Four Terps Selected on Day One of USFL Draft
2/23/2022 9:51:00 AM | Football
COLLEGE PARK, MD -- A quartette of former Maryland football players were selected on the first day of the 2022 United States Football League (USFL) Draft on Tuesday evening.
Tino Ellis ('19), Marcus Lewis ('19), Will Likely ('15) and Cavon Walker ('17) were picked to be a part of the inaugural season of a new take on the spring league of the same name that ran from 1983-1985.
The USFL season launches April 16 with eight teams split into two divisions: the Birmingham Stallions, Houston Gamblers, New Orleans Breakers, and Tampa Bay Bandits in the South Division; and the Michigan Panthers, New Jersey Generals, Philadelphia Stars, and Pittsburgh Maulers in the North Division. There will be a 10-week regular season, with all 40 games played in Birmingham, Ala.
Ellis, a 2018 Honorable Mention All-Big Ten selection for the Terps, was drafted by the Michigan Panthers in the defensive back round. The Reistertown, MD native appeared in 41 games for the Terps from 2016-19, totaling 71 tackles (52 solo), 22 pass breakups, 4.5 tackles for loss, one interception and one fumble recovery. In 2018, Ellis was fourth in the Big Ten in pass breakups, averaging 1.3 a game. He has spent time with the Miami Dolphins over the past two seasons.
Lewis was also drafted in the defensive back round by the Philadelphia Stars. The Florida State transfer played in 16 games for the Terps in 2018-19, totaling 44 tackles (32 solo), six pass breakups, two interceptions and one fumble recovery. Lewis played for the Edmonton Elks of the Canadian Football League in 2021.
Likely, an illustrious Terp during his career from 2013-16, was taken by the Houston Gamblers in the defensive back round. Likely was selected as a 2015 FWAA First Team All-American Punt Returner and the 2015 Big Ten Rodgers-Dwight Return Specialist of the Year. A two time First Team All-Big Ten selection, Likely is first all time in program history in interceptions returned from a touchdown, second in career kickoff return yards (2,233), career kickoff returns (87) and career kickoff returns for touchdown (2) and third in career kickoff yards/return (25.7), career punt return yards (864) and career all-purpose yards/play (18.82). Since his time as a Terp, Likely signed with the Patriots as an undrafted free agent on June 5, 2017 and has played in the XFL and CFL over the past few years.
Walker will join former teammate Tino Ellis on the Michigan Panthers, being selected in the defensive line round. The Washington D.C. native played for the Terps from 2013-17, appearing in 50 games over his career. Walker totaled 90 tackles (50 solo) over five years for Maryland, also accumulating 14.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, four pass breakups and a forced fumble. Since his time as a Terp, Walker has spent time on the practice squads of the Chicago Bears, Kansas City Chiefs and Pittsburgh Steelers. He played for the New York Guardians of the XFL in 2020, leading the league in sacks.
The USFL Draft will continue tonight, with the following positions being drafted: wide receivers, safeties, offensive linemen, defensive tackles and nose tackles, kickers, punters, tight ends, halfbacks and long snappers.
Tino Ellis ('19), Marcus Lewis ('19), Will Likely ('15) and Cavon Walker ('17) were picked to be a part of the inaugural season of a new take on the spring league of the same name that ran from 1983-1985.
The USFL season launches April 16 with eight teams split into two divisions: the Birmingham Stallions, Houston Gamblers, New Orleans Breakers, and Tampa Bay Bandits in the South Division; and the Michigan Panthers, New Jersey Generals, Philadelphia Stars, and Pittsburgh Maulers in the North Division. There will be a 10-week regular season, with all 40 games played in Birmingham, Ala.
Ellis, a 2018 Honorable Mention All-Big Ten selection for the Terps, was drafted by the Michigan Panthers in the defensive back round. The Reistertown, MD native appeared in 41 games for the Terps from 2016-19, totaling 71 tackles (52 solo), 22 pass breakups, 4.5 tackles for loss, one interception and one fumble recovery. In 2018, Ellis was fourth in the Big Ten in pass breakups, averaging 1.3 a game. He has spent time with the Miami Dolphins over the past two seasons.
Lewis was also drafted in the defensive back round by the Philadelphia Stars. The Florida State transfer played in 16 games for the Terps in 2018-19, totaling 44 tackles (32 solo), six pass breakups, two interceptions and one fumble recovery. Lewis played for the Edmonton Elks of the Canadian Football League in 2021.
Likely, an illustrious Terp during his career from 2013-16, was taken by the Houston Gamblers in the defensive back round. Likely was selected as a 2015 FWAA First Team All-American Punt Returner and the 2015 Big Ten Rodgers-Dwight Return Specialist of the Year. A two time First Team All-Big Ten selection, Likely is first all time in program history in interceptions returned from a touchdown, second in career kickoff return yards (2,233), career kickoff returns (87) and career kickoff returns for touchdown (2) and third in career kickoff yards/return (25.7), career punt return yards (864) and career all-purpose yards/play (18.82). Since his time as a Terp, Likely signed with the Patriots as an undrafted free agent on June 5, 2017 and has played in the XFL and CFL over the past few years.
Walker will join former teammate Tino Ellis on the Michigan Panthers, being selected in the defensive line round. The Washington D.C. native played for the Terps from 2013-17, appearing in 50 games over his career. Walker totaled 90 tackles (50 solo) over five years for Maryland, also accumulating 14.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, four pass breakups and a forced fumble. Since his time as a Terp, Walker has spent time on the practice squads of the Chicago Bears, Kansas City Chiefs and Pittsburgh Steelers. He played for the New York Guardians of the XFL in 2020, leading the league in sacks.
The USFL Draft will continue tonight, with the following positions being drafted: wide receivers, safeties, offensive linemen, defensive tackles and nose tackles, kickers, punters, tight ends, halfbacks and long snappers.
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