USA Today, December 8, 1987
As the USFL gears up for their 6th season, once again the unique process of the league’s two-tier draft system has returned as the league’s 20 clubs try to fill gaps, add depth, and sign future stars in the college ranks. The process used by the USFL is a complex one, a system made more challenging by the fact that many collegiate players are still preparing for late December or January bowl games, are unable to sign agents yet, and are weighing their options between accepting a USFL contract or declining the spring league to await the NFL draft.
That last consideration is a major one for the USFL as each year a solid 50% of their drafted players opt to defer a decision and await the NFL draft. Once that decision is made it is nearly impossible for the USFL to sign them. And yet, despite this challenge, the USFL has made a name for itself by signing top collegiate talent each year, beginning with the early signing of HB Herschel Walker after only 2 years at Georgia, and continuing through the signings of two more Heisman winners (Mike Rozier and Doug Flutie) and major talents such as QBs Steve Young, Jim Kelly, Tony Eason and Chris Miller.
But the league has not signed a Heisman Winner since Doug Flutie, and after missing out on potential stars like Vinnie Testaverde and Bo Jackson, many are concerned that there is a growing reluctance of top tier NCAA players to sign early with the spring league. Will this year be the year when some of the top prospects are wooed to the younger league? Are the USFL teams, some now just beginning to see profits for the first time, willing to spend what it might take to sign the biggest stars from the college ranks? And with the NFL finally rising out of labor strife with the signing of a new CBA and the end to its 6 week players strike, how will players choose between the two leagues? All that is on the table as the USFL completed their Territorial Draft this week and prepares for their Open Draft on Saturday.
Let’s begin our look at the USFL Collegiate Draft with a review of the Territorial Picks, as teams scramble to try to sign top players from their allotted feeder schools. Here are the prominent names chosen in the 5 rounds of the Territorial Draft.
ARIZONA (Arizona, ASU, Utah)
WR Aaron Cox, DE Shawn Patterson, G Randall McDaniel, G Todd Kalis,
BALTIMORE (Maryland, NC State, UNC)
WR Azizuddin Abdur-Ra'Oof, TE Ferrell Edmunds, LB Kevin Walker, NT Tim Goad
BIRMINGHAM (Alabama, Auburn, Miss. State)
LB Aundray Bruce, HB Bo Wright, DE Robert Goff, LB Kurt Crain
CHICAGO (Notre Dame, Illinois, Indiana)
WR Tim Brown, DE Scott Davis, CB Keith Traylor, G Eric Moore
DENVER (Colorado, BYU, Nebraska)
DE Neil Smith, DT David Futrell, CB Rodney Thomas
HOUSTON (Texas A&M, Houston, TCU)
HB Keith Woodside, S Kip Corrington, LB David Spradlin
JACKSONVILLE (FSU, Georgia, Wake Forest)
CB Martin Mayhew, TE Pat Carter, LB Paul McGowan, HB Darryl McGill
LOS ANGELES (USC, UCLA, San Diego St.)
HB Gaston Green, LB Ken Norton Jr., HB Mel Farr Jr., LB Marcus Cotton
MEMPHIS (Tennessee, Arkansas, Vanderbilt)
WR Anthony Miller, WR Carl Parker, OT Joey Howard
MICHIGAN (Michigan, Michigan State, Purdue)
HB Lorenzo White, OT John Elliott, LB Tim Moore
NEW JERSEY (Syracuse, Rutgers, BC)
DT Ted Gregory, LB Bill Romanowski, G Dave Widell, TE Pat Kelly
NEW ORLEANS (LSU, Tulane, Ole Miss)
LB Jeff Herrod, WR Sammie Martin, CB Kevin Guidry
OAKLAND (Cal, Stanford, Fresno State)
LB Ken Harvey, FB Brad Muster, WR Jeff James
ORLANDO (Miami, Clemson, Duke)
WR Michael Irvin, LB George Mira, LB Danny Stubbs, T Matt Patchan
PHILADELPHIA (Penn State, Temple, Ohio State)
QB/P Tom Tupa, WR Ray Roundtree, TE Alex Higdon, HB George Cooper
PITTSBURGH (Pitt, West Virginia, Kentucky)
HB Robert Delpino, CB Quintin Jones, DE Jeff Cross, DE David Grant
PORTLAND (Oregon, Oregon St., Washington)
QB Chris Chandler, G Brian Habib, DT Rollin Putzier, LB Tom Erlindson
TAMPA BAY (Florida, Georgia Tech, So. Carolina)
G Bob Sims, CB Sammy Lilly, LB Clifford Charlton, CB Norman Floyd
TEXAS (Texas, Texas Tech, Baylor)
C Paul Jetton, CB Eric Everett, S John Hagy
WASHINGTON (Virginia, Va Tech, Iowa)
QB Scott Secules, HB Kevin Harmon, LB Victor Jones
The USFL’s track record shows that perhaps 1-2 of these players will sign with the USFL per team. The league has a bit of a better track record with the open draft, as this is more competitive so teams tend to do deeper research into who is open to signing early and who is leaning towards the NFL. That said, it is still only about a 60% signing rate in a good year. But, hope springs eternal, and the 20 USFL clubs have to do their best to sign talent in key areas of need. As we make our predictions for the first round of the 6 round USFL Open Draft, we look at team need and the best talent available, regardless of the potential to sign the players. Based on what each team needs, this is how we would call the first round.
