Former Auburn lineman makes All-USFL selections

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.