How Did the 2022 USFL Quarterbacks Fare Two Years Later?
by Pat Rifino
Almost two years ago fans of Alt-Football rejoiced in February of 2022 as the USFL returned for its 2nd go around, this time owned and operated by FOX. Two years later the USFL looked extremely different, specifically the signal callers who were supposed to be the “face” of the franchise. Moving into the 3rd season of the USFL let's take a look back at how those draft picks fared going into 2024.
Michigan Panthers:
Shea Patterson University of Michigan Round 1 Pick 1
USFL Stats: 1020 Passing Yds 4 TDs 5 Ints, 176 Rushing Yds 2 TDs
Patterson’s time in the USFL may have been met with less than desirable results but the former Michigan Star played a bit better than his stat line indicated. In the end Patterson was released mid season in favor of Paxton Lynch, Josh Love, and Eric Barriere to finish the 2022 season. Moving forward Patterson would finish 2022 with the New Orleans Breakers and in 2023 would join the CFL’s Saskatchewan Roughriders.
Paxton Lynch University of Memphis Round 12 Pick 101
USFL Stats: 550 Passing Yds 5 TDs 4 Ints, 74 Rushing Yds 2 TDs
Lynch was the last pick of Day 1 during the 2022 USFL draft, serving as a back up to Shea Patterson. While Lynch was far from elite the 2016 First Round pick closed his 2022 season out with a bang, with a win over the Pittsburgh Maulers enroute to earning Week 10 Offensive Player of the Week Honors. In 2023, Lynch joined the XFL spending time with the Orlando Guardians and San Antonio Brahmas.
Tampa Bay Bandits:
Jordan Ta’amu Ole Miss Round 1 Pick 2
USFL Stats: 2,014 Passing Yds 14 TDs 12 Ints, 365 Rushing Yds 1 TD
Ta’amu since his days with the Battlehawks in the XFL 2.0, came to the USFL in an attempt to put together a full slate of games en route to another NFL opportunity. Ta’amu did just that en route to leading the USFL in Passing Yards and Passing Touchdowns in 2022. Since his time in the USFL, Ta’amu went to the XFL 3.0 joining the DC Defenders leading them to the XFL championship en route to a stint with the Minnesota Vikings in August.
Brady White University of Memphis Round 12 Pick 100
USFL Stats: 382 Passing Yds 2 TDs 3 Ints, 38 Rushing Yds 0 TDs
White played sparingly in 2022 before getting the nod in 2023. White never lived up to the hype as the USFL ushered in the Showboats in 2023 only starting two games before Cole Kelley took over. So far White remains unsigned leaving both 2022 QBs no longer on the roster.
Philadelphia Stars:
Bryan Scott Occidental College Round 1 Pick 3
USFL Stats: 558 Passing Yds 5 TDs 2 Ints, 23 Rushing Yds 0 TDs
The “Aaron Rodgers of Division III” had been playing in the Spring League for years along with some stints in the CFL. Scott would link back up with Bart Andrus and began firing on all cylinders before a gruesome leg injury ended his 2022 prematurely. Since then Scott spent some time in the XFL before getting released and finding a spot up north with the Argos.
Case Cookus Northern Arizona University Round 12 Pick 99
USFL Stats: 3629 Passing Yds 27 TDs 14 Ints, 494 Rushing Yds 1 TD
Cookus was thrown into emergency duty upon an injury to Bryan Scott in Week 3 of 2022. Since then Cookus has been the face of “Philadelphia” leading the team to a championship in 2022. Despite injuries and uninspired Offensive Line play in 2023 Cookus Cookus managed to throw for over 2,000 Yards and 15 TDs, and is closing in on 4,000 career yards along with 30 Passing TDs in his alt-football career.
New Jersey Generals:
Ben Holmes Tarleton State University Round 1 Pick 4
USFL Stats: None
Holmes was set to tear the league up prior to a foot injury. Since his release from the USFL, Holmes has won a Grey Cup with the Argos and is now on his way to Austria to join the Vienna Vikings.
De’Andre Johnson Texas Southern University Round 12 Pick 98
USFL Stats: 1,712 Passing Yds 6 TDs 4 Ints, 671 Rushing Yds 6 TDs
The Last Chance U star took the reigns after Ben Holmes was released, splitting time with Luis Perez in 2022. In 2023 Johnson took a larger step in the Generals Offense becoming the primary QB1 if not for several injuries throughout the season. Overall Johnson hasn’t been an elite passer, but his rushing ability continues to keep USFL teams on their toes. Right now Johnson remains unsigned going into 2024.
