BY RALPH VENTRE
The NCAA Football Championship Subdivision’s influence will be all over the field when the Birmingham Stallions meet the Philadelphia Stars in the 2022 United States Football League Championship on July 3 at 7:30 pm ET on FOX.
A total of eighteen former FCS players line the rosters of the last two teams left standing at the climax of the relaunched spring league’s season.
Birmingham and Philadelphia feature nine FCS products apiece with a number serving in key roles.
Philadelphia starts a former Stats Perform Jerry Rice Award winner under center with Northern Arizona alumnus Case Cookus taking the snaps.
Meanwhile, Birmingham’s second-leading tackler hails from a Southern Conference program.
FCS PLAYERS IN USFL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
PHILADELPHIA STARS (9)
PK Luis Aguilar (#15), Northern Arizona
After an All-American collegiate career in Flagstaff, Aguilar has stabilized the kicking game for Philadelphia. He scored 43 points over six regular season contests.
OL Sean Brown (#65), Mississippi Valley State
From Nassau Community (NY) College to Mississippi Valley State, Brown has found a home in the USFL. He made nine starts up front for the Stars.
QB Case Cookus (#10), Northern Arizona
Northern Arizona’s all-time leading passer stepped in for an injured Bryant Scott and the rest is history. Cookus made the most of his opportunity, accounting for 13 touchdowns while leading the Stars into the title tilt.
DT Antwan Owens (#49), Jackson State
The Georgia Tech transfer, who played 13 games for Jackson State in 2021, has been a contributor for an active Stars’ defensive front.
DE Adam Rodriguez (#58), Weber State
The former Weber State stud has logged 10.0 sacks for the North Division Champions. Rodriguez recorded multiple tackles in nine of 10 regular season games and ranked second overall on the USFL sacks leaderboard.
WR Chris Rowland (#12), Tennessee State
The 2019 Ohio Valley Conference Offensive Player of the Year has contributed in multiple capacities throughout the USFL season.
OL Jackson Scott-Brown (#64), Northern Iowa
Northern Iowa’s former four-year starter at left guard appeared in all but one regular season game for Philadelphia.
RB Darnell Holland (#6), Kennesaw State [INACTIVE]
An original Kennesaw State recruit, Holland has accounted for a handful of explosive plays throughout the season while battling injury.
OL Clay Legault (#70), Merrimack [INACTIVE]
The former Merrimack bookend, who helped the Warriors transition into the NCAA Division I ranks, has provided OL depth for Philadelphia.
BIRMINGHAM STALLIONS (9)
DE Aaron Adeoye (#90), Southeast Missouri State
The former SEMO scholarship basketball player, who spent time on the Green Bay Packers’ Practice Squad in 2021, made an impact early on for Birmingham before being slowed by mid-season injury.
WR Michael Dereus (#8), Georgetown
The two-time All-Patriot League pass-catcher has flashed big-play ability with Birmingham.
OL Marquez Tucker (#76), Southern Utah
The right tackle, a former All-Big Sky Conference selection, has appeared in every game thus far for the Stallions. He previously inked an UDFA deal with the Chicago Bears in 2019.
RB C.J. Marable (#11), Presbyterian / Coastal Carolina
The 2017 All-Big South Conference First Team honoree has been an efficient weapon out of the backfield for Birmingham. He gained 562 yards from scrimmage and rushed for five touchdowns during the regular season.
S Christian McFarland (#5), Idaho State
The former Idaho State captain, who logged 22 games with the Bengals over the 2018 and 2019 seasons, has been a key cog in Birmingham’s defense this season. McFarland is also a HUB Football Camp alumnus.
CB Bryan Mills (#21), North Carolina Central [INACTIVE]
The former All-MEAC First Team defensive back, who signed an UDFA contract with the Seattle Seahawks in 2021, is trying to play his way back into another NFL opportunity.
S JoJo Tillery (#27), Wofford
The hard-hitting safety, who appeared in 51 college games for SoCon member Wofford, was the Stallions’ second-leading tackler (56 TT) through 10 regular season games.
DE Seth Thomas (#95), Northern Iowa
Thomas, who was a stalwart on the UNI defensive line through the 2019 college season, provides depth for Birmingham up front.
P Colby Wadman (#15), UC Davis
With the Stallions from the season’s start, the reliable punter previously spent four productive years at Big Sky member UC Davis. He saw NFL game action with the Denver Broncos during the 2018 regular season.
TALKING PIGSKIN 
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