The 2023 USFL Draft was really gracious to the Pittsburgh Maulers. Quite a few of their picks suggest that they will be a solid force in 2023. Some picks have more information about them out there than others, but as the USFL 2023 season progresses, I’m sure I can dig a little deeper into these Pittsburgh Maulers draft picks.
Round 1: Lindsey Scott Jr., QB, Incarnate Word
Scott began his college football career in 2016 at LSU. He then transferred to East Mississippi Community College, Missouri and Nicholls State before ending up at Incarnate Word. Scott led the Southland in rushing yards with 990 in the 2021 season.
Scott threw 60 touchdowns during his time at Incarnate Word. He also won the Walter Payton Award as the top offensive player in FCS college football. Scott was the No. 2 overall pick in the USFL Draft.
No. 2 overall 🔥
With the second overall pick of the 2023 USFL College Draft, we select @_lj18_ 👏 pic.twitter.com/91vWBI6cN0
— Pittsburgh Maulers (@USFLMaulers) February 21, 2023
Round 2: Malik Hamm, DE, Lafayette
Hamm was the No. 9 overall pick in the USFL Draft. He was named the Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year in 2022 for the second time. He also earned All-Patriot League honors for the fifth time in his career. Hamm holds the record at Lafayette for the most sacks (32).
We've got a good feeling about this one 🙌
With the 9th pick of the 2023 USFL College Draft, we select Malik Hamm 🔨 pic.twitter.com/zBl2nq42to
— Pittsburgh Maulers (@USFLMaulers) February 21, 2023
Round 3: Tre’Quan Dorsey, OT, St. Francis University
In the 2021-22 season, Dorsey started eight games at left tackle, as well as appeared in all eleven games during his redshirt junior season. The 6’4″ OT also assisted in 100-yard rushing games against Bryant and Morgan State.
Thank y’all for giving me the chance to chase a dream ❤️ let’s work 🤝🏾 https://t.co/xl0Mnbnya9
— Tre' Quan Dorsey (@ima_td74) February 21, 2023
Round 4: Ferlando Jordan, DB, Southeastern Louisiana
Jordan is one of twelve two-time All-Americans in program history. He is also a three-time first team All-Southland Conference selection. Jordan holds the league’s career record with five interceptions returned for touchdowns.
With the 25th pick of the 2023 USFL College Draft, we select Ferlando Jordan 💪🔨#DropTheHammer | @BTMlando pic.twitter.com/NYLPBzw5Xb
— Pittsburgh Maulers (@USFLMaulers) February 21, 2023
Round 5: Isaiah Land, DE, Florida A&M
Land was a redshirt senior in 2022. His final year with Florida A&M consisted of several mentions and awards. These included the Athlon Sports Preseason All-American, East-West Shrine Bown 1000 Watch List, Preseason SWAC Defensive Player of the Year, and Preseason All-SWAC First Team Defense.
We've got a good feeling about this one 🙌
With the 33rd pick of the 2023 USFL College Draft, we select Isaiah Land 👏 pic.twitter.com/mG5dIXDwsV
— Pittsburgh Maulers (@USFLMaulers) February 21, 2023
Round 6: Nash Jensen, OL, North Dakota State
Jensen was able to play for a fifth year at North Dakota State because of COVID-19’s impact on the 2020 season. In 2021, Jensen made all fifteen starts at left guard, which extended his streak of consecutive starts to 41 games. He also averaged 6.21 yards per carry and rushed for 4,209 yards. This was the third most in school single-season history.
Nash Jensen was named to the Missouri Valley Football Conference Honor Roll and earned the MVFC Commissioner’s Academic Excellence Award.
With the 41st pick of the 2023 USFL College Draft the Maulers select Nash Jensen 👏#DropTheHammer 🔨 pic.twitter.com/k5xXTTujCY
— Pittsburgh Maulers (@USFLMaulers) February 21, 2023
Round 7: Taylor Grimes, WR, Incarnate Word
Grimes appeared in twelve games for the Cardinals in 2021. He lead the team in receptions (87), receiving yards (1145), and touchdowns (16). A game that showcased Grimes was against Nicholls State University where he had 9-182-4 stat line. Three weeks later, Grimes had a 12-193-3 stat line against Southern Louisiana University.
Grimes was also a 2nd-team NCAA FCS All-America bid and won the Southland Conference Newcomer of the Year award. Some think that the dynamic between Taylor Grimes and Lindsey Scott Jr. will be a huge success for the Pittsburgh Maulers.
Over two years, Grimes caught 166 passes for 2,400 yards and 30 TDs at UIW — 84 for 1,255 and 15 TDs in 2022 alone from Lindsey Scott, Jr.
The Maulers have put a QB-WR duo together that can be lethal. https://t.co/D7hOq17TuH
— RJ Young (@RJ_Young) February 21, 2023
Round 8: CJ Turner, WR, Southeastern Louisiana
In 2021, Turner finished with 27 catches for 464 yards and five touchdowns. He suffered from a season-ending injury after just six games. He caught eight passes for 131 yards and a touchdown at Louisiana Tech. He also had five catches for 119 yards and two touchdowns in a 56-10 win at Central Connecticut State.
In spring of 2021, Turner was also named All-Southland Conference (First Team) and All-Louisiana (First Team).
We've got a good feeling about this one 🤩
With the 57th pick of the 2023 USFL College Draft, we select CJ Turner 👏 pic.twitter.com/clwLshspur
— Pittsburgh Maulers (@USFLMaulers) February 21, 2023
Round 9: Jacob Slade, DL, Michigan State
Slade is a four-year letterwinner and played in 42 games with the Spartans. This included 26 starts. He has a career tackle total of 88, 11.5 tackles for loss, 4.0 sacks, four pass break-ups, one fumble recovery, and one blocked kick. Slade also completed a bachelor’s degree in economics in May 2022. This doesn’t have anything to do with football, but I thought I would share that information.
Slade entered the 2022 season on watch lists for the Outland Trophy and Lombardi Award and was a second-team Walter Camp Preseason All-American. However, he could only play eight games because of an injury.
With the 65th pick of the 2023 USFL College Draft, we select Jacob Slade 💪🔨#DropTheHammer pic.twitter.com/HD0GABJuAj
— Pittsburgh Maulers (@USFLMaulers) February 21, 2023
Round 10: Ethan Evans, P, Wingate
Evans had 84 punt attempts for 3,443 yards. He has an average punt at 40.99 yards, 22 fair catches, and 35 inside the 20. Evans was Wingate’s starting punter in 2019, helping the Bulldogs secure ten victories for the first time in school history.
Side note: Evans calls himself a “decent cook” and loves seafood.
With the 73rd pick of the 2023 USFL College Draft, we select Ethan Evans 🔨🙌#DropTheHammer pic.twitter.com/7KzLhwHPw2
— Pittsburgh Maulers (@USFLMaulers) February 21, 2023
Read more about the USFL here.