Former Georgia star first defensive player picked in USFL Draft
Former Georgia Bulldogs defensive end Davin Bellamy was the first defensive player off the board Tuesday in the USFL Draft. He went to the New Orleans Breakers in the second round.
The USFL took an unusual approach to its inaugural draft. Instead of letting teams select whatever players they choose, the league had designated positions for each round. Only quarterbacks were taken in the first round, while only edge defenders were taken in the second.
Bellamy played for the Bulldogs from 2014-17 and finished with 135 total tackles (24 for loss), 13 sacks, four forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. Georgia made the College Football Playoff Championship his senior season but ultimately lost to Alabama.
He went undrafted in 2018 before eventually signing with the Houston Texans. He remained on their practice squad for that season before being waived the following year. From there he would join the Cincinnati Bengals practice squad but again was not retained the next season. This would go on to become a familiar pattern for the young player over the next few seasons, as he never gained an official roster spot with an NFL team.
The USFL first began in 1983 and ran through 1986 before dissolving in 1990. This new version has no legal connection to the old league despite bearing the same name. There are currently eight teams committed to the new league, which is set to begin play April 16. There will be a 10-week regular season and two additional playoff rounds with the USFL Championship set to be played July 3.
FOX Sports owns the league and will thus televise a good portion of its games. However, NBC will also air some of the action, with some contests set to be streamed on Peacock.
After struggling to break through in the NFL, Bellamy has an opportunity to make a name for himself in New Orleans. The former Georgia player has high expectations based on his position in the USFL Draft, and will get his first chance to showcase them in less than two months.