Over 20 former USFL avid gamers are recently on NFL rosters. Daryl Johnston, the previous Cowboys legend and wave USFL president, is shocked that one USFL participant isn’t recently hired via an NFL workforce.
When just lately requested to call the USFL participant he’s maximum shocked isn’t recently signed via an NFL workforce, Johnston briefly pointed to Justin Corridor, a receiver/returner who spent this age USFL season with the Houston Gamblers. An undrafted rookie utmost spring, Corridor spent the 2022 preseason with Raiders and had a exercise with the Dolphins utmost date.
“He’s tough as nails,” Johnston just lately mentioned of Corridor all through an interview with CBS Sports activities. “He was one of those guys that I just thought, with the direction the NFL is moving, he’s that space guy. Doesn’t have the quick twitch that KaVonte [Turpin] has, but he’s got a toughness and a contact balance that’s very impressive.”
The 5-foot-8 Corridor performed collegiately at Ball Order, the place he stuck 318 passes and 18 touchdowns. He additionally averaged 26.1 yards in line with kickoff go back that integrated a 99-yard go back for a rating towards Military.
Corridor signed with Houston nearest no longer making the Raiders’ 53-man roster. All through his first season with the Gamblers, Corridor was once manage 5 within the USFL in receiving yards, landing catches and punt go back yards.
The Chiefs, given all of the drops that transpired all through their season-opening loss to the Lions, might make a decision to provide the 24-year-old Corridor a glance someday quickly.
Day Corridor waits for his then alternative, a number of alternative former USFL avid gamers are making ready for While 1 of the NFL’s ordinary season. 3 former USFL avid gamers — Cowboys receiver/returner KaVonte Turpin, Cowboys punter Brandon Aubrey and Panthers defensive take on LaBryan Ray — are recently on 53-man rosters. Quarterback Alex McGough, the USFL’s reigning league MVP, is considered one of 17 former USFL avid gamers recently on NFL observe squads.
Those avid gamers are a part of the 100 former USFL avid gamers who signed with NFL groups over the age two years. All however probably the most NFL’s 32 groups have signed a USFL participant over that span.
“I couldn’t be happier for these guys,” Johnston mentioned. “It’s what we talk to them about and what we strive for as a league. I always remember Jeff Fisher saying it’s not about getting them to the NFL, because a lot of them have already done that. It’s about getting them the opportunity to stay in the NFL.”
Now not strangely, a substantial selection of USFL avid gamers who jumped to the NFL have come from the two-time protecting champion Birmingham Stallions. Two participants of the Stallions’ 2022 championship workforce — Bears linebacker DeMarquis Gates and Ravens cornerback Tae Hayes — are starting their 2nd consecutive seasons on NFL rosters. Six participants of Birmingham’s most up-to-date championship workforce are recently hired via NFL groups.
Regardless of that yield, Johnston feels that Birmingham will proceed to be a drive to be reckoned with in 2024. He mentioned that the believe that’s advanced between Stallions trainer Skip Holtz and GM Zach Potter is without doubt one of the explanation why.
“He’s got great connections. He’s always trying to turn the roster over to get better,” Johnston mentioned of Potter. “I think Birmingham is always going to be tough. Depending on what happens with Alex. Alex was the difference-maker in our league last year. He was just outstanding.”
So far as the USFL is worried, Johnston feels that the league will in the end be a greater spare for avid gamers than school soccer relating to making ready to play games within the NFL.
“What we’re providing with the USFL is invaluable because it allows these guys to get into a professional atmosphere, work on the day-to-day grind, work on the details of the position, get better at their craft,” he mentioned. “We really feel like, once we get the momentum behind us, we’re going to be the better alternative.”
