# 2021 The Spring League season

The 2021 The Spring League season was the sixth and final season of The Spring League. This is the only season to feature eight teams in two divisions: the North Division in Indianapolis, Indiana and the South Division in Houston, Texas.
The Linemen beat the Jousters 26–23 in the first and only Mega Bowl, and won the TSL championship. Linemen QB Ryan Willis won both final and regular season MVP awards.

## Format and rules

The 2021 season kicked off on Thursday, May 6 and was divided to two divisions that played in hub cities: The North Division in Indianapolis and the South Division in Houston. Each division champion will advance to the 2021 TSL Championship game that will take place on June 19.
The 2021 season featured new rules that aim to improve the game, specifically introducing a new overtime format, the “spot and choose” rule, which means that the team that wins the overtime coin toss was to pick the spot of the ball, while the other team would choose whether to play offense or defense. A similar rule was proposed by the Baltimore Ravens after the 2020 NFL season.

## Players

The player participation fee for the 2021 season was $2,000, with exception for players who had been in an NFL training camp within the past three years, who were not required to pay. According to league CEO Brian Woods, the preference was for TSL coaches, players and staff to be vaccinated for COVID-19 before the season begins. If not, they were asked for proof of a negative test upon arrival and were subject to daily testing thereafter.
Every team started the season with 35 to 41 players roster, and were allowed to make changes throughout the season.

### Tryouts

In March 2021, TSL announced that they reached a partnership agreement with Stephen Austin's American National Combines, and were holding tryouts for the first time in league history. They also declared that players who were on an active roster during TSL's fall 2020 season are not required to participate in the tryouts.

### Notable players

On April 16, the first player for the 2021 TSL season was announced, as former Syracuse and Dallas Renegades QB Eric Dungey confirmed he will play for the Blues, although he was later accepted tryout invite to Cincinnati Bengals rookie minicamp, and was later signed to their 90-men roster. On later date the league revealed the other Quarterbacks who will play, including seven-year NFL veteran Ryan Mallett (Generals), former XFL players Luis Perez (Jousters), Brandon Silvers (Conquerors), and Nick Fitzgerald (Sea Lions), and three former P5 colleges QB's Brian Lewerke (Alphas), Keller Chryst (Aviators), and Ryan Willis (Linemen).
On May 12, after the first week was concluded, TSL announced that former Super Bowl champion Brandon Marshall was joining the Generals after strong showing at HUB Football camp, but before the Generals game on week 2 it was revealed that Marshall decided to pursue NFL opportunities instead of joining the league.
39 players with XFL experience were on TSL rosters, and 19 players who participated in the Fan Controlled Football 2021 season (Joseph Putu, Roman Tatum, David Gilbert, Kwadarrius Smith, Curtis Collins, Dominique Martin, Jaylen Flye-Sadler, EJ price, JaMichael Edwards Lott, Deondre Francois, Lawerence Keys, Dwayne Wallace, Donald Boone, LaDarius Galloway, Andrew Jamiel, KaVontae Turpin, Saige Young, Cecil Cherry and Antonio Dawkins).
The league also featured three international players: Kicker Tadhg Leader (Aviators) from the Republic of Ireland, Defensive Linemen Orlovicius Laurynas (Blues) from Lithuania and Wide receiver James Tyrrell from Canada.

