Can The NFL Benefit From Spring Football In 2023? – Offensive Focus Edition
How can professional football leagues such as USFL and XFL give the National Football League an additional resource in 2023?
The National Football League is constantly looking for young, developmental talent to add to their rosters. Since the Alliance of American Football’s epic collapse, over 200 players from leagues like the AAF, The Spring League, Xtreme Football League, and the United States Football League have been signed to an NFL roster at one time or another. While some of these impressive athletes had stints in the NFL prior to signing with these various Spring Football Leagues, the sheer amount of volume they bring to the world’s premier American Football product is eye-opening. Below we will examine each offensive position and given an overview of top players from both the USFL and XFL who are prime candidates to make their way to the NFL in 2023.
It All Starts With The Quarterback
Those famous words, “It all starts with the Quarterback,” have been uttered for what seems like decades now. For any professional football league, Quarterback is the most important position on the field. Without a solid foundation at the QB spot, a team can go from mediocre to downright awful. With 32 NFL rosters comprised of at least two quarterbacks per team, the NFL guarantees just 64 jobs to elite-level pigskin throwers per season. Now, yes, some teams will employ a third, or even a fourth quarterback, either on their active roster or practice squad, but every team is different. So, what happens to quarterbacks whom the league deems unfit to occupy one of these coveted spots?
Not every quarterback who graces an NFL roster at one time or another gets a chance to prove why they belong. While some are drafted, most get signed at the conclusion of the NFL draft or are signed off the street to fill necessary “camp arm” roster spots. While college offenses revolve around fun bubble screens and shock plays, the NFL is made up of complex, intricate playbooks with verbiage that can only be taught by coaches who have either coached or played in the NFL prior.
Enter Alternate Football. It feels like it was just yesterday when Spring Football Fans saw players like Garrett Gilbert and PJ Walker dominating in the AAF and XFL, respectively. Those two QB’s are among a dozen or more gunslingers who have had the opportunity to sign with an NFL team since the AAF’s inaugural season in 2019. As we fast-forward to 2023, both the XFL and USFL are set to groom the next crop of young Quarterbacks who are looking for a way into the NFL. But it is not just the Quarterback position the NFL looks to leagues like the USFL and XFL for help on.
With the USFL and XFL employing upwards of 32 quarterbacks in total, the NFL will be able to further evaluate free agents via these leagues. For the XFL, they have hired quarterback guru Jordan Palmer to lead the charge in getting their quarterbacks trained and adjusted to the ebbs and flows of quarterback play in the NFL. For the USFL, they have enlisted the help of HUB Football to scout all players and bring them to the forefront of USFL coaches and scouts alike. Each of these leagues will supply an ample amount of game film in settings that are as close to NFL action as possible. While it is known that the speed of NFL gameplay cannot be duplicated, the USFL and XFL will as close as you can get. Here are a few QB’s to keep an eye on during the 2023 calendar year:
Quarterbacks To Watch - USFL
We will start with the defending champion Birmingham Stallions and Quarterback J’Mar Smith. Smith dazzled during his time with the Stallions under Head Coach Skip Holtz. While Smith may have been unknown prior to his recent success in Birmingham, his talent has never been in question. Look for Smith to return for season two and put up even more impressive numbers.
Next up we have a Quarterback who was not with the league last year. 23-year-old Aqeel Glass played his college ball at Alabama A&M. a two-time Deacon Jones Trophy winner, Glass also collected two SWAC Offensive Player of the Year awards during his time with the Bulldogs. Joining the newly hired John DeFilippo and New Orleans Breakers, watch out for Glass to make a splash this season in the USFL.
Quarterbacks To Watch - XFL
If you are a fan of Spring Football, the name Bryan Scott rings a bell. If you are a fan of the USFL’s Philadelphia Stars, it will ring your Liberty Bell. Scott, a former standout at division three Occidental College, has played meaningful minutes in both the TSL and USFL since 2018. While Scott only played in three total games for the Stars in 2022, his presence was felt when slinging the rock for Philadelphia. Now a member of the Vegas Vipers, Scott has a chance to put together a full season of high-level play for his new team. Could this be his breakout season that leads him onto an NFL roster?
Moving from a Quarterback with limited NFL exposure to one that has opened the eyes of several franchise, Reid Sinnett aims to make the XFL his platform to show why he belongs. The former Miami Dolphin and Philadelphia Eagle has had multiple workouts with NFL teams within the past few months but will opt for the San Antonio Brahmas in the hopes he will win the starting job. Sinnett, who spent all the 2021 season on the Eagles active roster, should get a chance to prove himself in 2023 with San Antonio.
