Week in and week out, the USFL and XFL continue to prove why they are so important to the overall landscape of professional football. Week 11 in the NFL featured multiple players from both leagues, who made an impact for their respective teams.
Over 100 athletes from the USFL and XFL signed to NFL teams this offseason. Dozens have stuck around on practice squads – or active rosters – and have impressed when given the opportunity.
LB DeMarquis Gates | Birmingham Stallions
DeMarquis Gates has been on the Chicago Bears practice squad for the past couple of seasons, following an outstanding campaign with the Birmingham Stallions in 2022.
Ope, that's the DeMarquis Gates we know 💪👀
Picks up the fumble recovery for the @ChicagoBears 🔥 pic.twitter.com/VQco86J40k
— USFL (@USFL) November 19, 2023
This week, he was elevated from the PS for their matchup in Detroit. Gates made the most of his limited minutes, recovering a fumble on a kickoff that set up the Bears with excellent field position.
K Brandon Aubrey | Birmingham Stallions
To no one’s surprise, Brandon Aubrey continues to showcase his consistency with the Dallas Cowboys. The former All-USFL kicker with the Stallions just recently set the NFL record for most consecutive field goals made to start an NFL career – and added to that tally with two more made yesterday.
#Cowboys take a field goal to go up 10-0 in #Carolina.
Brandon Aubrey is now the first kicker in #NFL history to make the first 20 field goal attempts of his career. pic.twitter.com/VbJjBWJYrJ
— Cowboys Nation (@CowboyNationDAL) November 19, 2023
Aubrey has now hit on all 21 field goal attempts in the NFL. In addition, he’s knocked through 29 of his 31 XP’s.
P Daniel Whelan | DC Defenders
The All-XFL punter has been outstanding with the Green Bay Packers so far. Daniel Whelan was on a roll this Sunday, averaging 48.3 yards on four punts. He had a long of 61 yards, with two ending up inside the opponent’s 20 yard line. Whelan has been a gem for the Packers since his stint with the DC Defenders, and is living proof that spring football matters.
Won't get a much better punt and coverage than that out of your own end zone.
Daniel Whelan with the boom and Zayne Anderson with the tackle.
Sixty-one on the punt and a net of 55 after Anderson's tackle.
— Matt Schneidman (@mattschneidman) November 19, 2023
Final Thoughts
It was a busy weekend for former spring football athletes. WR KaVontae Turpin (2022 USFL MVP) racked up 33 yards on three total touches. Additionally, DT Khalil Davis (Stallions) posted a TFL for the Houston Texans.
In other alt-football news, former Generals’ QB Dakota Prukop scored a touchdown in the CFL’s 110th Grey Cup for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
Former @USFLGenerals QB Dakota Prukop scores a touchdown in the #CFL Grey Cup for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. #USFLpic.twitter.com/lUzJXhbQDl
— James Larsen (@JamesLarsenPFN) November 20, 2023
What are your thoughts on these USFL & XFL athletes in the NFL? Which players deserve an opportunity? Let us know down in the comments below, or join the conversation on Discord!
