Alt-Football’s Top 10 Receivers

by Pat Rifino

Another Top 10 list! After going through the archives here at The Markcast® we were able to compile a list of all the Top 10 receivers over the XFL (1.0 and 2.0), USFL, TSL, AAF, and UFL. So far we’ve been able to compile years upon years of stats to break down this list. While some may argue CFL, and NFL-Europe should be included, there has not been a central consolidated database to organize all these leagues together.

Below is the list of the TOP-10 career receiving yards for the above-mentioned leagues:

Tied-10. Alonzo Moore: Currently Playing for the New Jersey Generals (USFL) 693 Yards

Past Teams: Seattle Dragons (XFL 2.0), San Antonio Commanders (AAF)

Moore has been in pro football circles since 2017 after bouncing around with the Chiefs early in his career. After stints with the Commanders and Dragons, Moore came into his own in the USFL (2022) being a part of the league's most dynamic offense. His 365 receiving yards for the Generals was good for 12th in the league, despite being at times the 3rd or 4th option in the Generals’ offense. Moore looks to return in 2023 for the Generals as the top option with Darrius Shepherd and KaVontae Turpin no longer with the league.

Tied-10. Nelson Spruce: Currently not signed with a team 693 Yards

Past Teams: LA Wildcats (XFL 2.0), San Diego Fleet (AAF)

Spruce was an all-conference receiver at Colorado, before signing with the AAF after failed attempts with the Rams, Chargers, Bears, and Chiefs. Spruce took the AAF by storm totaling 426 yards, and in three games with the Wildcats totaled 267 yards. Despite only playing in 11 Alt-League games, Spruce managed to crack our top 10 in receiving yards. After getting cut with the Alouettes of the CFL Spruce has not managed to show back up in the Alt-Football space.

8. Jermaine Copeland: Retired 755 Yards

Past Teams: Los Angeles Xtreme (XFL 1.0)

Copeland who later became a CFL all-star started his career with the Barcelona Dragons, and Los Angeles Xtreme of the XFL 1.0. Copeland was a top receiver for the champion Xtreme, partnering with Tommy Maddox to combine for a dynamic combo in 2001. After his lone season in the XFL, Copeland earned three CFL all-star selections, retired in 2011, and is currently a receivers coach for the Saskatchewan Roughriders since 2015.

7. Taye Biddle: Retired 763 Yards

Past Teams: Florida Tuskers (UFL), Sacramento Mountain Lions (UFL)

Biddle was an undrafted free agent out of Ole Miss, before joining the UFL. Biddle would bounce between Panthers, Bucs, Lions, and Giants before finally joining the UFL. Biddle became a top receiver in the UFL and managed to earn another NFL opportunity in 2010 with the Vikings in 2010. Upon final cuts, Biddle found himself back in the UFL with the Sacramento Mountain Lions and enjoyed another successful season. Biddle would then have stints in the CFL, and AFL before ending his football career in 2012. 

6. D’Andrae Thurman: Retired 769 Yards

Past Teams: Las Vegas Locomotives (UFL 2009-2012)

Thurman is the UFL’s all-time leading receiver who had a bit of background prior to his UFL career. The Southern Oregon product recorded 9 receptions, 104 receiving yards, 248 return yards in the NFL, and 40 receptions for 426 yards in the CFL. Thurman would thrive as a member in Vegas winning two championships. Upon the folding of the UFL, Thurman continued to thrive in the Arena Leagues, playing seven more seasons, recording 288 receptions, 3,483 Yards, and 69 Touchdowns.

5. Rashad Ross: Currently with the San Diego Fleet (IFL) 776 Yards

Past Teams: Arizona Hotshots (AAF), LA Wildcats/DC Defenders (XFL 2.0)

Ross was THE GUY in the AAF for John Wolford and the Hotshots. The Arizona State product was bouncing around nine NFL teams, with limited playtime before making his statement in the Alt-Leagues. Ross led the AAF in touchdowns (7), before the league folded. Ross would have another shot with the Panthers in 2019, before transitioning to the XFL for their 2020 season. Ross would add another 193 yards during his XFL stint before, having an attempt in CFL getting cut in 2021 by the Alouettes. Currently, Ross is playing arena ball in the IFL, with a draft invite for the XFL 3.0 for 2023.

4. KaVontae Turpin: Currently with the Dallas Cowboys (NFL) 780 Yards

Past Teams: TSL Sea Lions, New Jersey Generals (USFL)

Turpin has been around the block a couple of times. The USFL MVP had some character issues coming out of TCU which made him a UDFA in 2019. The current Cowboy, spent time with the Frisco Fighters (IFL), Glacier Boyz (FCF), jumped to The Spring League, and even had a stint in Poland playing for the Wrolcow Panthers. It wasn’t until his shot with the Generals in the USFL that people took notice of his skill set. Totaling almost 1,000 All-purpose yards (580 receiving) Turpin was the leading receiver for the USFL. After the season he was awarded a three-year contract, with the Cowboys where right now he is the main returner and is consistently seeing offensive snaps.

