Auburn football: Every former Tiger selected in the USFL draft

In Round 22, the Michigan Panthers took former Auburn guard Marquel Harrell, who was on the Tigers’ roster from 2015 to 2019. He redshirted as a true freshman, but gained a bigger role throughout 2016 and 2017.

Harrell started every game in 2018 and was a returning starter in 2019, earning pre-season All-SEC honors both years and making the Reese’s Senior Bowl Watchlist in his final season on the Plains.

After going undrafted in the 2020 NFL draft, Harrell was signed as a free agent to the Buffalo Bills but was eventually released and has yet to play an NFL game. The USFL will be a great opportunity for this former Tiger.

Also drafted into the USFL was former Auburn football tight end, Sal Cannella, chosen by the New Orleans Breakers. After starting his career in junior college, Cannella transferred to the Plains in 2017 and was a key contributor for the Tigers.

Throughout 37 games on the Plains, Cannella recorded 25 receptions for 330 yards and five touchdowns. Though he wasn’t drafted following his tenure with Auburn football, Cannella kept up his training and attended multiple camps with different NFL teams. Now, he will earn his chance to play professionally with the New Orleans Breakers.

Two other former Tigers were drafted into the USFL, though they did not finish their careers on the Plains and ultimately transferred out. The first is John Franklin III, a receiver that played for Auburn his junior year following time at Florida State and East Mississippi CC before using his final year of eligibility at Florida Atlantic. Franklin was drafted by the Tampa Bay Bandits.

The second is Tre Threat, an outside linebacker who was selected by the Michigan Panthers. Threat played for Auburn football from 2016 to 2017 before finishing up his collegiate career with Jacksonville State.