USFL College Draft: Houston Gamblers select Chase Brice with No. 3 overall pick

Chase Brice is heading to the USFL. The former Clemson and Duke quarterback was selected by the Houston Gamblers with the No. 3 overall pick in the USFL College Draft on Tuesday.

Brice started his college career at Clemson from 2017-19, where he played in 13 games. He threw for 1,023 yards and nine touchdowns over that time before transferring to Duke for the 2020 season. With the Blue Devils, he appeared in 11 games, throwing for 2,170 yards, 10 touchdowns and 15 interceptions. Brice then entered the transfer portal again and decided to finish his career at Appalachian State, where he broke out. Over the last two seasons, he totaled 6,258 yards and 54 touchdowns.

The Gamblers went 3-7 last season and will start the 2023 campaign April 16 against the Michigan Panthers.

More on the state of the USFL

Last year was the initial season for the USFL, which also resulted in some history for spring football. The USFL was the first league in 40 years to have a successful inaugural season and then come back for a second season.

All eight USFL teams are remotely participating in this year’s draft, drafting the rights to 80 players who are eligible for the draft from a pool of 3,000 players. In order to be eligible for the USFL Draft, athletes must be out of high school for at least three years and either used all of their college eligibility, or waived it. Junior college players can request eligibility after being out of high school for two years and not be enrolled in a four-year school.

“We are building the USFL for long-term success and our first-ever College Draft demonstrates our clear focus on building winning teams for Season 2, Season 3, and beyond,” Daryl Johnston, the USFL’s Executive Vice President of Football Operations, said. “The USFL will continue to search for and evaluate the best players to join our league. We are excited to see who the next KaVontae Turpin will be to turn an opportunity with the USFL into a springboard for success in the NFL. Conducting our inaugural College Draft shows that the USFL is committed to providing these talented players an alternative route to pursue their professional football dreams.”