University of South Florida Athletes in the NFL
It’s always interesting to see where athletes end up post-grad, we decided to check up on our University of South Florida Football alum to see who is playing in the league. Currently, there are eight USF Football alumni who play professional football in the NFL.
D’Ernest Johnson, went undrafted in the 2018 NFL Draft and signed with the Orlando Apollos of the Alliance of American Football for their 2019 season. Johnson then signed with the Cleveland Browns in May 2019. Johnson who played as a running back at USF now plays the same position for the Cleveland Browns.
Mike Love, signed as an undrafted free agent in April 2018 and was cut by the team at the end of training camp and was resigned to the practice squad in September 2018. Love played defensive end for both his alma mater and now the Buffalo Bills although is currently on injured reserve due to a pectoral injury.
Aaron Lynch played at Notre Dame his freshman year but spent the rest of his college years at USF. He was originally drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the fifth round as the 150th overall selection of the 2014 draft. In March 2018, Lynch signed a one-year contract with the Chicago Bears and resigned in April 2019.
Marlon Mack was the 143rd overall pick by the Indianapolis Colts in the fourth round of the 2017 NFL Draft. Mack was the first running back to be drafted from USF and he was the first Bull recruited by Willie Taggart that was drafted.
Terrall McClain was originally drafted by the Carolina Panthers in the third round of the 2011 NFL Draft. The Panthers cut McClain in September 2012 then soon after signed with the New England Patriots but was waived after one game where he then signed with the Houston Texans. After two years on the Texans, he signed with the Cowboys for three then signed with the Washington Redskins for four years but was released. McClain then signed with the Atlanta Falcons, a year later the Arizona Cardinals, and now currently he resides with the Kansas City Chiefs as a defensive end.
Austin Reiter was the Washington Redskins last pick in the 2015 NFL Draft in the seventh round and a year later signed with the Cleveland Browns. He was placed on injury reserve for almost two year where a two-year contract was negotiated with the Kansas City Chiefs where he now plays as a center.
Deadrin Senat was selected in the third round, 90th overall, in the 2018 NFL Draft by the Atlanta Falcons where he signed a four-year contract as a defensive tackle.
Marquez Valdes-Scantling played at NC State for his freshman year of college before transferring to USF for the rest of his collegiate career. He was drafted by the Green Bay Packers, 174th overall, in the fifth round of the 2018 NFL Draft as a wide receiver.
