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3 USFL All-Stars the Commanders should invite to training camp

By Jerry Trotta

CANTON, OHIO - JUNE 25: Maurice Alexander #13 of the Philadelphia Stars returns a punt for a touchdown in the fourth quarter of the game New Jersey Generals at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium on June 25, 2022 in Canton, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/USFL/Getty Images)
CANTON, OHIO - JUNE 25: Maurice Alexander #13 of the Philadelphia Stars returns a punt for a touchdown in the fourth quarter of the game New Jersey Generals at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium on June 25, 2022 in Canton, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/USFL/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Michael Reaves/USFL/Getty Images)
(Photo by Michael Reaves/USFL/Getty Images) /

2. DeMarquis Gates, LB

A former standout at Ole Miss, Gates has bounced around multiple developmental leagues, including the AAF, XFL and now the USFL. He was actually signed by the Browns as an undrafted free agent, but that didn’t last long.

Could the former Rebels linebacker be NFL-bound again? We wouldn’t rule it out after the season he put together for the Birmingham Stallions, leading the league with 10 tackles for loss to go with 5.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and an interception.

Gates has a knack for showing up on the big stage, too. In this past weekend’s semifinal game against the New Orleans Breakers, Gates hauled in an acrobatic interception off Kyle Sloter that he returned 71 yards for a touchdown to give Birmingham a 14-7 lead in the second quarter.

Gates bounced around several practice squads before becoming a developmental league mainstay. The 6-foot-2, 230-pound linebacker has the size, athleticism and natural playmaking ability to compete for a 53-man roster spot.

At the very least, he could become a practice squad stash. We all know how much the Commanders need help at linebacker, right?

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