Marquez Stephenson was a dangerous return man and receiver who played college ball at Houston from 2016-’20.
After losing his entire 2017 to a torn ACL, Stephenson returned to catch 75 passes for 1019 yards and 9 TDs for the Coogs.
He then returned the following year and had 907 yards on 52 catches- including a 97 yarder, notching 9 more receiving TDs.
Displayed a knack for the return game that year averaging 27.8 yards a kick and scoring twice on 17 returns.
Over his college career Speedy had 34 kick returns for 889 yards and 3 TDs, and caught 147 passes for 2269 yards and 22 TDs.
Selected in the 6th round of the 2021 NFL Draft by the Buffalo Bills.
Spent most of his rookie season on and off of IR and the practice squad.
Signed by the Browns at the tail end of the year and waived before camp in 2023.
Quickly signed with the Panthers that year, and was placed on the physically unable to perform list, and released shortly before camp.
Signed with the San Antonio Brahmas in 2024 of the UFL.
Posted 33 receptions for 265 yards and 2 TDs.
Returned to the team for 2025 and despite the team’s QB issues had 13 receptions for 134 yards.
After the Brahmas were euthanized by the new UFL ownership, Stevenson was selected by the Orlando Storm but did not make the squad.
NOTES:
I really liked Speedy and from time to time he showed some really nice flashes. He signed these three cards for me at an extremely hot meet and greet at a bar in San Antonio. I got two or three extras signed for Joe, but was unable to nab him on anything else in 2025. Really solid Score 2021 card though.
Matt Coburn initially signed with Louisville in 2015, but close to signing day, was told the school ‘had no room for him’,
Signed with Wake Forest the following year ran for 2,528 yards, finishing 6th in school history.
Undrafted in 2019, signed with the Los Angeles Rams but didn’t make the squad.
Joined the XFL in 2020 seeing little action with the New York Guardians in two contests before the league folded due to COVID.
Played in The Spring League that year for the TSL Blues.
Signed with the Toronto Argonauts in 2021 but didn’t make the squad.
Played for the USFL Philadelphia Stars in 2022.
Ran 102 times for 457 yards and 8 TDs, and caught 18 passes for 150 yards and a TD for the Stars in 4 starts (10 games).
After short stints with the Jaguars and again with the Stars in ’23, was selected by the Michigan Panthers during the UFL dispersal draft.
Led the Panthers with 90 carries for 401 yards and 4 TDs in 8 games.
Injuries derailed most of his 2025 campaign, as he saw action in only 3 games, rushing 22 times for 101 yards and a 23 yard TD.
ACCOLADES:
USFL Sportsman of the Year 2022
NOTES:
The photo on this UFL 2025 card is fantastic. I really like the clear expression on his face along with the juxtaposition of his figure against the yellow background.
TRADE DETAILS:
I traded away a triple signature UFL card for EJ PERRY, HAKEEM BUTLER, CODY LATTIMER, DONALD PAYNE, and MATT COBURN II. (Later in the month I’d pull that same triple signature card again anyway.)
Kirk Merritt RB/WR was very busy in college spending time at Oregon (2015), Texas A&M (’16), East Mississippi CC (’17), and Arkansas State (2018-’19).
For the Red Wolves in 2018, he compiled 83 receptions for 1,005 yards and 7 TDs.
Then in 2019, he had 70 receptions for 806 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Signed in 2020 with the Dolphins where he spent the season on and off the regular season roster and the practice squad through 2021.
In 2022, signed with the New Orleans Saints and was on the team’s practice squad through 2023.
Signed with the UFL Houston Roughnecks in 2024, and finished with 14 carries for 187 yards and 9 carries for 28 yards and a TD.
Then in 2025, posted 33 carries for 91 yards and a TD, and 13 catches for 124 yards.
NOTES:
While I believe in the slow evolution of sets from year to year like an elegant Corvette, this set seems to have taken a path in the wrong direction. It really doesn’t feel risky enough. What position does Kirk play? His position is either too small or disappears into the canvas. I also find the serif on his name stodgy and unnecessary. I opted out of spending the hundreds of dollars needed to purchase this set and the certified autos. I’ll just nickle and dime my way through and probably won’t buy the ’26 set since the Brahmas are no longer in the UFL.
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.
