It’s here, it’s finally here, the USFL finally managed to cross all the T’s and dot all the I’s and we’ve made it to day one of their “inaugural” 2022 Draft. The draft debuted an extremely unique format for the first year of its inception, utilizing a “snake” format in which that will allows teams to select players as fairly as possible. Draft spots were determined by a lottery system using ping pong balls that were displayed on Fox’s “Speak For Yourself” in which MY Michigan Panthers were chosen to have the first pick in the 2022 Draft. With that being said here’s a breakdown of the inaugural draft class for the MY Michigan Panthers.
Many were thinking that Jordan Ta’amu, would take the number one spot due to his success in the XFL, but Jeff Fisher stays local and picks up Ta’amu’s former teammate Shea Patterson. Patterson started his career at Ole Miss in 2016 and would transfer to Michigan in 2018. After going undrafted in 2020, Patterson would get cut by the Chiefs, BC Lions and Alouettes. Though he has yet to play in a professional game however, after appearing in 36 games in his college career it may finally be Patterson’s time to shine and where else better than back in Michigan (well kind of).
Taken five picks after his brother, Adewale Adeoye went undrafted in 2019 after coming out of Utah State. During his time in college Adeoye never really had the opportunity to start full time, however, was an All-Mountain West Honorable mention in 2018. Adeoye would later play in the spring league for the Linemen in 2021 and now has the opportunity to play with his brother at professional level this spring.
The former leader in sacks for the XFL 2.0 finds his way back on a professional roster. Undrafted out of Maryland, Walker spent time with the Bears, Chiefs, Guardians, and Steelers. After taking a year out of football in 2021, Walker comes back to spring football looking to team up with Adeoye and create a dynamic pass rush to solidify a staunch Panthers defense.
Round Four- 32nd Overall Chase DemoorDE/EDGE
After dabbling in The Spring League and reality television, Chase Demoor boasts an impressive resume both on and off the field. Winning a championship with the Linemen after stints in the IFL and CFL, Demoor finds himself in position to excel as a passing rushing specialist. At 6’5 245 Demoor boasts a long lean frame that helped him lead all of division II in blocked kicks in 2018 and will certainly cause issues in the backfield for opposing USFL teams in the future.
Round Five- 39th Overall Keith Williams Offensive Tackle
Williams comes from Colorado State after going undrafted in 2021. With limited experience throughout the college ranks, Williams was able to start seven games over three seasons at CSU.
Coming out of New Mexico in 2021, Saltes a former 3rd team All Mountain West selection, would join the Jets before getting hurt during camp. Saltes wound up being released in October and now will join the Panthers in an attempt to keep Shea Patterson upright.
After starting 31 games at UTSA over three seasons Dunlop would have stops in camp with the Chargers in 2020 and Redblacks in 2021 before fully committing to the USFL.
Round Seven- 60th Overall Joshua Taylor Offensive Tackle
Taylor is an extremely unique case, as he is still eligible to be drafted in the 2022 NFL draft. Will if he leave if selected in April or will he stay if the league looks like it can maintain some stability. Regardless, the Panthers select a player who has the ability to play all five positions on the Offensive Line.
Compensatory Pick: Welcome to the Panthers, Joshua Taylor!
We have added another OT selection and will pass on a pick in a future round, as a result. pic.twitter.com/QxOVdknk9g
After being an UDFA in 2020 out of Maryland, Ellis spent time with the Saints and Dolphins earning $127,500 dollars over the parts of two seasons on their practice squads. Ellis who has great size at 6-2 will look to earn a spot in a professional league with the USFL’s Michigan Panthers.
Appearing in three games in the 2020 season for the Philadelphia Eagles, Jameson Houston is the first player on our list to have NFL regular season experience. The former Baylor prospect has had stops with the Browns, Panthers, Eagles, until getting cut by the Jaguars in August of 2021.
The second player from Tarleton State to be selected in the USFL Draft. Martin originally began his career as a wide receiver. Martin would later transition to Cornerback and intercepted five passes his senior year. After going undrafted Martin, in 2017 and had a tryout with the Los Angeles Rams. In 2018, he played in Germany for the Cologne Crocodiles. In 2021, he played for The Spring League’s Conquerors, where he was coached by Jerry Glanville. Most recently, he had a tryout with the New England Patriots.
Burrell who like many others has was undrafted coming out of New Mexico. Burrell has spent time in CFL with the Argos and has had a cup of tea with the Kansas City Chiefs now joins the Panthers in the USFL,
Probably the most surprising pick of the draft appears to be on his final opportunity in professional football. After being a first-round pick in 2016 by the Broncos, Lynch was cut in 2020 after bouncing around with the Seahawks and the Steelers. Lynch ironically was cut from the Saskatchewan Rough Riders on February 22nd and would be drafted by the Panthers less than Twelve hours later.
Ending the day how we started it: with a 🔥 QB selection!
Day one had a lot of emotions for spring football fans. We saw some familiar faces, some new faces, and we also didn’t see a lot of names that many were expecting to be called. Overall, for many fans it was a historical first day for not only the Michigan Panthers but also the USFL. Stand by for my Day 2 recap as I go over the rest of the Panthers draft picks.
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