The Philadelphia Stars made ten selections on Tuesday during the 2023 USFL College Draft that will strengthen the team in future years at premium positions.
While many of the players selected by the Stars on Tuesday will sign with NFL teams in the spring, it’s possible that a player could join the Stars for the 2023 season prior to the NFL Draft.
At the moment, Philadelphia has 57 of their 58 camp roster spots filled without any major holes.
Last season the Stars signed 2022 NFL Draft eligible OT Alex Akingbulu during the 2022 season following the draft, after Akingbulu was not signed to a team as an undrafted free agent. Akingbulu propelled his play as Case Cookus’ left tackle into a contract with the Washington Commanders after the USFL season.
Philadelphia hopes to find their next Akingbulu among their ten draft selections, some of which will be mid round to late NFL Draft selections.
OT Alfred Edwards (Round 1 – Utah State) – 6’7, 325
The Stars went very offensive tackle heavy in the draft and selected five offensive tackles including four in the first five rounds. Edwards, and the rest of the tackles will likely not play for the Stars in 2023 as they test out the NFL. Edwards started 53 games at Utah State and was first team All-MWC as a senior. Edwards was a four year starter at left tackle for Utah State and should get plenty of interest from NFL teams.
OT Anderson Hardy (Round 2 – Appalachian State) – 6’6, 293
Hula Bowl invite who was a two year starting left tackle for the nationally relevant Appalchian State University Mountaineers. His quarterback, Chase Brice, was selected third overall by the Houston Gamblers. Hardy will almost certainly not play for the Stars in 2023 as he will be coveted by NFL teams.
OT Isaac Moore (Round 3 – Temple) – 6’6, 305
In the third round the Stars went with a local prospect from Temple. Were Moore to sign with the Stars, he would reunite with current Stars center C.J. Perez, who also spent time at Temple. Moore would also become the second Swedish player on the Stars, joining linebacker Jordan Genmark-Heath. Moore started as a true freshman at left tackle for Temple and went on to start four more years in that spot, while also seeing some other time earlier in his career at other spots. Moore will spend 2023 in the NFL.
ED Truman Jones (Round 4 – Harvard) – 6’3, 252
Shrine Bowl and Hula Bowl invite who will almost certainly be playing in an NFL camp this fall. Jones is a biomedical engineering major from Harvard, so he’ll have to really love ball to play for the Stars considering how attractive his post-playing opportunities will be. Jones’ father is also a Harvard graduate. In 2022 Jones blocked three kicks and racked up six sacks and earned plenty of Ivy League honors along the way.
OT Earl Bostick Jr. (Round 5 – Kansas) – 6’6, 310
Versatile player who saw action at both left and right tackle for the Jayhawks. Bostick was invited to the NFL Combine, which likely secured his spot getting either drafted by an NFL team or signing as an undrafted free agent. Bostick is an athletic prospect who originally started out his college career at tight end. Bostick originally committed to Appalachian State, where the Stars plucked offensive tackle Anderson Hardy in the second round.
ED Jose Ramirez (Round 6 – Eastern Michigan) – 6’2, 254
Big time pass rusher who had twelve sacks and 19.5 tackles for a loss as a senior and over his last two seasons had 128 tackles. At EMU, Ramirez played in the same program that produced Las Vegas Raiders edge rusher Maxx Crosby.Ramirez attended the Shrine Bowl and will likely by drafted by an NFL franchise. The Stars are hopeful that they can land Ramirez for future seasons.
OT Demontray Jacobs (Round 7 – USF) – 6’6, 304
Two year starter at right tackle for the Bulls after previously playing for Grambling State, where he was originally recruited as a defensive linemen. Jacobs played in the College Gridiron Showcase and the NFLPA Bowl. Reportedly is working on his footwork and patience in pass protection, according to The Athletic’s Diante Lee.
ID Trey Botts (Round 8 – CSU-Pueblo) – 6’3, 295
Botts recorded 66 tackles including 16 for a loss, along with 5.5 sacks in 2022 for the Thunderwolves. In a game against New Mexico Highlands, Botts picked up three sacks and 15 tackles. Botts was named the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (D2) defensive player of the year in 2022 and was a Harlon Hill trophy nominee. Botts played in the 2023 College Gridiron Showcase.
CB Destin Mack (Round 9 – The Citadel) – 6’0, 190
Mack intercepted nine passes in his career at The Citadel including five in 2021 when he was an all-SoCon selection. Mack told NFL Draft Diamonds that he was mainly used as a press boundary corner at The Citadel.
LB Dre Terry (Round 10 – Alabama A&M) – 6’1, 235
At Alabama A&M Terry had 85 tackles including 12 for a loss as a senior. In 2021 and 2020, Terry played in a combined 15 games with East Carolina and recorded just two tackles. In an interview with The Gridiron Crew, Terry said that what sets him apart is his ability to rush the quarterback from an off-ball linebacker position. Terry will play in the HBCU Legacy Bowl on February 25. USFL VP of Football Operations Daryl Johnston and USFL Director of Football Administration Jim Popp scouted Terry at HBCU Legacy Bowl practices. It’s likely Johnston and Popp were able to tell Terry the good news of his drafting in person.
It was neat to see Terry’s excitement about being drafted on Twitter:
🖤 this is crazy bro https://t.co/i7lHWmwYOn
— [drizzy dre'❄️] (@ImDreTerry) February 21, 2023
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