2023 All-USFL Team Announced: Complete Breakdown

The 2023 All-USFL team has officially been announced. The announcement comes from the USFL’s Twitter account just days before the start of the 2023 playoffs. Each team has at least one member who has made the team. Some teams have more players than others, and it may be a surprise who made it and who did not. Here is a look at the 2023 All-USFL team.

All-USFL Team Offense

Alex McGough, Birmingham Stallions – QB

The quarterback to make the list is Alex McGough from the Birmingham Stallions. This is something that would have never been predicted when heading into the season considering McGough was not supposed to be the Stallions’ starting quarterback. J’Mar Smith was supposed to be the starter before injuring his finger.

McGough exceeded expectations. He ended the regular season with 180 completions for 2,104 yards and 20 touchdowns, according to the USFL. He averaged 210.4 passing yards per game as well. McGough also was reliable when scrambling out of the pocket, totaling 403 rushing yards and five touchdowns. McGough will now be pushing his team through playoffs.

Mark Thompson, Houston Gamblers – RB

While the Houston Gamblers will not be making the 2023 playoffs, running back Mark Thompson made the 2023 All-USFL team. Thompson played in just eight games this season, only starting in seven. Even despite that, he rushed the ball for 653 yards and 14 rushing touchdowns, according to the USFL. Thompson also averaged 81.6 yards per game. While his season is over, Thompson played well.

Wes Hills, New Orleans Breakers – RB

New Orleans Breakers running back Wes Hills is the other running back to make the All-USFL team. Hills played in all ten games this season totaling 679 rushing yards and ten rushing touchdowns, according to the USFL. He had the most rushing yards in the regular season this year. Hills’ season will continue this weekend in the playoffs.

Corey Coleman, Philadelphia Stars – WR

Corey Coleman was a top player throughout the 2023 season for the Philadelphia Stars. Coleman played and started in all ten games this year, but the Stars did not make playoffs. Throughout the season, Coleman had 51 receptions for 669 yards and four touchdowns, according to the USFL. Coleman was a clutch player who had zero drops in 2023, putting him on the All-USFL team.

Justin Hall, Houston Gamblers – WR

Houston Gamblers wide receiver Justin Hall is the other receiver to make the All-USFL team in 2023. Hall ended the season with 47 receptions for 515 yards and four touchdowns, according to the USFL. Hall had the fifth-highest receiving yards, and it may seem surprising he made the team over some others, but it is still well deserved.

Jace Sternberger, Birmingham Stallions – TE

The tight end to make the All-USFL team is Jace Sternberger from the Birmingham Stallions. Sternberger had 33 receptions this season for 517 yards and seven touchdowns, according to the USFL. Even as a tight end, Sternberger is fourth in receiving yards in the entire league. Sternberger led the league in receiving touchdowns and is deserving of the spot.

Jake Lacina, New Jersey Generals – C

While the New Jersey Generals did not make the 2023 USFL playoffs, two of their offensive linemen made the All-USFL team. Jace Lacina, the Generals center, is one of the two to make it. Lacina did well not messing up any snaps, which was important for a team that struggled on offense. Lacina did well holding off pressure on the quarterback.

Calvin Ashley, New Jersey Generals – G

Calvin Ashley is the second offensive lineman to make the team from the New Jersey Generals. The Generals did struggle on offense this season, but that was not the fault of Ashley. He did well at preventing pressure, but unfortunately, the Generals will not be playing in the 2023 Playoffs.

Paul Adams, New Orleans Breakers – G

Another New Orleans Breakers player to make the All-USFL list is Paul Adams. The Breakers have a strong offense which makes sense knowing Adams is one of their offensive linemen. Adams will need to keep up his strength as the Breakers have to face the Birmingham Stallions in playoffs this weekend.

Avery Gennesy, Houston Gamblers – T

Tackle Avery Gennesy from the Houston Gamblers also made the All-USFL team. The Gamblers’ offensive line has had its struggles, but Gennessy was not the player to cause the issues. The Gamblers did not make playoffs but put up a fight until the end.

Jarron Jones, Memphis Showboats – T

Jarron Jones is the final offensive player on the All-USFL 2023 team. Jones is one of the Memphis Showboats’ offensive tackles. Jones is also the first player on the Showboats to be listed. Memphis had a slow start this season but came close to making the playoffs. Jones was a big reason the Showboats put up a fight with his ability to deflect pressure off of their quarterback.

All-USFL Team Defense

Breeland Speaks, Michigan Panthers – DE

Michigan Panthers, Breeland Speaks is one of the two defensive ends to make the 2023 All-USFL team. Speaks played in all ten games this season, totaling 53 combined tackles, 25 of which were solo, and six tackles for loss, according to the USFL. Speaks was a beast on the defensive line, totaling nine sacks and two forced fumbles. It was surprising that the Panthers made playoffs, but expect Speaks to be all over the Pittsburgh Maulers’ offense.

Adam Rodriguez, Philadelphia Stars – DE

The Philadelphia Stars’ season may be over, but defensive end Adam Rodriguez had a strong season. Rodriguez ended the season with 27 tackles, but what really stands out is his six sacks, according to Fox Sports. Rodriguez put up the pressure and was tied for third in sacks this year.

John Atkins SR., Memphis Showboats – DT

Memphis Showboats defensive tackle John Atkins Sr. put on the pressure this year. Atkins only had 2.5 sacks this season but had 29 tackles according to the USFL. Atkins helped prevent any run game for opposing teams and was a big reason that the Showboats almost made the playoffs. He may not have had the most sacks, but he was a dominant player.