PICK 1: CHICAGO MACHINE
NEEDS: Almost everything. HB, WR, DL, LB, OL, DB
SITUATION: While Chicago’s defense was plucky last year, the offense was an unmitigated disaster. The Machine used 3 different QB’s last year, but did not have enough talent around them to provide any offensive punch. Todd Blackledge is gone, so it is down to one of the 2 second year players at QB, Chuck Long or Steve Beurlein to get things going. The Machine have a lot of needs, but an upgrade at wideout and at halfback should be at the top of their list going into the draft.
WHO THEY MIGHT PICK: WR Sterling Sharpe, South Carolina. There are three top tier receivers in the draft, and of the three (Michael Irvin, Tim Brown and Sharpe), the Gamecock product seems the most likely to sign on early with the USFL and is the only one not scooped up in the Territorial Draft.
PICK 2: PORTLAND THUNDER
NEEDS: Again, name a position. QB, HB, WR, OL, DL, LB, CB
SITUATION: Portland definitely got the worst of the Outlaw-Gunslinger merger, with most of the top Outlaw players sent to the new Texas Outlaws. The biggest hole is at QB, where the retirement of Rick Neuheisel leaves Portland with major need at the position and no help from the free agency pool.
WHO THEY MIGHT PICK: Having chosen Chris Chandler to hopefully fill the QB hole, the Thunder could go RB here and look at either John Stephens (NW State) or Ickey Woods (UNLV).
PICK 3: PITTSBURGH MAULERS
NEEDS: Defensive help. DE, MLB, SS,
SITUATION: The Maulers have a stud RB and they seem to have their QB room settled after adding former Philly backup Jeff Hostetler to challenge Alan Risher. They now need to address their defense. But after losing wideout John Jefferson, they might go for a wideout here as well.
WHO THEY MIGHT PICK: Early money has them looking at LB Aundray Bruce, but don’t be surprised if they go with another stud at LB in Ohio State’s Eric Kumerow. Again, local players tend to boost ticket sales, so this would not surprise us.
PICK 4: TEXAS OUTLAWS
NEEDS: S, DE, OT, LB
SITUATION: Thanks to the merger of San Antonio and Oklahoma, the Outlaws have solid talent at the offensive skill positions. They need to strengthen the Tackle position to help out Doug Williams, and they need to develop a solid defensive core.
WHO THEY MIGHT PICK: With Neil Smith picked in the T-Draft, don’t be surprised if they go for a safety like Bennie Blades here.
PICK 5: ARIZONA WRANGLERS
NEEDS: DE, OL, CB
SITUATION: Arizona has their QB, HB and WRs set, we think, but they need to be more explosive all across the line, and they need to be able to rush the passer. There is a lot of talent in those key positions so this could be a good spot to trade down and pick up some extra picks to fill in that O-line.
WHO THEY MIGHT PICK: They opted to select ASU’s Shawn Patterson at DE in the Territorial Draft, which frees them up to look at O-line here. If so, we like USC’s Dave Cadigan at guard.
PICK 6: ORLANDO RENEGADES
NEEDS: WR, TE, OL, FB, LB
SITUATION: Orlando made quite a few moves in free agency, but we still think that they might not be done trying to boost that offense. Signing John Jefferson was huge, and FB Ted Torosian is a stud, but they may still try to add more firepower early in the draft.
WHO THEY MIGHT PICK: With the top 3 receivers off the table, and if they don’t add another skill player, then perhaps look for a big tackle like Wisconsin’s Paul Gruber.
PICK 7: BALTIMORE BLITZ
NEEDS: DE, S, G, TE
SITUATION: It was clear last year how much the Blitz miss DE Junior Ah You. They need to find ways to improve the pass rush without him. There are several good DE in this year’s draft, so that should be a priority.