3. Charles Jordan: Retired 823 Yards

Past Teams: Memphis Maniax (XFL 1.0)

Jordan had a scattered path before pro football. After leaving Long Beach City College, Jordan would be associated with gangs, before attending an open try-out in 1993. Jordan played in seven seasons before joining the XFL’s Memphis Maniax in 2001. His 823 yards put him in the TOP-5. After the XFL, Jordan would not continue his pro career.

2. Stepfret Williams: Retired 882 Yards

Past Teams: Birmingham Thunderbolts (XFL 1.0)

Williams was a 3rd round pick in 1996 prior to the XFL. During his NFL career, he appeared in 26 games recording 37 receptions 421 Yards, and 2 touchdowns. Upon getting cut by the Chargers in 2000, Williams joined the XFL (1.0) where he was the leading receiver in receptions and yards. Upon the completion of the XFL season, Williams retired.

1.Reece Horn: Currently with the Frankfurt Galaxy (ELF) 982 Yards

Past Teams: Memphis Express (AAF), Tampa Bay Vipers (XFL 2.0), TSL Linemen 

Horn is an Alt-League legend playing in eight football leagues for 10 teams in his career. Horn started in the NFL as a UDFA, before going to Italy and Austria in their countries’ football leagues. A stint in the AAF (429 Yards) with the Express allowed to showcase his skills for the NFL as he joined the Dolphins in 2019. Upon getting cut from the NFL, Horn joined the XFL (2.0) with the Tampa Bay Vipers (240 yards), and upon the shutdown of the XFL, Horn joined the Spring League, where he totaled another 313 yards for the champion Linemen. Since 2021, Horn has been with the Bengals, Stampeders (CFL 2022), and now is with the Galaxy of the ELF who most recently won a championship. 

Highlighting The Career of MBT

by Pat Rifino

McLeod John Baltazar Bethel-Thompson, a name worthy of his own article, was recently brought back to the Toronto Argonauts on January 30, 2022. MBT as he’s known by many has been with the Argos since 2017 and has made a name for himself as a reliable Quarterback and a fan favorite for many in the CFL. But, MBT’s journey is extremely unique and one that doesn’t get mentioned enough in the realm of professional football.

MBT has played in five professional football leagues and eleven teams over the past ten years. His career began in 2011 through the AFL after not getting much opportunity in college. He only threw 252 passes while at UCLA and Sacramento State and had to begin with the San Jose SaberCats after being undrafted by the NFL. After only throwing forty three passes for the SaberCats, MBT would bounce between his first NFL team the 49ers and get cut, only to find himself back in Sacramento with the United Football League’s Mountain Lions where he would appear in several games throwing seventy two passes, starting two games. Before being signed to the Dolphins Practice Squad.

Upon completing his career in UFL, MBT would go on a journey from 2011 to 2016 that would involve multiple trips around the country and multiple cuts and resigning by the same team over and over again. His resilience and presence would yield multiple contacts to practice squads and active rosters over six seasons. 

Stops, with Miami(x2), Minnesota(x2), San Francisco(x3), New England, and Philadelphia have all added unique chapters to MBT’s story. Per Spotrac though he does well for himself financially over parts of six NFL seasons earning $792,322, however over half of that was earned in 2012. Regardless of the financial gains MBT has made in his career while in the NFL he also had the opportunity to be around some strong QB rooms as well.

He’s been in the same room as Tom Brady, Josh McCown, Alex Smith, Jordan Palmer. Chase Daniel and Matt Cassel to name a few. All guys who have been praised for their high football IQ, and professionalism they bring to their franchises. He’s also had the privilege of being around high-caliber coaches like Jim Harbaugh, Bill Belichek, and Doug Pederson as well. All these leaders and mentors that MBT has had over his career have given him an opportunity for a young QB to grow and grind through an extremely difficult career that has been riddled with uncertainty. But eventually despite all the traveling, at the end of camp in 2016 MBT, was released and on to his next adventure.

In 2017 MBT found himself in Brian Woods’ Spring League for it’s inaugural season/showcase. Upon completion of the 2017 season he would be one of thirty nine players invited to a tryout with the New York Jets in which he would remain unsigned and still a free agent. Eventually, a CFL team calls and a young (ish) MBT is given the opportunity to learn from one of the best quarterbacks who has ever graced the CFL. Someone who ironically he shares an alma mater with.