Toby Johnson, New Jersey Generals – DT

The New Jersey Generals had a tough 2023 defense. Opposing teams struggled running through the Generals, and defensive tackle; Toby Johnson is a big reason for that. Throughout the season, Johnson had 3.5 sacks and 42 tackles, according to Fox Sports. Johnson was a dominant player, and it is a shame he will not get to play in the 2023 playoffs.

Mark Gilbert, Pittsburgh Maulers – CB

Pittsburgh Maulers cornerback Mark Gilbert had an excellent season and it makes sense why he is on the All-USFL team. Gilbert ended the season with 32 combined takes, 29 of which were solo, according to the USFL. He had two tackles for loss and four interceptions. Gilbert also had 15 pass deflections, which is a big reason why the Maulers are in the playoffs.

DJ Daniel, New Jersey Generals – CB

New Jersey Generals cornerback DJ Daniel is also well deserving to make the All-USFL list. In ten games, Daniel had 30 combined tackles, 27 of which were solo, and one tackle for loss, according to the USFL. He also had three interceptions and six pass deflections. The Generals had a dominant defense, and Daniel was a reason for that.

Arnold Tarpley III, Pittsburgh Maulers – S

Pittsburgh Maulers’ safety, Arnold Tarpley III is a strong player in the USFL. The Maulers ended up making playoffs because of the strength of their defense, and Tarpley is a big reason. In ten games, Tarpley had 42 combined tackles, 29 of which were solo, and two tackles for loss, according to the USFL. Tarpley also had three interceptions for 80 yards and eight pass deflections. Expect Tarpley to play hard in the 2023 playoffs.

Manny Bunch, Houston Gamblers – S

Houston Gamblers safety Manny Bunch was a name called often throughout the season. Bunch played hard every game no matter the opponent. The safety had 54 combined tackles,s 35 of which were solo, and four tackles for loss, according to the USFL. Bunch also had two sacks and one interception for 31 yards. The safety also had four pass deflections.

Frank Ginda, Michigan Panthers – LB

Michigan Panthers linebacker Frank Ginda is one of the three linebackers to make the All-USFL team in 2023. Ginda ended the season with 104 combined tackles, 48 of which were solo, and three tackles for loss, according to the USFL. Ginda also had one sack and five pass deflections this year. As for turnovers, the linebacker had three interceptions and two forced fumbles. Ginda is a reliable player on defense and will make a stronger push in playoffs.

Kyahva Tezino, Pittsburgh Maulers – LB

Pittsburgh Maulers’ linebacker Kyahva Tezino had a strong regular season. Tezino ended the season with 94 combined tackles, 53 of which were solo, and nine tackles for loss, according to the USFL. Where Tezino stood out the most was his turnovers. The linebacker had two interceptions, two forced fumbles, and three fumble recoveries. Two of the recoveries were touchdowns he scored as well. He also had six pass deflections and has no plans to slow down.

Chris Orr, New Jersey Generals – LB

New Jersey Generals linebacker Chris Orr also made the 2023 All-USFL team. Orr ended the season with 81 tackles and 2.5 sacks, according to Fox Sports. The reason that he does not stand out among the other linebackers is that he did not have any interceptions in 2023. Unfortunately, with the season over he will not get any this year.

All-USFL Team Special Teams

Isiah Hennie, Pittsburgh Maulers – PR

To no surprise, Isiah Hennie made the All-USFL team as a punt returner. The Pittsburgh Maulers did really well in the second half of the season with their punt and kick returns. As a punt returner, Hennie had 247 yards, his average return was for 17.5 yards, according to the USFL. He also scored one touchdown off of a punt return. Starting field position matters, and Hennie made sure his offense started in a great spot.

Josh Simmons, Pittsburgh Maulers – KR

The Pittsburgh Maulers also had Josh Simmons make the All-USFL team as a kick returner. Simmons did 28 kick returns for 862 yards, his longest for 88 yards, according to the USFL. He averaged 30.8 yards per return, which is fantastic as an average, and had one touchdown. The Maulers will succeed in playoffs if Simmons and Hennie keep this up.

Colby Wadman, Birmingham Stallions – P

Birmingham Stallions punter Colby Wadman is one of the players to make the All-USFL team. Wadman punted the ball 27 times for 1,315 yards, according to the USFL. He averaged 48.7 yards per punt which is solid, with ten landing in the 20. He also had just five touchbacks.

Luis Aguilar, Philadelphia Stars – PK

Philadelphia Stars kicker Luis Aguilar was the top kicker in the league in 2023, which put him on the All-USFL team. Aguilar made 25 field goals, scoring 94 points, according to the USFL. His longest was 56 yards, which is big. The USFL saw numerous field goals due to defensive stops, and Aguilar was a clutch player. Aguilar also did kickoffs where he kicked for an average of 63.2 yards per kick.

Ryan Langan, Birmingham Stallions – LS

Something that was seen too often in the league was messed-up snaps by long snappers. This was too common towards the end of the season. Birmingham Stallions’ long snapper, Ryan Langan, was a clutch player to have on the line. He avoided messing up snaps that would have ruined games. Long snappers are more important than some realize, and Langan shows why.

Vinny Papale, Memphis Showboats – ST

Vinny Papale from the Memphis Showboats is the final player to make the 2023 All-USFL team. Papale ended the season with three kick returns for 78 yards and 345 yards from receptions, according to Fox Sports. Papale was another clutch player on the Showboats in 2023.

The 2023 USFL playoffs will begin this weekend. The Birmingham Stallions will face the New Orleans Breakers and the Pittsburgh Maulers will face the Michigan Panthers. Be sure to watch for the players who made the All-USFL team.