WHO THEY MIGHT PICK: They have to go DE, right? So Hawaii’s Al Noga or Illinois’ Mike Piel are the options.
PICK 8: LOS ANGELES EXPRESS
NEEDS: HB, LB, OT, S
SITUATION: Losing Tony Boddie to the NFL hurts, but with Christian Okoye looking like the man at HB, the Express need to bolster the tackle position to help spring the Nigerian Nightmare into the 2nd level of the defense. They also need to address the defense, particularly at LB and SS. Lots of options here.
WHO THEY MIGHT PICK: If he is there, they could go for Aundray Bruce. But they already picked Marcus Cotton in the T-Draft. SO then go for Bennie Blades or a tackle in this round.
PICK #9: JACKSONVILLE BULLS
NEEDS: DE, DT, LB, WR, HB
SITUATION: While most observers like to blame the ongoing QB controversy for Jacksonville’s decline last year, they ought to be looking at the D-line as the main culprit. With little pass rush and uneven run coverage, Jacksonville simply could not stop enough folks. Yes, they need to settle Chris Miller in with some additional weapons, but they need to fix the D-line first.
WHO THEY MIGHT PICK: If Michael Dean Perry is there, I think the Bulls will go there. But if they crave pass rush, either Jon Carter or (if available) Scott Davis of Illinois.
PICK #10: MEMPHIS SHOWBOATS
NEEDS: WR, TE, S, DT, LB
SITUATION: Mike Kelly electrified fans in Memphis with his late season play, but other than the ageless Mel Gray, who did he have to throw to? Memphis needs to get some playmakers on offense. They also need to fix a hole at safety and add some depth elsewhere on defense as well.
WHO THEY MIGHT PICK: Having taken WR Anthony Miller with the T-draft pick, they may have solved a need at WR, or they may need to take another for insurance. However, if they are smart they will invest in a big TE to help Kelley out. If they think they can sign him, they should jump on Oklahoma’s Keith Jackson.
PICK #11: NEW ORLEANS BREAKERS
NEEDS: DE, LB, T, G, QB, HB
SITUATION: New Orleans believes that the combo of Matt Robinson and CFL import Matt Dunigan solves their QB issue. We are not so sure, but this is not a dynamic QB group in this draft, so maybe they stand pat. Looking at their other needs, they have a lot of flexibility to go with best player available.
WHO THEY MIGHT PICK: Maybe they go after big Wisconsin tackle Paul Gruber or Auburn’s Stacy Searles, or flip to defense and grab a top LB or DE if the value is good.
PICK #12: WASHINGTON FEDERALS
NEEDS: G, HB, LB, CB
SITUATION: Washington has slowly built a pretty solid roster, so despite being in the middle of the pack, they don’t have a lot of glaring needs. If there is a stud HB they love, that might be good insurance for Craig James. If not, then perhaps filling some of the holes at guard would be best.
WHO THEY MIGHT PICK: If I had to guess, and with the tight-mouthed folks in DC, I have little to go on, I would say they go guard here. If they want a sure thing (signing wise) they could look at Michigan State’s David Houle.
PICK #13: TAMPA BAY BANDITS
NEEDS: HB, CB, T, QB, LB
SITUATION: Tampa’s starters are solid but the lack of depth at a few positions is problematic. We are not sure about Oliver Luck behind Reaves, and with the loss of Greg Boone, someone is needed who can complement and sub for Gary Anderson.
WHO THEY MIGHT PICK: Having taken a lot of defensive players in the T-Draft, they might look to fill their gap at HB or backup QB here. We are still somewhat surprised they passed on Florida’s Kerwin Bell, so maybe they have their eyes on someone else, like Syracuse’s Don McPherson. If it is a HB, we like Oklahoma’s Lydell Carr.
PICK #14: MICHIGAN PANTHERS
NEEDS: T, C, DE, DT, LB, S
SITUATION: This is not a hands-players draft for Michigan. Their defense slipped quite a bit last year, and they lost a couple of key players in free agency, so expect a lot of attention on the defense, and some on the o-line too.
WHO THEY MIGHT PICK: IF they feel good about signing OT John Elliott from Michigan, then in the open draft, they could also stick with O-line at first or could try to sign a top safety like Oregon’s Anthony Newman.
PICK #15: OAKLAND INVADERS
NEEDS: HB, LB, QB, OL, DL
SITUATION: The Invaders lost 3 leaders this offseason. Both Gary Plummer and Brian Sipe retired, while Arthur Whittington, the face of the franchise, is now a Miami Dolphin. They think they have replaced Whittington with former Showboat Richard Williams, and they have been grooming Gale Gilbert to take over for Sipe, so the biggest hole left is at LB.
