The USFL is set to kick off its second season of its second iteration this weekend and West Virginia has four former players set to play in it.
The former Mountaineers that are currently on USFL rosters are DB Dravon Askew-Henry of the New Jersey Generals, OL Marquis Lucas of the New Orleans Breakers, DB Sean Mahone of the Michigan Panthers, and WR Marcus Simms also of the Michigan Panthers.
Dravon Askew-Henry started 51 games during his time at West Virginia, which is a school record. He finished his college career with 215 combined tackles, 10 pass breakups, and 6 interceptions.
After going undrafted in the 2019 NFL Draft, Askew-Henry bounced around several NFL teams but never played a game for them. He played for the New York Guardians during the 2020 XFL season before league play was suspended mid-season from the COVID-19 pandemic.
He was then drafted by the New Jersey Generals of the USFL in 2022. During his first season with the team, he had 28 tackles and two interceptions.
Marquis Lucas played four seasons at West Virginia, playing in all 26 games his last two seasons. He entered the NFL undrafted in 2016 and bounced around practice squads during his time in the NFL.
Lucas then went on to play for the Orlando Apollos of the AAF in 2019 and the Tampa Bay Vipers of the XFL in 2020, with both leagues ceasing operations after less than one full season. He was later drafted by the New Orleans Breakers of the USFL in 2022, starting every game for them in his first season.
Sean Mahone played six seasons at West Virginia, with his final three as a starter. He finished his college career with 224 combined tackles, 12 pass breakups, and six interceptions, and was a finalist for the William Campbell Trophy his final season.
After going undrafted in the 2022 NFL Draft, Mahone signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars before being cut in rookie minicamp. He later joined the Michigan Panthers of the USFL and was credited with four combined tackles during the 2022 season.
Marcus Simms played three seasons at West Virginia, playing in 33 games. He finished his college career with 87 receptions for 1.457 receiving yards and eight touchdown catches.
Simms initially entered the transfer portal after the 2018 season before later deciding to enter the 2019 NFL Supplemental Draft. He went undrafted and later signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars, who released him from injured reserve midway through the 2019 regular season.
Simms later went on to join the Michigan Panthers of the USFL in 2022. He spent the 2022 season on the inactive list.
Kickoff for the USFL is set for Saturday April 15, with the Philadelphia Stars visiting the Memphis Showboats to kick off the season at 4:30 p.m. ET. Dravon Askew-Henry’s New Jersey Generals have their game later that night at 7:30 p.m. ET at the Birmingham Stallions.
