Two former Longhorns have a prime opportunity to play football at the professional level after Tuesday’s USFL draft.
What is the USFL you ask? It’s known as the United States Football League, which is a revamped version of the 1985 league that gives athletes a chance to continue their playing career while also having a goal of making them more well rounded individuals.
Players and even the staff members will be compensated for partaking in football obviously, but also have a chance to obtain a college degree through Strategic Education’s Capella University and Strayer University. The season itself is just 10 games with two additional playoff weeks.
Former Longhorns Brennan Eagles and Davante Davis were selected in the draft. This draft is a tad different than the NFL, as there a total of 35 rounds, but in each round the eight teams have to chose a specified position. For example, the first round consisted of only quarterbacks being taken.
Speed, speed, speed.
The Stars have selected WR @_BrennanEagles_. #USFLDraft pic.twitter.com/degRJAEBMK
— Philadelphia Stars (@USFLStars) February 23, 2022
.@MiamiBTW_FB HS (FL) alum & former #Texas #Longhorns DB Davante Davis selected in the 9th Round of the @USFL Draft by the @USFLBandits pic.twitter.com/zbFsSZg15z
— IG: @SleeperAthletes (@SleeperAth1etes) February 23, 2022
Starting with Eagles, who decided to forgo his senior year at Texas to declare for the 2020 NFL draft, was selected by the Philadelphia Stars in the 15th round. Eagles went undrafted by the NFL, and had a brief stint with the Cowboys prior to being cut. As a Longhorn he racked up 61 catches for over 1,000 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Davis was taken in the ninth round by the Tampa Bay Bandits. He, similar to Eagles, went undrafted and was signed as a free agent by the Seattle Seahawks. He was placed on injured reserved and eventually waived by Seattle.
This league gives both Eagles and Davis a chance to show out, and maybe get back on the radar of an NFL team.