#### Other noteworthy players

Alphas: Vad Lee, Brian Lewerke, Jawill Davis, Kristjan Sokoli, Christian DiLauro, Gabe Holmes, Azeem Victor and Mazzi Wilkins, while Brady White joined before week 4.
Aviators: Keller Chryst, Romar Morris, Malcolm Pridgeon, Lavon Hooks, Mark McLaurin and Irish-born American rugby union player Tadhg Leader, while Vad Lee joined from the "Alphas" before week 5.
Blues: Eric Dungey, Deondre Francois, Fabian Guerra, Davion Davis, Hakeem Valles, David Grinnage, Denzel Rice and Xavier Perston.
Conquerors: Brandon Silvers, Kevin Anderson, Cameron Jefferson, Anthony Morris, Robenson Therezie, Matt Seybert, Prince Charles Iworah and Vinny Papale (son of Vince Papale), while Ahmad Gooden joined before week 2.
Generals: Ryan Mallett, Case Cookus, Devin Gray, Jordan Suell, Sal Cannella, Ethan Westbrooks, Blair Brown, Carroll Phillips, Kamilo Tongamoa, Nevelle Clarke, Malik Gant and Lirim Hajrullahu.
Jousters: Luis Perez, Drew Anderson, Lavon Coleman, De'Lance Turner, De’Quan Hampton, Damore'ea Stringfellow, Donnie Ernsberger, Tejan Koroma, Damien Mama, Bunmi Rotimi, Tomasi Laulile, Christian Sam, Nyles Morgan, Derrick Jones, A. J. Hendy, Shalom Luani, Joshua Simmons, William Likely, Ricky Aguayo, Manoa Pikula and Colton Schmidt.
Linemen: Ryan Willis, Reece Horn, Frederick Mauigoa, Elijah Qualls and Jordan Wyatt, while Damon Sheehy-Guiseppi joined before week 6.
Sea Lions: Nick Fitzgerald, Matt Jones (released after week 1), Adam Choice, Kendrick Rogers, Nick Buchanan, Shaneil Jenkins, Levonta Taylor, John Baron II and DeAndre Johnson from Last Chance U' second season, while Jordan Mills and Robert Myers joined before week 2, and Garrett Hartley joined before week 4.

## Coaches

For the 2021 spring season TSL featured a mix of returning coaches from previous seasons and former college football college or minor leagues HC's. Terry Shea (Aviators), Ted Cottrell (Blues), Jerry Glanville (Conquerors) and defending champion Bart Andrus (Generals) returned to their 2020 Fall season teams, while Peter Vaas (Alphas) and Kevin Gilbride (Jousters) replaced Steve Fairchild and Chuck Bresnahan (respectively). Hal Mumme was appointed as the "Linemen" head coach, while Mike Riley was first announced as the "Sea Lions" coach, but it was later changed to Larry Kirksey. Shea is the only one that coached in every TSL season.
Some of the more recognizable assistants were Paul Spicer (DC, Sea Lions), AJ Smith (OC, Conquerors), Derrius Bell (DC, Blues), Jay Hayes (DC, Jousters), Jeff Reinebold (DC/STC, Generals), Dale Carlson (WR, Linemen), Blake Brockermeyer (OL, Sea Lions) and Johnnie Mack (RB, Blues), while QB Stan Bedwell was a player-coach for the Linemen.

## Teams

The 2021 season featured two new teams: The Linemen and Sea Lions, which were added to the six returning teams from the 2020 fall season.
| Division | Team | First year | City | Stadium | Capacity | Head coach |
| North | Alphas | 2020 | Indianapolis, Indiana | Lucas Oil Stadium* | 67,000 | Peter Vaas |
| North | Aviators | 2020 | Indianapolis, Indiana | Lucas Oil Stadium* | 67,000 | Terry Shea |
| North | Conquerors | 2020 | Indianapolis, Indiana | Lucas Oil Stadium* | 67,000 | Jerry Glanville |
| North | Linemen | 2021 | Indianapolis, Indiana | Lucas Oil Stadium* | 67,000 | Hal Mumme |
| South | Blues | 2020 | Houston, Texas | Rice Stadium | 47,000 | Ted Cottrell |
| South | Generals | 2019 | Houston, Texas | Rice Stadium | 47,000 | Bart Andrus |
| South | Jousters | 2020 | Houston, Texas | Rice Stadium | 47,000 | Kevin Gilbride |
| South | Sea Lions | 2021 | Houston, Texas | Rice Stadium | 47,000 | Larry Kirksey |
$^*$ Week 6 games were played at the Bud and Jackie Sellick Bowl.

