Tag Archives: upper deck usfl 2023

Marable, CJ

Upper Deck USFL 2023, #19

CARD: Upper Deck USFL 2023
ACQUIRED: IP 2024, San Antonio Brahmas v Birmingham Stallions

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • CJ Marable played college ball at Arkansas State in 2016, but after seeing little time on the field, transferred to Coastal Carolina.
  • In 3 years playing for the Chanticleers, he ran for 2691 yards on 491 carries scoring 29 TDs.
  • He also was a solid receiving option catching 84 passes for 703 yards and 12 TDs.
  • Signed as an UDFA by the Bears, he’d be waived at the end of camp.
  • Selected in the 28th round of the 2022 USFL Draft by the Birmingham Stallions.
  • Solid debut rushing 102 times for 401 yards and 5 TDs, while catching 20 passes for 161 yards for Birmingham.
  • After being waived by the Patriots, he’d return to the Stallions for 2023, catching 28 passes for 235 yards and 2 TDs, while rushing for 524 yards on 118 carries (2 TDs).
  • In his 3rd season with the Stallions, CJ rushed 80 times for 293 yards (4 TD) and caught 10 passes for 45 yards.
Birmingham Stallions (8-0) v San Antonio Brahmas (6-2), 5/25/24
CJ MARABLE R 2 YDS 17 AVG 8.5 TD 0 LG 11
REC 1 YDS 2 AVG 2.0 TD 0 LG 2

ACCOLADES:

  • USFL Player of the Week 2022 (Week 5)

NOTES:

I didn’t hold out much hope getting any Stallions autographs after the Brahmas game. They had just suffered their first loss in over a year and they looked bushwhacked and tired. Still you have to hand it to them that they are happy to have fans. I was able to waive him over, and he kindly signed 3 cards including this 1/499. The other two I sent to my friends Joe and Mark (Mark’s Signing Bonus). CJ has a great big autograph, and I love it.

I thought I’d push it a bit further and ask him for his glove, to which he responded, “For a true fan, I got you bruh.” Big win. Getting back to basics: This is how a league really courts fans.

Walker, Tre

Upper Deck 2023, #6

CARD: Upper Deck USFL 2023
ACQUIRED: TTM 2023, C/o Home
SENT: 10/10 RECEIVED: 10/21 (11 days)

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • Tre Walker played WR at San Jose St from 2017-2020.
  • His breakout year came as Junior when he had 79 receptions for 1161 yards and 2 TDs.
  • Finished college career with 189 receptions for 2790 yards and 12 TDs.
  • Signed as an UDFA by the Buffalo Bills following the 2021 Draft, but did not make the squad.
  • In 2022, was selected in the 12th round of the USFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Maulers.
  • Despite the team’s offensive struggles, Tre recorded 33 receptions for 362 yards and a touchdown.
  • Had 359 all purpose yards (200 receiving, 17 rushing, and 142 in kick returns) in the 2023 season, despite missing a portion of the season due to injury.
  • Although resigned by the Maulers for 2024, the USFL merged with the XFL and Pittsburgh was not retained.

NOTES:

A nice start to my USFL card set, Tre sent me a nice note and wrote on my card ‘much love’. He still has gas in the tank and I hope he latches on with a new team soon.

My friend Mark (Mark’s Signing Bonus), sent me a box of the USFL to get me started, so I figured why not and dove right in to getting them autographed. While the set is pretty small, there are still some active players in the league who are now in the UFL.

Kelley, Cole

2023 Upper Deck USFL, #5

CARD: Upper Deck USFL 2023
ACQUIRED: TTM 2023, C/o Home
SENT: 10/23 RECEIVED: 11/29 (37 days)

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • Cole Kelley played QB from 2017-’18 at Arkansas.
  • Facing a crowded depth chart, he left Fayetteville and transferred to play for SE Louisiana in 2019.
  • In 2021, he threw for 3,634 yards on 388 attempts (73.2%) with 31 TDs to just 6 picks.
  • Undrafted in 2022, he’d sign with the Washington Commanders, but be cut before the season.
  • In January 2023, Cole signed with the Memphis Showboats of the USFL.
  • Threw for 1534 yards and 7 TDs that season.
  • In his finest moment in the league, he rallied the Showboats to a 17-10 win over the New Orleans Breakers.
  • Cut before the 2024 UFL season began.