Birmingham has been blessed with great football since the reformation of the USFL. The Magic City was the sole host of the inaugural 2022 regular season, split co-hosting duties during the 2023 regular season, and was the home team in the opening round of this year’s playoffs. Hosting duties are far from the only reason that Birminghamians have been enjoying the reinvigorated United States Football League. Our hometown team, the Birmingham Stallions, have been a dominant powerhouse on the field. This has resulted in back to back league championships for the Stallions - and it seems that the NFL has been paying attention. Multiple players on the Magic City’s USFL team have recently been signed to NFL teams in the weeks after winning their second championship title.
The first player to get signed to a NFL team this offseason was Stallions Kicker Brandon Aubrey, who signed with the Dallas Cowboys. Quarterback and regular season MVP, Alex McGough was the next Birmingham champion to join a NFL roster. Alex quickly became a fan favorite with his dual threat capabilities as a passer and a runner - not to mention his fun off-the-field personality! McGough was signed to the Green Bay Packers, who are entering unfamiliar territory at the position with the departure of longtime starter Aaron Rogers.
Multiple Stallions wide receivers have signed on to NFL teams as well. The electric trio of Austin Watkins, Championship Game MVP Deon Cain, and Davion Davis have all been recognized for their contributions to greatness and will be elevating to the sports highest league. Watkins has signed with the Cleveland Browns, Cain with the Philadelphia Eagles, and Davis with the Arizona Cardinals.
Another fan favorite - Jace Sternberger - will be making the move up as well. The tight end thrilled fans with clutch touchdowns throughout the regular season and playoffs, and now hopes to do the same with the Buffalo Bills. The six Stallions players that have signed to NFL teams is the most amongst any USFL roster. The Michigan Panthers had four players sign and the Pittsburgh Maulers, who the Stallions played in the playoffs, had two players sign to NFL teams and the Houston Gamblers had one player signed. The 13 players who have joined the big show so far highlight the success of the USFL in its first two seasons. In addition to the competitive and exciting matchups that the league has, players are developing and being recruited to the largest stages in the sport.
Giddy up Stallions - all the way to the NFL!
Cover image from USFL
