The USFL is making a comeback in 2022, returning for the first time since 1986, and a former Pitt wide receiver has announced he’ll officially be a part of the pool of draft-eligible players.
Aaron Mathews, a Pitt receiver from 2016-19, announced via Twitter that he will be in the draft pool for the USFL’s draft on Feb. 22 and 23.
Mathews, a 6-foot-4, 220-pound receiver from Clairton, Pa., caught 44 passes for 580 yards and a touchdown during his Pitt career. He also completed his only pass attempt for a three-yard touchdown and returned one punt for nine yards. As a senior in 2019, he caught 13 balls for 220 yards and a touchdown.
He’ll now look to be drafted by one of the eight USFL teams: the Birmingham Stallions, Houston Gamblers, New Orleans Breakers, Tampa Bay Bandits, Michigan Panthers, New Jersey Generals, Philadelphia Stars and Pittsburgh Maulers.
The USFL season will begin on Saturday, April 16 with a 7:30 p.m. game between the New Jersey Generals and Birmingham Stallions. Games will be played on Saturdays and Sundays at Protective Stadium in Birmingham, Ala. leading up to the playoffs begin played at the Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio over the summer.
As the NFL season has come to an end, the USFL will fill the late spring and early summer void with 40 regular season and three postseason games.
