USFL Collegiate Draft

This process was adopted from the National Football League, so that the USFL teams could have an equal opportunity to sign eligible players from college.

The draft started in the inaugural season of 1983 with 24 rounds (288 selections) also each team got to select 26 players in a territorial draft (312 total) and was held over a two day period at the beginning of January (4 and 5).[1]

In 1984 to accommodate six new expansion franchises, these teams were given an additional selection at the end of some of the rounds. The open draft had 19 rounds. The 1984 draft was held January 4-5.[2]

The draft was reduced to 12 rounds in 1985, which in turn reduced the number of days to one.[3]

For the 1984 and the 1985 seasons, the Collegiate Draft was given the official name: "United States Football League Player Selection Meeting".

In 1986, the USFL moved its draft to May with the plan move to a fall schedule that same year.

Teams could select players from a list of college seniors or juniors. The order of selection was determined based on the team's win and loss record from the previous year. After a selection, the franchise had the unilateral right to negotiate a contract with that player or the ability to trade that player to another team. If for any reason, the franchise was unsuccessful in negotiating a contract (for example the player signed with the NFL), the club kept the player's rights, which would make him unavailable to play for any team in the USFL.