With December 27th looming for the USFL Phase 1 dispersal draft many USFL players from the Four “dormant” franchises will sit feverishly by their phone waiting for a call that their careers will remain active for the 2024 season. With Scooby Wright tweets opening the floodgates of rumors, speculations, and everything in between let’s take a look at Four players who should get an opportunity with a new team come March 30th, 2024.
New Jersey Generals: Hercules Mata’afa Defensive End
Stats: 27 Tackles 6.0 Sacks
Mata’afa burst onto the USFL scene in 2023 quickly becoming one of the league’s most dynamic pass rushers. After spending the last Two seasons with the Generals Mata’afa sports a long frame and a deadly rip that kept opposing QBs uneasy throughout the 2023 season. Moving into 2024 Mata’afa should have plenty of interest going forward into next season.
BREAKING: The New Jersey Generals have re-signed DE Hercules Mata’afa, per the team.
Hercules has been with the Generals since 2022, and gained a much more prominent role in the Generals defense in 2023, and now is back for 2024! #UnitedByFootballpic.twitter.com/r8MxSn634K
Cookus over the past two seasons has emerged as one of the USFL’s most efficient QBs. After leading the Stars to the 2022 Championship, Cookus took a beating in 2023 behind the Stars Offensive Line that regressed greatly this past season. Regardless Cookus still managed to be one of the USFL’s most effective QBs behind Alex McGough and should easily find employment come 2024.
Pittsburgh Maulers: Rueben Foster Linebacker
Career Stats:52 Tackles 0.5 Sacks 1 Interception
Foster along with Tezino was a dominating force in the Pittsburgh Maulers Defense, despite missing Two games in 2023. The former Alabama 1st Round Pick may have reinvented his football career garnering interest from NFL teams participating in workouts for the “big league”. With several USFL players departing for the NFL, Foster could easily provide an upgrade for many spring football teams.
RUEBEN FOSTER!! forced fumble & recovery for TD! glad to see him back playing ball, man. pic.twitter.com/OskiKKV7O8
Career Stats: 61 Receptions 700 Receiving Yards 1 Touchdown
Surratt joined the Breakers after spending 2022 with the Stallions around with a stint with the Chargers as well. Linking up with McLeod Bethel-Thompson, the Wake Forest alum quickly became one of the best Tight Ends in the league, a position that was loaded with talent across all 8 teams. With teams constantly looking to upgrade that position across the league Surratt should once again put together another strong season wherever he ends up.
Pat Rifino is a former Security Contractor turned writer. He began his writing career talking about geo-politics, and the defense industry. Now Pat writes about alt-league football, while hanging out with his dogs in his off time.
