Former USC Trojans selected in the USFL Draft
The USFL is back as another entity looks to launch a spring football league. This version of the USFL will field eight teams and kick off its season on April 22. All games will be played in Birmingham, Alabama.
The USFL draft took place on Tuesday and Wednesday with the eight teams selecting players over 35 rounds.
There were already a couple of USC connections to the league. Former USC defensive back Jeff Fisher is the head coach of the Michigan Panthers. And former USC assistant coach Mike Riley is the head coach of the New Jersey Generals.
They’ll be joined by a few more former Trojans.
Harris and Falah to the Maulers
Defensive back Ajene Harris was selected by the Pittsburgh Maulers. Harris played for the Trojans from 2014-18, first as a wide receiver before moving to defensive back. He finished his college career with four receptions for 38 yards on offense, and 144 tackles and six interceptions, three of which he returned for touchdowns. Harris saw some time on the practice squad for the Philadelphia Eagles and most recently played with the Houston Roughnecks of the XFL.
Former USC offensive lineman Nico Falah will join Harris in Pittsburgh. Falah started his career as a tackle before moving to center for the Trojans. He started 26 games between 2014-17 and became an integral part of the offensive line.
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Mama and Hampton to the Bandits
The Tampa Bay Bandits selected former USC offensive lineman Damien Mama. The former four-star recruit was a three-year starter along the offensive line for the Trojans from 2014-16. Mama went undrafted and bounced around with the Chiefs, Giants and Cowboys. He played for the San Diego Fleet of the now-defunct AAF and was also in the XFL.
Mama will have company in Tampa Bay with former USC wide receiver De’Quan Hampton. The junior college receiver caught 22 passes for 238 yards and two touchdowns for the Trojans in 2015 and 2016. He’ll be most remembered for his performance against UCLA in 2016, when his two touchdown catches helped the Trojans to a 36-14 win.
Birmingham grabs a USC transfer
And the Birmingham Stallions drafted one-time USC tight end Cary Angeline.
Angeline was at USC for just one full season before transferring to North Carolina State. He went on to catch 61 passes for 960 yards and 12 touchdowns for the Wolfpack.