## Games

The games were played mostly on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, with one game being played on Monday and one on Tuesday due to weather implications. For the first time, one game every week was broadcast on FOX (including the championship game). All other games were broadcast on FS1, with the exception of two games being shown on FS2.
| Week | Date | Time (EST) | Team 1 | Score | Team 2 | Score | Site | Notes | TV | Viewership (millions) |
| Week 1 | May 6 | 7:00 PM | Alphas | 23 | Aviators | 9 | Lucas Oil Stadium | | FS1 | 0.095 |
| Week 1 | May 6 | 10:00 PM | Conquerors | 27 | Linemen | 20 | Lucas Oil Stadium | | FS1 | 0.051 |
| Week 1 | May 7 | 9:30 PM | Sea Lions | 12 | Blues | 15 | Rice Stadium | | FS1 | 0.114 |
| Week 1 | May 8 | 3:00 PM | Jousters | 19 | Generals | 21 | Rice Stadium | | Fox | 0.38 |
| Week 2 | May 15 | 3:00 PM | Conquerors | 21 | Alphas | 26 | Lucas Oil Stadium | | Fox | 0.448 |
| Week 2 | May 15 | 7:00 PM | Linemen | 17 | Aviators | 3 | Lucas Oil Stadium | | FS2 | |
| Week 2 | May 17 | 9:00 PM | Sea Lions | 17 | Generals | 13 | Rice Stadium | Originally scheduled for May 17 at 7:00 PM | FS1 | 0.106 |
| Week 2 | May 18 | 8:00 PM | Blues | 7 | Jousters | 28 | Rice Stadium | Originally scheduled for May 17 at 10:00 PM | FS1 | 0.05 |
| Week 3 | May 20 | 7:00 PM | Aviators | 7 | Conquerors | 34 | Lucas Oil Stadium | | FS1 | 0.059 |
| Week 3 | May 20 | 10:00 PM | Linemen | 47 | Alphas | 7 | Lucas Oil Stadium | | FS1 | 0.04 |
| Week 3 | May 22 | 3:00 PM | Generals | 24 | Blues | 9 | Rice Stadium | | Fox | 0.408 |
| Week 3 | May 22 | 7:00 PM | Jousters | 22 | Sea Lions | 7 | Rice Stadium | | FS1 | 0.136 |
| Week 4 | May 27 | 7:00 PM | Linemen | 46 (OT) | Conquerors | 39 | Lucas Oil Stadium | | FS1 | |
| Week 4 | May 27 | 10:00 PM | Aviators | 6 | Alphas | 30 | Lucas Oil Stadium | | FS1 | |
| Week 4 | May 29 | 3:00 PM | Blues | 19 | Sea Lions | 10 | Rice Stadium | | Fox | 0.365 |
| Week 4 | May 29 | 9:00 PM | Jousters | 22 | Generals | 11 | Rice Stadium | | FS1 | |
| Week 5 | June 3 | 7:00 PM | Alphas | 10 | Conquerors | 27 | Lucas Oil Stadium | | FS1 | 0.075 |
| Week 5 | June 4 | 8:00 PM | Aviators | 19 | Linemen | 20 | Lucas Oil Stadium | | FS1 | 0.081 |
| Week 5 | June 5 | 3:00 PM | Generals | 39 | Sea Lions | 27 | Rice Stadium | | Fox | 0.38 |
| Week 5 | June 5 | 7:00 PM | Jousters | 10 | Blues | 12 | Rice Stadium | | FS1 | 0.079 |
| Week 6 | June 11 | 7:00 PM | Alphas | 22 | Linemen | 27 | Bud and Jackie Sellick Bowl | Originally scheduled at Lucas Oil Stadium | FS1 | 0.095 |
| Week 6 | June 11 | 10:00 PM | Conquerors | 16 (OT) | Aviators | 9 | Bud and Jackie Sellick Bowl | Originally scheduled at Lucas Oil Stadium | FS1 | 0.064 |
| Week 6 | June 12 | 12:00 PM | Sea Lions | 10 | Jousters | 27 | Rice Stadium | | Fox | 0.461 |
| Week 6 | June 12 | 8:00 PM | Blues | 16 | Generals | 23 | Rice Stadium | | FS2 | |
| Championship | June 19 | 3:00 PM | Linemen | 26 | Jousters | 23 | Rice Stadium | Mega Bowl | Fox | 0.418 |