In May of 2017 MBT would join the Toronto Argonauts and join a crowded quarterback room. This room included several recognizable names like CFL legend Ricky Ray, CFL All-Star Cody Fajardo and former Ivy-League stand out Jeff Matthews and the Argos would go on to win the 2017 Grey Cup. 

MBT’s role in the Argos would expand in 2018, as Matthews and Fajardo would depart the team. Toronto would acquire former Mizzou Quarterback James Franklin and MBT would be regulated to QB3 on the depth chart. The Argos would lose Ricky Ray in week 2 and after a 2-6 start put up by Franklin, MBT would make his first start in the CFL.however, the Argos would fail to make the playoffs.

2019 would be a career changing year for MBT. He began the season as QB2, as RIcky Ray retired in May. Despite James Franklin entering Week one as the starter, an injury would spring MBT into action. MBT would lead the CFL in touchdowns for 2019 throwing Twenty Six touchdowns in only thirteen starts. After nine seasons as a professional Quarterback, MBT had finally solidified him as a professional.

But as fate would happen, 2020 would throw a monkey wrench into not only MBT’s career but the careers of all CFL players. As he was finally beginning to have some stability in his career, COVID-19 would cancel the 2020 CFL season, leaving hundreds of players and coaches out of work. With nothing but time on his hand MBT would rejoin The Spring League in the 2020/2021 season to remain in shape for NFL and CFL teams. After being released from his contract MBT would resign with the Argos in May 2021. 

Despite his past success with the Argos MBT was not “given” the starting job for 2021. He would enter a battle with Nick Arbuckle who for several weeks they would go back and forth before MBT finally secured the starting job. MBT would even earn a CFL All-Star appearance, the first in his career. Most importantly the Argos reached the playoffs, where they unfortunately would be defeated by the Ti-Cats that would not be without some controversy. 

Despite all the ups and downs it does seem that MBT now goes into the 2022 season as the starting QB for the Argos. The road to this point in his career is definitely a story worth reading and one I’m not sure enough people know about. Regardless, of what happens in 2022 and beyond it is extremely evident that MBT has manifested a great career that shows people what they can do with a solid work ethic, a bit of resilience, and some luck.

Could Bryan Scott be a USFL Savior?

by Patrick Rifino

Every league needs a face. When the XFL started for the second time, Landry Jones was reunited with Bob Stoops and the league brought in former National Champion Cardale Jones to show the legitimacy of their product. So with the USFL re-boot less than 90 days away from kickoff, is it possible Bryan Scott could be a figurehead to lead the USFL?

Bryan Scott has a connection to the league already. With Bart Andrus being named the Head Coach of the Philadelphia Stars could he look to bring in his former Quarterback? Scott and Andrus have a great relationship it seems already. Scott has praised playing for Coach Andrus as the duo won a championship in 2020 with the Spring League Generals. Scott also has shown his own prowess by winning two Spring League MVPs in 2018 and 2020. 

With Brian Woods serving as the President of the USFL could he also view Bryan Scott as a top candidate to lead the league in 2022? Woods was the founder and CEO of The Spring League, and could also lean on his former MVP for stability and consistency and as many people have seen with these spring leagues familiar faces often come around during the start-up phase. 

Per his social media accounts, Scott remains active and seems like he wants to play professional football in 2022. Since graduating from Occidental College in 2016, Scott has been an extremely busy man. He’s been in camp with the Rams, Chiefs, Falcons, and as recent as 2021 had a workout with the Indianapolis Colts. He’s Obviously shown he still wants to continue his professional career, especially after his cup of tea in the NFL and Two quick stints in the CFL with the BC Lions, and Elks/Eskimos. 

Scott’s connection to the leadership of the USFL is definitely something to keep an eye out for. Between his history and success in the Brian Wood’s Spring League along with the familiarity of a Bart Andrus system, Bryan Scott could be an extremely important piece of the USFL puzzle. In a league that seems to be yielding a lot of players with spring league experience, wouldn’t it make sense to bring on the Two time MVP?

Scott has continued to impress amongst his peers as well. After outplaying SEC legends Zach Mettenberger and Johnny Manziel, both Quarterbacks praised the small school pro-hopeful, in which many took notice when he threw five touchdowns against Manziel. 

Scott’s talent is obviously there, and his ability to improvise and make “NFL ready” throws is what allows teams to continue to try him out and why he continues to get calls from other leagues. With Andrus at the helm for the Stars and Woods running the league, it only seems like a matter of time before we see Bryan Scott taking snaps at a professional level. 

Either way, The “Aaron Rodgers of the Division-III” has continued to impress no matter what level he’s been at. While the reboot of the USFL has many challenges that it will surely face in less than 90 days, with Bryan Scott leading one of their franchises one thing for sure is inadequate Quarterback play will not be one of them,