The Philadelphia Stars acquired offensive linemen Gray Davis and Ryan Pope from the Birmingham Stallions for defensive tackle Marvin Wilson, who signed with the Stars on Thursday, and defensive back Cody Brown. In addition, the Stars signed defensive back David Vereen. The Stars’ offensive line gave up 29 sacks in the regular season, which led the USFL.
Gray Davis is six foot four and weighs 320 pounds. The 24-year-old from Dallas, Texas, attended a rookie minicamp with the Denver Broncos in 2023. Davis signed with the Stallions on August 4, 2023. Collegiately, Davis played 12 games at Colorado State in 2022 starting at guard for the Rams. The Rams’ offense scored 13.17 points per game, averaged 285.80 yards per game, 19 touchdowns, and 3,429 yards on offense.
Before Colorado State, Davis played five seasons at Nevada (2017-21) playing 40 career games on the offensive line for the Wolf Pack. In 2020, the Wolf Pack’s offense averaged 30.8 points per game, which was ranked third in the Mountain West and 46th nationally. The offense also helped Carson Strong win the Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year.
In 2021, the Wolf Pack’s offense averaged 35.69 points per game, 77.4 rushing yards per game, 347 passing yards per game, 424.4 yards per game, 5,517 total yards, and 57 touchdowns. Davis was named All-Mountain West Honorable Mention and is a member of Nevada’s 2018 Arizona Bowl championship team.
Ryan Pope is six foot seven and weighs 315 pounds. The 27-year-old from Inglewood, California, played eight games for the Houston Roughnecks (XFL) in 2023, of which one was a start. The Birmingham Stallions drafted Pope in the first round (283rd pick) of the 2022 USFL Supplemental Draft. He played ten games for the Stallions helping them win the 2022 USFL Championship over the Philadelphia Stars.
Before Birmingham, Pope signed with the Detroit Lions as an undrafted free agent in 2019. He later spent time with the San Francisco 49ers, Jacksonville Jaguars, Green Bay Packers, Denver Broncos, Arizona Cardinals, and the Los Angeles Rams.
Collegiately, Pope played one season at Long Beach State College in 2014 playing 12 games for the Vikings. Then, Pope transferred to San Diego State (2015-18) playing both tackle positions in 37 games for the Aztecs. He was named Second Team All-MWC in 2018.
Marvin Wilson is six foot four and weighs 303 pounds. The 25-year-old from Houston, Texas, made four tackles in one game for the Eagles in 2022 against the Dallas Cowboys.
Wilson played two games in two seasons in Philadelphia with seven tackles. Before Philadelphia, Wilson signed with the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent.
Collegiately, Wilson played four seasons at Florida State (2017-20) with 109 tackles (50 solo, 59 assists), 15 tackles for loss, 9.5 sacks, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery in 39 games, of which 19 were starts for the Seminoles. He was named First Team All-ACC in 2019 and Second Team All-ACC in 2020.
Cody Brown is six foot and weighs 201 pounds. The 29-year-old from Bellville, Texas, made 61 tackles (40 solo, 21 assists), five tackles for loss, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, and six pass breakups for the Stars in 2023. In 2022, Brown made 57 tackles (41 solo, 16 assists), one tackle for loss, and three pass breakups in 10 games. In the 2022 playoffs, Brown made six tackles (2 solo, 4 assists) and two pass breakups.
The Stars drafted Brown in the 19th round (152nd pick) in the 2022 USFL Draft. Brown returns to the Stars after being drafted by the San Antonio Brahams in the ninth round (63rd pick) in the 2022 XFL Supplemental Draft.
Before joining the Stars, Brown played for the Houston Roughnecks (XFL) in 2020 with 24 tackles, two interceptions, and one sack. Brown also played for the Salt Lake Stallions (AAF) with 33 tackles, five pass breakups, and one interception.
Collegiately, Brown played two seasons at Independence Community College with 56 tackles (42 solo, 14 assists), one fumble recovery, two interceptions for 81 yards, and two touchdowns in 14 games for the Pirates.
Then, Brown transferred to Arkansas State (2015-16) with 128 tackles (84 solo, 44 assists), 5.5 tackles for loss, six interceptions, one touchdown, 18 pass breakups, one fumble recovery, and one blocked punt in 25 games for the Red Wolves.
David Vereen is five foot eleven and weighs 175 pounds. The 26-year-old from Florence, South Carolina, was on the Hamilton Tiger-Cats practice squad in 2023.
Before Hamilton, Vereen signed with the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent in 2022. He played three preseason games for the Ravens with five tackles (4 solo, 1 assist). The Ravens released him after training camp. In 2023, he signed with the Indianapolis Colts but was released on May 2, 2023.
Collegiately, Vereen played four seasons at Newberry College (2017-21) with 112 tackles (69 solo, 43 assists), 5.5 tackles for loss, five interceptions for 64 yards, one touchdown, and 40 pass breakups in 38 games for the Wolves. He was named Second Team All-SAC in 2018.
