browns on their practice squad throughout the 2023 NFL season. On January 17th, Fisher signed a futures deal with the Steelers for the 2024 season. He joins Luq Barcoo (San Antonio Brahmas), Aaron Shampklin (Houston Gamblers), Christian Kuntz (Dallas Renegades), and Matthew Wright (Tampa Bay Vipers), as Spring Football players on the Steelers roster.
#19 Overall Memphis Showboats Defensive Lineman Brevin Allen
Allen was a Chargers UDFA, eventually finding a spot on the Chargers practice squad. Allen would appear in Two games for the Chargers playing 30 snaps. Allen was signed to a futures deal however was released in early May.
#20 Overall New Orleans Breakers Defensive Back D.J. Ivey
Ivey was a 7th round pick by the Bengals earning a spot on the 53-man roster during training camp. Ivey would appear in 8 games for Cincinnati recording 3 Tackles before tearing his ACL against the Vikings at the end of last season finishing the year on Injured Reserve.
#21 Overall Philadelphia Stars Offensive Lineman Issac Moore
Moore was selected by Calgary in the first round (sixth overall) of the global draft in 2023. He attended minicamps with the National Football League’s Green Bay Packers and Seattle Seahawks. Moore would eventually be signed by the Ottawa Redblacks on May 7th and remains with the team during CFL training camp.
#22 Overall Birmingham Stallions Quarterback Malik Cunningham
An Alabama native Cunningham was a UDFA who didn’t even know he was drafted by the Stallions during the process. Eventually Cunningham signed with Patriots on their practice squad before getting signed to the Ravens active roster. Recently, Cunningham switched his position from QB to WR on the Ravens website.
#23 Overall New Jersey Generals Wide Receiver J.J. Holloman
Holloman looked to follow former Tennessee State great Chris Rowland as shifty receivers who are able to contribute to special teams. Holloman would never get that opportunity, over the past year Holloman has spent his time with the IFL’s Quad City Steamrollers in hopes of joining a Spring Football team.
Closing Thoughts:
Out of the Eight USFL Third Round picks Four 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.
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