By: Branton Beard
The quarterbackꟷevery football team is looking for a strong-armed guy to help lead their team to the promise land, and for the eight teams in the newly founded USFL this was no different. The USFL held their first draft on February 22nd, 2022. In the first round, every team picked their quarterback. But who are they?
Shea Patterson - Michigan Panthers
With the first pick in the USFL draft, the Jeff Fisher led Michigan Panthers selected QB Shea Patterson,
who created a name for himself while playing college football at Michigan.
Shea Patterson was a five star recruit and started at both Michigan and Ole Miss.
Patterson made a name for himself at Michigan by leaping both Tom Brady and Michigan HC Jim Harbaugh in the all-time passers list.
Patterson threw for 8,800 yards while at Michigan while also throwing 68 touchdowns.
Patterson was also a highly sought after baseball player and was drafted by the MLB's Texas Rangers.
Patterson went undrafted to the Kansas City Chiefs and spent the offseason at KC before being cut and playing in the CFL with the BC Lions and Montreal Alouettes.
Jordan Ta’amu - Tampa Bay Bandits
The Tampa Bay Bandits, coached by former Steelers OC Todd Haley, took QB Jordan Ta'amu with their second pick in the USFL draft. Ta'amu, the flashy star of the XFL's St. Louis Battlehawks, looks to reignite his QB career with the Tampa Bay Bandits.
Jordan Ta’amu played college football at Ole Miss where he completed 68% of his passes for 5,600 yards and 30 touchdowns compared to just 12 interceptions.
Ta’amu is a mobile QB who produced 507 yards rushing and 10 touchdowns during his time at Ole Miss
Jordan Ta’amu's XFL spark earned him a second chance in the NFL where he was on the roster for the Detroit Lions, Washington Commanders, Kansas City Chiefs and Carolina Panthers.
Now Jordan Ta'amu will look to show off his athleticism for Todd Haley and the Tampa Bay Bandits.
Bryan Scott - Philadelphia Stars
Bryan Scott was drafted by the Philadelphia Stars and head coach Bart Andrus with the third pick of the USFL draft.
Scott was noticed by NFL scouts while having the opportunity to throw at the USC Pro Day in 2017 where he completed 62-64 passes including 1 drop.
Scott played college football at Occidental College. He completed 63.33% of his passes for a total of 9,073 yards also totaling 77 touchdowns.
Scott was known as the "Aaron Rodgers of Division III."
Ben Holmes - New Jersey Generals
Ben Holmes was taken with the fourth pick of the 2022 USFL draft by Mike Riley, the head coach of the New Jersey Generals. Ben Holmes started as a WR in high school for three years before moving to QB his senior year when he received a scholarship for Nassau Community College.
Holmes was named Freshman of the Year at QB at Nassau, and Junior College All-American.
In 2018, he played for Tarleton State. Holmes passed for 2,659 yards and 28 touchdowns.
Holmes also rushed for 501 yards and 2 touchdowns while at Tarleton State.
Holmes' stellar senior year at Tarleton State led him to the Indoor Football League where he played for the Arizona Rattlers.
Clayton Thorson - Houston Gamblers
Clayton Thorson was selected with the fifth pick in the USFL draft by HC Kevin Sumlin of the Houston Gamblers. Thorson was a valued prospect in the NFL for the 2019 draft; and after a stent with a couple teams, he has found his way to being a top 5 pick in the USFL draft.
Thorson was selected by the Eagles in the fifth round of the 2019 NFL Draft.
Thorson compiled 10,731 passing yards and 61 Touchdowns over his four seasons for Northwestern. They finished with a record of 36-17 with Thorson as a starter in the Big Ten.
Thorson is also a dual threat QB finishing with 27 rushing touchdowns in his college days.
Thorson was waived from his final NFL roster due to a injury settlement resulting from a concussion.
Alex McGough - Birmingham Stallions
Alex McGough was selected with the sixth pick in the USFL draft by HC Skip Holtz of the Birmingham Stallions. McGough's skill set was adored by scouts from the Jaguars, Seahawks, and Texans in the 2019 NFL draft.
McGough was the first QB the Seahawks selected in an NFL draft since they drafted QB Russell
Willson in 2010.
McGough's unique combination of his size, arm strength, and athleticism made him eye catching to NFL scouts. This combo has HC Skip Holtz hooked on his signal caller.
McGough spent his college days at Florida International University. McGough left holding the all-time touchdown record with 65 passing touchdowns and passing record with 9,091 passing yards.
McGough's athleticism led him to have 535 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns on the ground.
Kyle Lauletta - Pittsburgh Maulers
Kyle Lauletta was selected with the seventh overall selection in the USFL draft by HC Kirby Wilson of the Pittsburgh Maulers. Lauletta was drafted to the NFL in 2018 and is the earliest NFL draft pick selected in the first round of the USFL draft.
Kyle Lauletta was selected by the New York Giants in the fourth round in the 2018 NFL draft.
Many analysts believe that the draft process begins at the Senior Bowl. Kyle Lauletta had an outstanding Senior Bowl and earned the Senior Bowl MVP award by throwing 3 Touchdowns and no INT's.
Kyle Lauletta played college football at the University of Richmond. He completed 63.5% of his passes and threw for 10,465 yards in his college career followed up with 73 passing touchdowns.
Kyle Lauletta's unique size and arm talent is enough to intrigue scouts and the staff of the Pittsburgh Maulers.
Kyle Sloter - New Orleans Breakers
Kyle Sloter was the final QB selected in the first round of the 2022 USFL draft by the New Orleans Breakers and HC Larry Fedora. Sloter was a Swiss Army knife in his college days proving to be a weapon at different positions including WR prior to becoming the starting QB. Because of his skill set, many programs looked to him to fill an empty void on their respected roster.
While playing QB, Sloter completed 62% of his passes for 2,656 yards and 29 passing touchdowns.
Sloter's college performance prompted the Denver Broncos to sign him in 2017.
Sloter had his chance in the preseason for the Broncos going 31 for 43 for 413 yards and 3 passing TD's.
Sloter also spent time with the Vikings, Cardinals, Lions, Bears and Raiders prior to being selected by the Breakers.