Houston Gamblers:
Clayton Thorson Northwestern University Round 1 Pick 5
USFL Stats: 997 Passing Yds 10 TDs 7 Ints, 66 Rushing Yds 1 TD
Thorson got off to a hot start in 2022 before an injury ended his season after Seven games. Thorson was not tendered in 2023 however did work out for several teams in the NFL. Per his agency, Thorson is not retired.
Kenji Bahar Monmouth University Round 12 Pick 97
USFL Stats: 2253 Passing Yds 10 TDs 11 Ints, 155 Rushing Yds 0 TD
After Clayton Thorson’s injury, the Bahar took over the Gamblers starting the next 12 out of 13 games since 2022. While not the most dynamic player Bahar did stabilize the Gamblers offense allowing the Gamblers ground game to lead the way over the past two seasons. Bahar was re-signed on September 30th for his 3rd season in the USFL with the Gamblers.
Birmingham Stallions:
Alex McGough Florida International University Round 1 Pick 6
USFL Stats: 2565 Passing Yds 23 TDs Ints 8 Ints, 534 Rushing Yds 8 TDs
While it took a minute, after an injury-riddled 2022, paved the wave for a dynamic 2023 that earned him an MVP award, 3 Player of the Week honors, and an All-USFL selection. McGough was everything and more for the Stallions in 2023, and even in 2022 filling in to lead Birmingham to a Championship during the inaugural season. In addition to his accomplishments in the regular season, McGough also added 10 Touchdowns in 3 Playoff Games. Currently, McGough is on the Packers Practice Squad awaiting an opportunity with his 4th NFL team.
J’Mar Smith Louisiana Tech University Round 12 Pick 96
USFL Stats: 1733 Passing Yds 11 TDs 7 Ints, 192 Rushing Yds 2 TDs
It was a bit of a role reversal in 2023 with Smith being the injured QB during Week 1 and McGough getting the nod, regardless Smith was resigned to lead Birmingham in 2024 setting up another year with his College Head Coach Skip Holtz. Smith continues to be a stabilizing force for Birmingham for the foreseeable future.
Pittsburgh Maulers:
Kyle Lauletta University of Richmond Round 1 Pick 7
USFL Stats: 685 Passing Yds 3 TD 3 Ints, 43 Rushing Yds 1 TD
Lauletta floundered around the NFL before his opportunity to be QB1 with the Maulers came around. Unfortunately after 5 games, Lauletta was released by Head Coach Kirby Wilson leading to an opportunity in “New Jersey” to back up Luis Perez and DeAndre Johnson in 2022. In 2023 Lauletta would get an opportunity to throw his first professional Touchdown only to be released before the end of the season. Recently Lauletta announced he was retiring via his Instagram putting an end to his football career.
Josh Love San Jose State Round 12 Pick 95
USFL Stats: 2347 Passing Yds 17 Passing TDs 14 Ints, 81 Yds 0 TDs
Love surprised a lot of USFL fans with his week One start. After a couple of starts in 2022 Love was released only to be claimed by Panthers as a much better fit in Eric Marty’s offense. In 2023 Love once again surprised USFL fans with not the fact he was starting but the fact he was earning accolades multiple times throughout the 2023 season. Currently Love remains a Free Agent after several NFL workouts during the summer of 2023.
New Orleans Breakers:
Kyle Sloter Northern Colorado University Round 1 Pick 8
USFL Stats: 1798 Passing Yds 9 TDs 11 Ints, 54 Rushing Yards 1 TD
One of the greatest Preseason QBs in NFL history, Sloter finally got an opportunity to showcase his skillset in the USFL. Sloter got off to a hot start in 2022 which led many voters to gain favor in his All-USFL selection. After the season Sloter spent some time with the Jacksonville Jaguars spending preseason with the team, en route to his time in the XFL. Despite being favored and viewed as a “top” QB in the XFL Sloter disappointed ultimately returning to the USFL as the Birmingham Stallions QB3 en route to their 2nd consecutive championship. Sloter remains under contract with Birmingham currently going into 2024.
Zach Smith University of Tulsa Round 12 Pick 94
USFL Stats: 134 Passing Yds 2 TDs 2 Ints, 54 Rushing Yds 0 TDs
Smith was a bit of a mystery coming into the USFL as the Tulsa QB had no experience in the Arena Leagues, Spring Leagues or NFL. Smith found his way to the USFL after a successful workout in the ‘HUB Camps” becoming Kyle Sloter’s backup along with Shea Patterson. Smith would be released by the Breakers prior to the 2023 season as New Orleans brought in Davis Cheek, Aqeel Glass, and McLeod Bethel-Thompson. Per Source Smith had another workout at one of the last “HUB Camps” however looks to be done with Football.