CREDIT: Vasha Hunt, USA TODAY Sports
Gotta Run The Rock, No?
With the most prominent position out of the way, let’s turn our attention to other offensive positions. The skill positions, Running Back, Wide Receiver, and Tight End that is, are viewed as a building block to any offense. First, when Quarterbacks are not throwing the ball, the Running Back will tout the rock in the hopes of gaining positive yardage to move a drive along. Whether by speed or power, ball-carriers are looked at as compliments to any passing offense in allowing Offensive Coordinators an opportunity to create balance and dictate a game.
The NFL has viewed Spring Football Running Backs as players who can come in and compete for jobs regardless of pedigree. Former Orlando Apollos Running Back D’Ernest Johnson burst onto the scene in 2021 with the Cleveland Browns. Johnson even earned a FedEx Ground Player of the Week award following a career-high 146-yard performance for the Browns. In 2022 however, most running backs from the USFL and other Spring Football leagues were used as camp bodies heading into the regular season. So, can these talented backs change that narrative in 2023?
Running Backs To Watch - USFL
First up for the USFL is a guy who once led an NFL team in rushing yards. Former Notre Dame Running Back Josh Adams has found his way to the USFL via Jeff Fisher’s Michigan Panthers. Adams, the one-time Philadelphia Eagles leading rushing in 2018, has had various stints with NFL squads since that time. Look for Adams to become the bell-cow-back under Fisher in 2023. In doing so, he should open the door to an NFL opportunity if he plays well enough.
Matthew Colburn II made a splash in The Spring League in 2021. He was the best player in the league back then. Following his success with Ted Cottrell’s Blues,’ he found himself apart of the USFL with the Philadelphia Stars. While Colburn II showed flashes in 2022, he has not been able to replicate those stellar performances from his TSL days. The shifty back out of Wake Forest is a candidate to impress the masses as he “runs it back” with Philly in 2023.
Running Backs To Watch - XFL
Ryquell Armstead was a fifth-round-pick and a backup for the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2019. It looked like he was on his way to becoming a staple in that offense until COVID-19 knocked Armstead out for an extended period, resulting in him missing the rest of that year. Armstead has signed with three different NFL rosters since then, he has not been able to find his footing again in the NFL. Enter the D.C. Defenders who selected Armstead as the backup to the first overall pick in the 2023 draft, Abram Smith. While Armstead will have to split carries with Smith, look for the number two in D.C. to turn heads and gain the momentum he needs to jump back into the mix with an NFL club.
Another back with excellent ability and limited playing time is former Duke RB Mataeo Durant III. After a distinguished career as a Blue Devil, Durant would sign with the Pittsburgh Steelers as a UDFA in 2022. Following his release from the Steelers before the start of the 2022 regular season, Durant III had been a free agent until getting drafted by the St. Louis Battlehawks. Though he will be in a crowded backfield with the likes of Brian Hill and Abdul Adams, Durant III should be able to carve out a nice role for himself on Anthony Becht’s squad. Look for Durant III to highlight his talents to court an NFL team into signing him after the XFL season ends.
CREDIT: Stephen B. Morton/Associated Press
Hauling In Opportunities At Receiver
Moving from rushing the ball to catching it, Wide Receiver is a premium position with many choices to pick from in the NFL. Oddly enough, the receiver position in Spring Football has been a “mixed bagged” of sorts in the eyes of the NFL. Going back to the AAF for a second, former San Antonio Commanders Wide Receiver Greg Ward has enjoyed the fruits of his labor, having been with the Philadelphia Eagles since the AAF folded in 2019. Other receivers in various leagues, such as former Houston Roughnecks receiver Cam Phillips have barely cracked a roster. That is not to say these players are vastly different in talent and skillset. Sometimes, it just comes down to opportunity.
Speaking of opportunity, look no further than 2022 USFL MVP KaVontae Turpin. Turpin, a former TCU Horned Frog, and a top tier returner during his colligate days, had signed contracts with five different Spring Football leagues prior to signing with the Dallas Cowboys in 2022. While Turpin did not play a snap in the Indoor Football League for the Frisco Fighters in 2019, he played in the FCF, TSL, ELF, and the USFL before making his way to the NFL.
His most recent stint with the USFL’s New Jersey Generals put him square on the map of NFL personnel executive in route to a phenomenal 2022 season in which Turpin was named an All Pro for the Dallas Cowboys. In terms of receivers making a name for themselves in Spring Football, Turpin is the pinnacle of excellence in that department.
