USFL finds talent in the international football scene

| American Football | 10/31/2022

The United States Football League (USFL) has been building up its teams for its second season since the 1980s as it gets ready to kick off season two of the league’s rebirth this spring. 

In an ever more competitive player pool facing competition from the XFL and of course the CFL and NFL, the USFL has broadened its reach finding players with international experience to build its teams for next spring.

Last year, European League of Football stars like USFL MVP Kavontae Turpin (Now with the Dallas Cowboys) along with Madre London (ELF 2021 MVP), Dartez Jacobs, and others with experience in Europe such as Jarey Elder, Dominique Martin, Dale Warren, Kristjan Sokoli, and Kollin Hill all played in abroad before making the jump to the USFL. 

Going back to the well of international experience, the USFL’s Tampa Bay Bandits have signed 2021 All Europe receiver Darrell Adams, a star for Austria’s Graz Giants. The 6’4 (Azusa Pacific D2) product racked up 823 yards and 11 touchdowns in just eight games for the Giants in 2021. Adams also spent time with the Oakland Raiders following his collegiate career. Adams will transition to tight end in the USFL in a move that could help elevate his game to a new level. 

The New Jersey Generals signed another international season receiver in former Michigan State pass-catcher Darrell Stewart Jr. Stewart led the German Football League in touchdown catches in 2021 helping the Dresden Monarchs win the title.  

The 6’2″, 216-pound pass-catcher was the leading receiver in the GFL in the 2021 season putting up 1,369 yards, 82 catches, and 22 touchdowns. This past summer he joined the Monarchs again halfway through the season putting up 251 yards and two touchdowns in four games. Stewart spent time with the Carolina Panthers and Green Bay Packers in 2020 before coming to Germany.


Defensive back Adehkeem Brown, also of the German Football League, signed with the USFL after playing several seasons in Germany, earning All-Star nods in 2021 and 2022. Brown was a Division II All-American at Quincy University. During his collegiate career, he made 10 interceptions and 111 tackles, earning All-Star game spots for the Dream bowl and the National Bowl in 2018. He spent this summer with the New Yorker Lions of Braunschweig.

Former European League of Football cornerback Brandon Brooks of Canada’s University of Regina also signed with the USFL after spending the 2021 season with the Barcelona Dragons of Spain. Brooks recorded 32 tackles, one interception, and five pass breakups in 2021 for the Spanish franchise.

Malcolm Washington of Northern Iowa University (NCAA DI FCS) also signed with the USFL after spending 2022 with the Stuttgart Surge. Washington has also spent time with the Arizona Cardinals, the CFL’s Edmonton Elks, and the Allgäu Comets of the GFL. Washington racked up 58 tackles and four interceptions last season for the Stuttgart Surge.

The Houston Gamblers also signed Bamidele Olaseni, a 6’8″ 348 pound offensive tackle out of Utah. Olaseni spent the preseason with the Las Vegas Raiders of the NFL. The London, England native is a massive offensive lineman who was also selected in the CFL Global Draft. He first started playing football for the London Blitz. 

Alex is a former NCAA and semi-pro American football player who is now located in London, where he works in digital marketing. His goal in writing for AFI is to stay involved with the game that has given him so much. Alex enjoys covering leagues and