Jesse Dyess and Joshua Mousel 
The Ambush Sports USFL Power Rankings are in. With a lot of returning stars and some new faces, don’t expect the same teams from last season. See where Jesse Dyess and Josh Mousel have the teams ranked before the week one kickoff.
8.
Jesse Dyess
Pittsburgh Maulers– Last year this team was a comedy of errors. Many players were chased off of this team due to Kirby Wilson’s incompetence. Pittsburgh added quite a few new pieces, including Bailey Gaither, James Morgan, and former Alabama standout Reuben Foster. They should be much better by the season’s end, however until then, number 8 it is.
Josh Mousel
Michigan Panthers– Finishing 2-8 in season one was a rough start for the Panthers. With Jeff Fisher gone and Mike Nolan taking the helm I expect the defense to take a step up. The addition of Carson Strong should help bolster the offense, but I need to see it before moving Michigan off the sea floor.
7.
Jesse Dyess
Houston Gamblers– Dependent on how things go, they could be the new number 8 before long. Head Coach Kevin Sumlin left to go coach for the University of Maryland. Curtis Johnson is his replacement. An accomplished assistant, but the jury is still out as a head coach. The Gamblers lost the most pieces of last year’s team, and right now, the quarterback room is a serious concern.
Josh Mousel
Pittsburgh Maulers– The bad news, Pittsburgh was bottom of the barrel in 2022, with a 1-9 record. The good news is they no longer have Kirby Wilson at the helm. Instant upgrade with Ray Horton as coach has me moving the Maulers up one spot from last season. Still work to be done before I believe Pittsburgh can be competitive.
6.
Jesse Dyess
Michigan Panthers– I am basing this strictly on the departure of Jeff Fisher. When he left the Rams, 14 different people showed why he was an ineffective head coach. Mike Nolan takes over the reins for the departed Fisher. Pair that with the addition of former projected first-rounder Carson Strong at quarterback, It’s not hard to understand why I am bullish on this team’s future.
Josh Mousel
Houston Gamblers– The defense was down-right scary at times last season. But losing a monster at LB in Reggie Northrup may set that D back a little. With an offense that had little to talk about last year, the Gamblers will have to come out the gate hot to move up my list.
5.
Jesse Dyess
Memphis Showboats– Formerly the Tampa Bay bandits, this team could be very interesting. No Jordan Ta’amu, however, there is talent in their quarterback room. Alex Collins makes an interesting addition to a running game that was lacking.
Josh Mousel
New Orleans Breakers– New Orleans lost both Kyle Sloter and Davin Bellamy to the XFL. Bellamy was a force on defense and Sloter kept the offense moving last season. Big losses to a team that is in a tough division to begin with.
4.
Jesse Dyess
New Orleans Breakers– A team that was pretty good last year, replaces their head coach with a quarterback guru. The addition of three experienced CFL players, including an accomplished quarterback (Mecleod Bethel-Thompson) is why they slide in at number 4.
Josh Mousel
Philadelphia Stars– Case Cookus and Corey Coleman should be a fun combo to watch in the USFL. Coleman was a top 15 pick in the NFL draft and has plenty of talent to show out for the Stars. At 6-4 last year, the Stars took advantage of their playoff berth and played some of their best football in the postseason. Momentum means a lot in sports, and the Stars finished season one with plenty and built on the momentum with some big offseason signings.
3.
Jesse Dyess
New Jersey Generals– It would not surprise me one bit if New Jersey is the best team in the league at year’s end. Mike Riley did an amazing job last year, and he is back. The main reason they slid to number 4 here is the loss of League MVP Kavonte Turpin. Until this offense shows they can replace him, I am very cautious about their future.
Josh Mousel
Memphis Showboats– The Tampa Bay….wait, the MEMPHIS Showboats have a mostly intact returning roster. The loss of Jordan Ta’amu to the XFL is quite a blow, but Coach Todd Haley seems to believe in Brady White heading into the season. I lean a little on Haley’s experience and a returning roster to move the newly homed Showboats into a real championship-caliber team.
2.
Jesse Dyess
Philadelphia Stars– A team that caught fire in the second half of the season after a quarterback switch, they hope to continue that momentum. Case Cookus brings back most of last year’s team, plus adds former first-round pick, Corey Coleman. There is much reason for optimism in the city of brotherly love.
Josh Mousel
New Jersey Generals– USFL’s top rushing offense will look to keep the ball rolling with the return of Darius Victor and Trey Williams. Losing Spring football legend, Luis Perez may affect the run game, but the offense should be able to keep on churning out points. The Generals produced the USFL MVP in WR KaVontae Turpin, another loss to the Generals, but don’t be surprised to see another New Jersey MVP finalist on this offense.
1.
Jesse Dyess
Birmingham Stallions– They were the best team a year ago, and they return most of their starters. Their defense was number one in the league last year in most categories. Their performance last year alone is good enough to merit a number-one spot until they lose it.
Josh Mousel
Birmingham Stallions– The defending champions start their official defense of the title on April 15th! With a lot of returning players, the Stallions are the cream of the crop, until some other team proves otherwise. Scooby Wright, Bo Scarbrough, Deon Cain, and J’Mar Smith will look to make a back-to-back championship run, and they have the team to do it.
