USFL Executives went to Houston to conduct the 1988 Collegiate draft. After making their territorial picks, they set their sights on the improving their teams with recently graduated seniors. The first round brought big stars, many who chose the USFL over the NFL. The league made good on its promise to bring in pro caliber talent. Some teams took big swing at the end of the round, however, and those players have gone on to the NFL.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1. Minnesota \u2014 Sterling Sharpe, WR, South Carolina<\/strong> 2. Toronto \u2014 Erik Williams, OT, Central St (OH)<\/strong> 3. Carolina \u2014 Timm Rosenbach, QB, Washington St<\/strong> 4. Arizona \u2014 Steve Walsh, QB, Miami<\/strong> 5. New Orleans \u2014 Ickey Woods, RB, UNLV<\/strong> 6. Cascadia \u2014 Mike Utley, OG, Washington St<\/strong> 7. Memphis \u2014 Rodney Peete, QB, USC<\/strong> 8. Oakland \u2014 Andre Rison, WR, Michigan St<\/strong> 9. Chicago \u2014 Chris Zorich, LB, Notre Dame<\/strong> 10. Washington \u2014 Donnie Elder, DB, Memphis<\/strong> 11. Pittsburgh \u2014 Mark Stepnoski, C, Pittsburgh<\/strong> 12. San Antonio \u2014 Jason Phillips, WR, TCU<\/strong> 13. Oklahoma \u2014 John Stephens, RB, Texas A&M<\/strong> 14. Jacksonville \u2014 Erik Affholter, WR, USC<\/strong> 15. Los Angeles \u2014 Erik McMillan, DB, Missouri<\/strong> 16. Philadelphia \u2014 Tony Stephens, RB, Syracuse<\/strong> 17. Michigan \u2014 Percy Snow, LB, Michigan St<\/strong> 18. Denver \u2014 Brad Muster, RB, Stanford<\/strong> 19. Tampa Bay \u2014 Tracy Rocker, DT, Auburn<\/strong> 20. Boston \u2014 Chuck Hartlieb, QB, Iowa<\/strong> 21. Las Vegas \u2014 Troy Aikman, QB, UCLA \u2014 SIGNED WITH NFL<\/em><\/strong> 22. New Jersey \u2014 Barry Sanders, RB, Oklahoma St \u2014 SIGNED WITH NFL<\/em><\/strong> 23. Houston \u2014 Derrick Thomas, LB, Alabama \u2014 SIGNED WITH NFL<\/em><\/strong>
The best player in the draft. A physical, dynamic receiver who immediately becomes Minnesota’s WR1. He’s the centerpiece of the Norsemen rebuild.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A 6’6″, 320-pound mauler. The Titans need to protect whoever’s playing quarterback. Williams is a cornerstone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The T-Birds finally have a franchise quarterback. Rosenbach is accurate, mobile, and NFL-bound in a few years. For now, he’s Carolina’s savior.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A proven winner from “The U.” Walsh is a leader, a competitor, and a perfect fit for the Wranglers’ rebuild.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Breakers need a running game. Woods is a physical, between-the-tackles back who can carry the load.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A local product from the Pacific Northwest. Utley is a tough, nasty interior lineman. Cascadia’s offense starts here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Showboats need a quarterback. Peete is a dual-threat playmaker who can extend plays and make something out of nothing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A dynamic playmaker with elite route-running and hands. Rison gives Oakland a true WR1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A local legend. Zorich is a tackling machine and the heart of the Blitz defense for years to come.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Federals need secondary help. Elder is a ball-hawking corner who can step in immediately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A local product. Stepnoski is a smart, technically sound center. The anchor of the Maulers’ offensive line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Glanville gets his weapon. Phillips is a reliable possession receiver who can move the chains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Outlaws need a running back. Stephens is a powerful, physical runner who fits Switzer’s system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A big, reliable target. Affholter gives the Bulls a possession receiver to complement their deep threats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Express need secondary help. McMillan is a ball-hawking safety with elite instincts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Stars need a running back. Stephens is a workhorse who can carry the load.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A local product. Snow is a tackling machine and the future of the Panthers’ defense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A versatile weapon for the Run & Shoot. Muster can run, catch, and block.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Bandits need defensive line help. Rocker is a disruptive force who can collapse the pocket.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
With Dunigan gone, the Breakers need a quarterback. Hartlieb is a developmental prospect with upside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Ace swung for the fences. Aikman went to Dallas. They get nothing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Generals tried to replace Herschel Walker with Barry Sanders. Sanders went to Detroit. They get nothing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Gamblers tried to add a pass-rush terror. Thomas went to Kansas City. They get nothing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n