Former Auburn lineman makes All-USFL selections
Calvin Ashley has made the 2023 All-USFL team for his play at right guard for the New Jersey Generals this season.
Ashley redshirted at Auburn in 2017, then played eight games for the Tigers in 2018. He transferred after that season to Florida Atlantic, before winding up at Florida A&M. Ashley joined the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an undrafted rookie in 2021 but did not survive training camp. He’s played for the Generals for the past two seasons.
New Jersey tied with the Pittsburgh Maulers for the most All-USFL selections with five, even though the Generals finished with the league’s worst record at 3-7.
The Birmingham Stallions posted the USFL’s best 2023 record at 8-2. Four Stallions made the All-USFL team – two position players and two specialists. The Birmingham all-stars are quarterback Alex McGough, tight end Jace Sternberger, punter Colby Wadman and long snapper Ryan Langan.
The other league’s Birmingham-based team, the New Orleans Breakers, had the USFL’s second-best record at 7-3 and produced two all-league selections — running back Wes Hills and guard Paul Adams – tied for the fewest in the league.
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The league announced the All-USFL team on Wednesday. The all-stars included:
Quarterback: Alex McGough, Birmingham Stallions
Running backs: Mark Thompson, Houston Gamblers; Wes Hills, New Orleans Breakers
Wide receivers: Justin Hall, Houston Gamblers; Corey Coleman, Philadelphia Stars
Tight end: Jace Sternberger, Birmingham Stallions
Center: Jake Lacina, New Jersey Generals
Guards: Calvin Ashley, New Jersey Generals; Paul Adams, New Orleans Breakers
Offensive tackles: Jarron Jones, Memphis Showboats; Avery Gennesy, Houston Gamblers
Defensive ends: Breeland Speaks, Michigan Panthers; Adam Rodriguez, Philadelphia Stars
Defensive tackles: John Atkins, Memphis Showboats; Toby Johnson, New Jersey Generals
Linebackers: Frank Ginda, Michigan Panthers; Kyahva Tezino, Pittsburgh Maulers; Chris Orr, New Jersey Generals
Cornerbacks: Mark Gilbert, Pittsburgh Maulers; Manny Bunch, Houston Gamblers
Kicker: Luis Aguilar, Philadelphia Stars
Kick returner: Josh Simmons, Pittsburgh Maulers
Punter: Colby Wadman, Birmingham Stallions
Punt returner: Isiah Hennie, Pittsburgh Maulers
Long snapper: Ryan Langan, Birmingham Stallions
Special teamer: Vinny Papale, Memphis Showboats
In the USFL playoffs, the Maulers and Michigan Panthers meet in the North title game at 7 p.m. CDT Saturday at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio, and the Stallions and Breakers square off in the South title game at 6 p.m. Sunday at Protective Stadium in Birmingham. NBC will televise the North game, and FOX will televise the South game.
The USFL Championship Game is set for 7 p.m. July 1 at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium.
Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at @AMarkG1.