In a uniquely-constructed selection draft, designed to stock the initial rosters of the eight teams in the newly-reconstituted USFL, four players with West Virginia University ties were selected over the two-day period of Feb. 22-23.
The draft was not the free-for-all that many are familiar with from the NFL and other pro sports leagues. Instead, each round was assigned to certain position groups, making it a bit easier for the teams to assemble their initial rosters. The draft groupings were as follows:
Round 1: Quarterbacks Rounds 22-23: Offensive Guards
Rounds 2-4: Edge Rushers/Defensive Ends Rounds 24-26: Defensive/Nose Tackles
Rounds 5-7: Offensive Tackles Rounds 27-28: Running Backs and Fullbacks
Round 8-11: Cornerbacks Rounds 29-31: Outside Linebackers
Round 12: Quarterbacks Round 32: Kickers
Rounds 13-17: Wide Receivers Round 33: Punters
Rounds 18-19: Safeties Round 34: Tight Ends/H-backs
Round 20: Centers Round 35: Long Snappers
Round 21: Inside Linebackers
West Virginia alums who were selected in the draft included:
Marquis Lucas New Orleans Breakers Round 7 Pick Four (Offensive Tackle)
Lucas had stints with the NFL’s Buffalo Bills, Minnesota Vikings, Atlanta Falcons and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but never played in a game in that league. He then connected with the Orlando Apollos of the Alliance of American Football in 2018 and the Tampa Bay Vipers of the XFL, playing in five games for each of those teams, but both of those leagues quickly ceased operations. He also played for the Massachusetts of the Indoor Football League in 2021, helping it to a league title
Lucas was at WVU for five years (2011-15), playing in 36 games and making 30 starts.
Dravon Askew-Henry New Jersey Generals Round 19 Pick 7 (Safety)
Askew-Henry piled up 215 tackles over an excellent Mountaineer career (2014-18), which was interrupted in 2016 when he had to sit out the entire season due to a knee injury. Prior to that, he had 104 tackles in his first two seasons, then bounced back after the injury to rack up 111 more in his final two seasons of eligibility. He added six interceptions and 10 pass break-ups
In the NFL, Askew-Henry had stints with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Jacksonville Jaguars and New England Patriots, but did not see any game action. He also played four games for the New York Guardians of the XFL in 2020 before that league folded, and then signed a deal with the NFL’s New York Giants but was waived prior to the start of the 2020 season.
Mike Brown New Jersey Generals Round 22 Pick 5 (Offensive Guard)
A Mountaineer fan favorite, Brown played in 25 games over three seasons (2018-20) for WVU, earning starting roles in his last two years. The big offensive lineman signed as an undrafted free agent with the NFL’s New Orleans Saints in 2021 but was released before seeing any game action.
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Also, former WVU defensive end Adam Shuler, who transferred to Florida, was selected with the seventh pick in the fourth round by the Tampa Bay Bandits.
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Former WVU wide receiver T.J. Simmons also made a pro connection this week, earning a contract with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the CFL.
The team has signed receiver T.J. Simmons and defensive back Tyrique McGhee.
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— Winnipeg Blue Bombers (@Wpg_BlueBombers) February 21, 2022
At West Virginia, he played in 30 games over three seasons, starting in 21 from 2018-20. Over that span, he had 86 catches for 1,297 yards and nine touchdowns. Simmons then had a free agent stint with the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers during their training camp prior to the 2021 season.
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Four With WVU Ties Selected in USFL Draft; Simmons Connects North Of The Border | WVU | West Virginia Mountaineers sports coverage - Blue Gold News
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