WHO THEY MIGHT PICK: They had of the best LB’s in the nation in their backyard. Cal’s Ken Harvey is a prime option and was a no-brainer pick in the Territorial Draft. But is he signable? If they go outside their territory for a LB, look at Ohio State’s Chris Spielman, a plug and play MLB for a team that needs that position to be solid.
PICK #16: NEW JERSEY GENERALS
NEEDS: OL, LB, TE, WR
SITUATION: 1987 was an unexpected year for the Generals. Despite still having a shaky WR corps, they managed to greatly improve their pass game, and after years of mediocrity, the Generals D rose up and was able to keep NJ in games even when Walker went down to injury. Now they need to add depth and maybe just a bit more punch on both sides of the ball.
WHO THEY MIGHT PICK: If Oakland passes on Spielman, New Jersey should not. They need his type of hard-nosed hitting in the defense to start to gain some respect and to help hold down the running game.
PICK #17: BIRMINGHAM STALLIONS
NEEDS: G, TE, DL, DB
SITUATION: After starting 0-4, a different Stallions team emerged. The Stalliions have a core of quality at the skill positions, though a good TE to help out Cliff Stoudt would be wise. They need to add some depth at both the D-line and in the backfield.
WHO THEY SHOULD PICK: If Keith Jackson is there, he would be perfect for the Stallions. If not, perhaps they look at some help in the defensive backfield. Philadelphia proved that the Stallions defense was not quite ready for prime time, so some help deep would be a good move. If they go DB, there are a lot of players to choose from. It would not surprise us if they went with Eric Allen (ASU) or Terry Williams (Bethune-Cookman).
PICK #18: DENVER GOLD
NEEDS: T, C, DT, LB, WR
SITUATION: Denver was something of a stealthy good team last year. Not much media but a lot of wins before losing to Houston in the Conference Finals. They don’t have the biggest names on the roster, but they have quality and depth. They have some players to replace this offseason, including at LB and the O-Line. That will likely be their focus.
WHO THEY MIGHT PICK: Denver can play the “BPA” game and decide between several positions in each round. Their Territorial schools don’t often get them flashy players, but there are usually some solid finds at BYU and Colorado, especially on the lines. As for their first round pick, expect them to go for a character player, likely on Defense, because the depth is not quite a solid there as on the line. We don’t expect Denver to move up or down, so someone like a Scott Davis (DE), Ted Gregory (NT), or Danny Stubbs (LB-Miami) should be available.
PICK #19: HOUSTON GAMBLERS
NEEDS: HB, DT, G, TE, WR
SITUATION: Houston’s defense became all the rage last year, but they could still use depth on the line. That will likely be a late round pick for them. The glaring need is at halfback. Todd Fowler is the only significant contributor left after Lynn Cain retired and Steve Howell signed with Philly. We expect that Houston will try to fill this need with multiple picks, starting in round one.
WHO THEY SHOULD PICK: If you are looking at Round 1 halfbacks, then expect them to take a serious look at Northwestern State’s John Stephens and UNLV’s Icky Woods. Woods is a pounder, Stephens a one-cut guy, but neither are going to help the pass game much. If they want a multi-dimensional back they should give a look to OK State’s Thurman Thomas.
PICK #20: PHILADELPHIA STARS
NEEDS: TE, DB, WR, G
SITUATION: League champions rarely have gaping holes in their roster, but the unexpected retirement of TE Steve Folsom sure leaves one in the Philly roster. They will likely want to bolster the CB slot as well, and it never hurts to load up on capable linemen.
WHO THEY MIGHT PICK: If Oklahoma TE Keith Jackson is available and willing to join the USFL, Philly would be insane to pass him up. But let’s assume he is not. Then what? Who is the next best TE, and is he worth a 1st round pick. Ohio State’s Alex Higdon is the next up, but should be available at the bottom of the 2nd round. If Philly waits on TE, their next option might be to sign a top level CB like Ricky Dixon (OU), Terry McDaniel (Tennessee), Eric Allen (ASU), or Quintin Jones (Pitt).
As always the USFL draft is complex. Some top players came off the board during the Territorial Draft, others will forego the USFL entirely and wait for the NFL Draft. Some teams will likely have to overpay to attract top talent. So much depends on the players’ perception of the USFL and their willingness to bypass the NFL draft, sign early, and commit to the new league. And all of this before some of them even complete their final year bowl game or sign an agent. It’s a lot, and it is one of the reasons why the USFL draft is even more of a shot in the dark than other pro drafts.