## Standings

Spring League 2021 :
| North Division ||||||||||
| Team | W | L | PCT | PF | PA |
| Linemen | 5 | 1 | .833 | 177 | 117 |
| Conquerors | 4 | 2 | .666 | 164 | 118 |
| Alphas | 3 | 3 | .500 | 118 | 137 |
| Aviators | 0 | 6 | .000 | 55 | 143 |
| South Division ||||||||||
| Team | W | L | PCT | PF | PA |
| Jousters | 4 | 2 | .666 | 128 | 68 |
| Generals | 4 | 2 | .666 | 131 | 110 |
| Blues | 3 | 3 | .500 | 78 | 107 |
| Sea Lions | 1 | 5 | .166 | 83 | 135 |

## Awards
### Players of the week

| Week | North Division | North Division | North Division | North Division | South Division | South Division | South Division | South Division |
| Week | Player | Pos. | Team | Ref. | Player | Pos. | Team | Ref. |
| 1 | Blake Morgan | RB | Alphas | | Lirim Hajrullahu | K | Generals | |
| 2 | Tevon Wright | WR | Alphas | | LaDarius Galloway | RB | Sea Lions | |
| 3 | Ryan Willis | QB | Linemen | | Colton Schmidt | P | Jousters | |
| 4 | Michael Dereus | WR | Linemen | | Cameron Scarlett | RB | Jousters | |
| 5 | Reece Horn | WR | Linemen | | Darnell Holland | RB/KR | Generals | |
| 6 | Cornelius Sturghill | DB | Alphas | | Ryan Mallett | QB | Generals | |
| Final | Ryan Willis | QB | Linemen | | – | – | – | – |

## Statistical leaders

Records reflect statistics through regular season games only.
| Type | Statistic | Qty | Player | Team |
| Passing | Yards | 1,680 1,139 685 | Ryan Willis Ryan Mallett Brandon Silvers | Linemen Generals Conquerors |
| Passing | Touchdowns | 13 9 7 | Ryan Willis Brandon Silvers Luis Perez | Linemen Conquerors Jousters |
| Rushing | Yards | 319 295 267 | LaDarius Galloway Blake Morgan Tra Minter | Sea Lions Alphas Linemen |
| Rushing | Touchdowns | 4 | Tra Minter Sola Olateju | Linemen Conquerors |
| Receiving | Yards | 435 424 346 | Michael Dereus Tevon Wright Reece Horn | Linemen Alphas Linemen |
| Receiving | Receptions | 37 37 34 | Ben Putman Michael Bandy Tevon Wright | Linemen Conquerors Alphas |
| Receiving | Touchdowns | 5 3 3 3 3 3 | Isaac Zico KaVontae Turpin Ben Putman Michael Bandy Reece Horn Tavonn Salter | Linemen Sea Lions Linemen Conquerors Linemen Conquerors |
| Kicking | FGM | 12 10 8 | Lirim Hajrullahu Jonathan Song Nathan Hierlihy | Generals Linemen Alphas |

## Signees to professional leagues

The following players signed with NFL or CFL teams following their involvement with The Spring League in 2021:

### NFL

| Player | Position | TSL team | NFL team |
| Evin Ksiezarczyk | OL | Generals | Minnesota Vikings |
| Case Cookus | QB | Generals | Denver Broncos |
| Christian DiLauro | OL | Alphas | Tennessee Titans |
| Devin Gray | WR | Generals | Baltimore Ravens |
| C. J. Saunders | WR | Aviators | Carolina Panthers |
| Tyrone Wheatley Jr. | OL | Blues | Chicago Bears |
| Salvatore Cannella* | TE | Generals | Chicago Bears |
| Siaosi Mariner | WR | Generals | Baltimore Ravens |
| Damon Lloyd | LB | Blues | Los Angeles Chargers |
| Willie Yarbary | DL | Conquerors | Los Angeles Chargers |
| Matt Seybert | TE | Conquerors | Los Angeles Chargers |
| De'Quan Hampton | TE | Jousters | Tampa Bay Buccaneers |
| Malcolm Pridgeon | OL | Aviators | Pittsburgh Steelers |
| Cole Boozer | OL | Linemen | Washington Football Team |
| Chris Okoye | DL | Alphas | Los Angeles Chargers |
| Lirim Hajrullahu | K | Generals | Dallas Cowboys |
| Brian Lewerke | QB | Alphas | New York Giants |
| Dominique Martin | DB | Conquerors | Green Bay Packers |
| Ethan Westbrooks | DL | Generals | Las Vegas Raiders |
| Elijah Qualls | DL | Linemen | New York Giants |
| Malik Gant | DB | Generals | New England Patriots |
| Lukayus McNeil | OT | Jousters | Seattle Seahawks |
| Anthony Ratliff-Williams | WR | Jousters | Seattle Seahawks |
| Donnie Ernsberger | TE | Jousters | Tennessee Titans |
| Jeff Cotton | WR | Alphas | Jacksonville Jaguars |
| Jon Hilliman* | RB | Jousters | Green Bay Packers |
| Case Cookus | QB | Generals | Minnesota Vikings |
| Salvatore Cannella | TE | Generals | Miami Dolphins |
| Gabe Holmes | TE | Alphas | Miami Dolphins |
| Josh Avery | DL | Alphas | Green Bay Packers |
| Davion Davis | WR | Blues | Cleveland Browns |
| Reece Horn | WR | Linemen | Cincinnati Bengals |
| Cameron Scarlett | RB | Jousters | Seattle Seahawks |
| Bunmi Rotimi | DE | Jousters | Washington Football Team |
| Ryan Willis* | QB | Linemen | Chicago Bears |
| Davion Davis | WR | Blues | Houston Texans |
$^*$ Workout/ Minicamp invite.

### CFL

| Player | Position | TSL team | CFL team |
| Cole Boozer | OL | Linemen | Montreal Alouettes |
| David Brown | OL | Alphas | Montreal Alouettes |
| Johnathon Johnson | WR | Jousters | BC Lions |
| C.J. Worton | WR | Jousters | Winnipeg Blue Bombers |
| James Tyrrell | WR | Sea Lions | Winnipeg Blue Bombers |
| Reggie Cole | DB | Linemen | Hamilton Tiger-Cats |
| Drew Anderson | QB | Jousters | Edmonton Elks |
| Stefen Banks | DL | Linemen | Calgary Stampeders |
| Nyles Morgan | LB | Jousters | Edmonton Elks |
| A. J. Hendy | DB | Jousters | Saskatchewan Roughriders |
| Erick Browne | OL | Aviators | Edmonton Elks |
| Jordan Suell | WR | Generals | Saskatchewan Roughriders |
| Drew Richmond | OL | Linemen | Winnipeg Blue Bombers |
| Jordan Murray | OL | Generals | Hamilton Tiger-Cats |
| Taylor Tappin | OL | Aviators | Ottawa Redblacks |

## Controversy

In November the league was sued for failing to pay $1.4 million in bills during a nine-week stay in Indianapolis, for the use of Lucas Oil Stadium ($235,000 for six games) and hotel stay ($1.1 million for 4,740 room nights). Also, Butler University sued TSL for about $33,000 in unpaid bills, for its use of the Sellick Bowl for practices.

## Aftermath

On June 3, 2021, Woods announced that he had acquired the remaining extant trademarks of the United States Football League with intent of launching a USFL-branded league in 2022, with Fox Sports remaining as a partner in the new USFL. What was to become of The Spring League remained, at the time, an unresolved question, but according to the initial announcement TSL was to continue, probably as a scouting showcase or developmental operation. It was later reported that TSL in no longer associated with the new USFL.
On February 18, 2022, Woods stated that TSL was "no longer operational."