While USFL teams embark on their free agency period two alums of the league returned back to the NFL. Trey Quinn of the Michigan Panthers and Tae Hayes of the Birmingham Stallions (2022), both earned practice squad contracts. Hayes’ addition to the New York Jets came at the expense of Showboats Defensive Back Nehemiah Shelton who has been with the team since August 17th.
Quinn now embarks on his 2nd stint with Detroit in 2023. The former SMU alum and Mr. Irrelevant spent about three weeks with the Lions until getting waived with an injury designation on August 16th. Hayes has also been on the move since leaving the USFL in 2022. The former App State alum now joins his ninth NFL team with the Jets, and his third NFL team in 2023 alone (Ravens/Lions).
With over 100 USFL players earning NFL contracts over the past two years, it’s only inevitable that alums of the USFL can often cannibalize each other when fighting for roster spots. With the NFL season in full force, look for NFL player personnel departments to continue to look to the USFL in an effort to find high quality talent in a short matter of time.
