December 20, 1982
The NFL understood that the fledgling USFL would seek to fill its rosters with veteran free agents and college stars, but even they had to be shocked by the impact the recent USFL Free Agent, College and Territorial Drafts has had. What had been expected to be a trickle of talent away from the senior league has turned out to be a tsunami, and the biggest wave in that tsunami was the signing of a player the NFL refused to allow into its upcoming draft.
Sophomore standout, and perhaps the biggest name in college football, Georgia's Herschel Walker, had tried and failed to gain NFL approval to come out of college after only one year. The USFL had no such qualms about the prospect of signing such a huge draw, and yesterday in NYC it was announced that Walker would indeed make the jump to the upstart league, signing a 4 year contract with the New Jersey Generals.
The Walker signing alone was enough to send the NFL into a nervous frenzy, but when you add on the numerous top draft prospects who have opted to sign with the USFL instead of waiting for April's NFL Draft, the established league has to feel like it has been gut punched. In addition to Walker, the USFL has signed one of the best WR prospects in years in Michigan's Anthony Carter (Panthers), Ohio State's stud RB Tim Spencer (Blitz), SMU rusher Craig James (Federals), Southern Miss signal caller Reggie Collier (Stallions) and Arkansas back Gary Anderson (Bandits). On the defensive side, the names may not be as well known, but it is clear that players such as Buckeye linebacker Marcus Marek, Wisconsin safety David Greenwood, and Louisville corner Frank Minnifield, will be missed by the NFL come this April. Whether it is rookies like BYU center Bart Oates, or NFL veterans like Lions LB Stan White (Blitz), former Packer DT Kit Lathrop, or former Saint & Bengals DB Clarence Chapman, the NFL will be hurt by the lack of depth.
The USFL has taken the first steps towards becoming a real challenge to the NFL, and if their strategy of signing college players, including sophomores, continues in future years, they could pose a significant rival to the more-established league. They may not have raided NFL rosters this year, but the signing of Walker, and so many top NCAA stars, has clearly sent a shot across the bow of the NFL.
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