Birmingham Stallions Add 11 Players, Including Seven Returners During Super-Dispersal Draft

#33 Safety Alijah Holder, 2023 Seattle Sea Dragons
#33 Safety Alijah Holder, 2023 Seattle Sea Dragons (@XFLSeaDragons)

The back-to-back USFL champion Birmingham Stallions continued reloading their roster ahead of training camp with Monday’s Super-Dispersal Draft, selecting 11 players in total – including seven returners from a year ago.

With the draft, the Stallions now have 64 players on their roster. And with training camp rosters capped at 75 players per team, they’ll have room to add up to 11 more players during free agency – which opened yesterday.

The following is a player-by-player breakdown of each of the Stallions’ selections from Monday’s draft:

OT Larnel Coleman

The Stallions selected offensive tackle Larnel Coleman with their first-round pick. Coleman was initially claimed last month by the Houston Roughnecks (XFL) before they dissolved with the merger. The former prep basketball star’s strengths include his athleticism and long arms (36 ¼ inches), which give him an advantage while blocking.

Prior to getting selected by the Miami Dolphins in the seventh round of the 2021 NFL Draft, Coleman was a three-year starter at UMass. He entered his COVID-shortened redshirt senior campaign on the Outland Trophy Watch List (Top Interior Lineman in FBS) and went on to start all four games at left tackle for the Minutemen that season – recording a 77.3 PFF pass-blocking grade and earning Second-Team All-Independent honors.

With the Stallions’ offensive line returning all of its starters from a year ago and adding reinforcements like All-USFL offensive tackle Calvin Ashley, Coleman must play up to high standards during training camp if he wants to be part of the mix.

S Alijah Holder

The Stallions drafted safety Alijah Holder with their second-round pick. Holder appeared in all 10 games (three starts) with the Seattle Sea Dragons last season – totaling 25 tackles. He also spent 2022 with the Houston Gamblers, where he was a rotational piece in their secondary after joining the team midseason – recording 19 tackles.

Holder spent five seasons at Stanford during his collegiate career, which saw him tally 132 tackles, including 6.5 for a loss, and 28 passes defended in 37 career games. He earned an All-Pac 12 honorable mention for his fifth-year performance in 2018 and was on the Bednarik Award Watch List (Defensive Player of the Year).

While it’s hard to envision Holder in a starting position with all the talent in the Stallions’ secondary, he could serve in a similar role as he did with the Sea Dragons last season – not a starter, but definitely still contributing.

QB Jalen Morton

With their third-round pick, the Stallions brought back quarterback Jalen Morton, who served as Alex McGough’s backup for most of last season. Morton saw action in just one game a year ago, coming in relief for McGough while he was being tended to with a minor injury during the team’s week three contest versus the New Orleans Breakers.

Morton will likely be the third-string quarterback this upcoming season behind J’Mar Smith and Adrian Marinez.

CB Terrell Bonds

The Stallions chose cornerback Terrell Bonds with their fourth-round pick. Bonds was with the San Antonio Brahmas last season – where he recorded 14 tackles in nine games (six starts).

Bonds started his professional career with the Memphis Express of the AAF. After the AAF folded, he landed on his feet with the Baltimore Ravens, where he spent two years. The journeyman also spent time with the Pittsburgh Maulers during the 2022 USFL season.

At his ceiling, Bonds could be the nickelback for the Stallions this upcoming season. But he’ll have to beat out a lot of talented players during training camp to get there.

LS Ryan Langan

The Stallions brought back their All-USFL long snapper Ryan Langan in the fifth round. Langan joined Birmingham during the 2022 USFL season and has since been a reliable part of their successful special teams unit.

CB Madre Harper

Madre Harper was initially signed by the Stallions in October but went unprotected during Phase I of the player allocation process after the merger. Birmingham retained their recent pickup by selecting him during the sixth round of Monday’s draft.

Harper, out of Southern Illinois University, signed with the Las Vegas Raiders as an undrafted free agent following the 2020 NFL Draft. He represents another depth piece at the corner position for Birmingham.

RB Bo Scarbrough

Arguably the most notable member of this Birmingham draft class, Bo Scarbrough was one of the many offensive weapons for the Stallions on their way to the 2022 USFL Championship. He split snaps with C.J. Marable after joining the team midway through the season and still finished tenth league-wide in rushing yardage (352).

Scarbrough, the former Alabama standout, had his last season limited to just one game after suffering a season-ending injury in the Stallions’ season opener. He looks to pick up where he left off in 2022 with Birmingham during the upcoming season.

OT Jahmir Johnson

It’s always the more the merrier with offensive tackles in any professional football league. Jahmir Johnson played in eight games and had five starts with the Stallions last season. He can continue to be a crucial part of Birmingham’s rotation this upcoming season.

Johnson spent his six-year collegiate career at four different schools, ranging from junior college powerhouse Arizona Western to Texas A&M – where he spent his final year of eligibility in 2021 as a full-time starter. He was undersized for his position throughout college, never quite hitting the 300-lbs mark – but is listed on the Stallions’ roster at 6-5 300 lbs.

RB Zaquandre White

Zaquandre White is another tailback retained by the Stallions during Monday’s draft. He recorded 29 carries for 128 yards and two touchdowns as a backup for Birmingham last season. His role with the Stallions likely won’t grow much from a year ago, with the rest of Birmingham’s running back corps returning.

FB Bobby Holly

The Stallions selected Bobby Holly with their tenth-round pick in Monday’s Draft. Holly, who has been with Birmingham since 2022, is the only fullback listed on a UFL roster. He adds another layer to the Stallions’ loaded rushing attack as the lead blocker.

WR Myron Mitchell

Myron Mitchell wraps up the Stallions’ Super-Dispersal Draft Class. Mitchell, a newcomer for Birmingham last year, was one of the many facets in the Stallions’ league-best passing attack during the 2023 season – tallying 15 receptions for 138 yards and one touchdown. He was a two-time All-Conference honorable mention at UAB.

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