Wide Receivers To Watch - USFL
Marlon Williams had a fantastic 2022 campaign with the Birmingham Stallions. With Turpin moving onto the NFL, the USFL needs its next superstar at receiver. Williams looks to build on his 474-yard, four touchdown year and establish himself as the premier WR across the Spring Football landscape. In doing so, it should open his opportunities into the beast that is the NFL.
With plenty of options coming into the USFL via free agent signings, the player that stands out most is former SMU Mustang and 2018 Mr. Irrelevant. Trey Quinn. Quinn, now 27-years-old, has spent time with four different NFL franchises since being drafted. The Michigan Panthers and Head Coach Jeff Fisher have put together an All-Star list of signings in the offseason and Quinn looks to factor into Michigan’s plans in 2023. Look for Quinn to explode onto the scene to try and get back into the NFL.
Wide Receivers To Watch - XFL
In terms of receiver in either the USFL or XFL in 2023, the player with the most buzz might be Martavis Bryant. Bryant, a former fourth round pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers, is ready to make headlines in Las Vegas with the Vipers. With the potential to have a QB like Scott throwing to him, and additional weapons such as Jeff Badet and Saeed Blacknall on the field with him, the comeback tour could be insane to watch for Bryant. He most recently suited up for the Beasts in the Fan Controlled Football League in 2022 and will be looking to put up gaudy numbers to get back to where he belongs. The NFL.
Here is an interesting one. Hakeem Butler was selected in the 2023 Supplemental Draft by the St. Louis Battlehawks. A big-bodied receiver at six-foot-five, 227 pounds, Butler, a 2019 fourth-round-pick by the Arizona Cardinals, has played both Wide Receiver and Tight End during his NFL career. While some coaches look for versatility, most in the NFL want players to have a defined role carved out for themselves at that level. Butler, listed as a WR in the XFL, will get his opportunity to prove he can be viewed as a true “X” receiver on the big stage.
CREDIT: Jonathan Bachman/Fan Controlled Football/Getty Images
What About Those Security Blankets?
Tight End is another valuable position of need in the NFL. While the position is not always glamorous, the most talented TE’s in the NFL can take over a game in an instant. The ultimate mismatch, a Tight End needs to be able to run routes and catch like a receiver while simultaneously block would-be pass-rushers and defenders.
Spring Football has produced a few Tight Ends over the past couple of seasons as highlighted by Los Angeles Chargers Tight End Donald Parham, Jr. Parham, Jr. led the then Dallas Renegades of the XFL to a 3-2 record while putting up extremely impressive numbers along the way. The USFL produced top-tier Tight Ends such as Bug Howard and Hunter Thedford. Howard, assuming he is back in the USFL for season two, should remain a top target for whichever club signs him. Thedford, now an offensive lineman for the New England Patriots, just earned himself a reserve/futures contract this past week. With that, let us look at Tight Ends who could make an impact in their leagues in 2023.
Tight Ends To Watch - USFL
First up for the USFL is former Arizona Cardinal and Philadelphia Eagle Cary Angeline. A standout at both USC and NC State, the current Birmingham Stallion’s 2022 campaign left fans wanting more. Angeline finished 2022 with nine receptions for 152 yards and one touchdowns this past season. With plenty of NFL teams in need of a good second or third Tight End, look for Angeline to have an even better 2023 season in hopes of making his way onto an NFL roster.
As we shift to another USFL Tight End, Brandon Barnes is primed for a breakout year with the Houston Gamblers. Barnes, who is no stranger to Spring Football, has played for both the AAF and XFL in recent years. While he will need to compete for reps with fellow Tight End Julian Allen, Barnes is a fantastic receiving threat and should get a fair chance to showcase his abilities in 2023 in Houston.
Tight Ends To Watch - XFL
The XFL has plenty of high quality Tighe Ends in its ranks as well. Alize Mack out of Notre Dame is an intriguing one. Mack, a 2019 seventh-round-pick of the New Orleans Saints, has played for five different NFL franchises since being drafted. The six-foot-four, pass-catcher has not seen the field in the yet and will be looking to produce in Hines Wards’ San Antonio Brahmas offense in 2023.
Sal Cannella is a Spring Football legend. Originally a UDFA out of Auburn, Cannella has spent time with both the Miami Dolphins and Green Bay Backers in his young career. Cannella has played in both the TSL and USFL showcasing his great catch radius and playmaking abilities. Cannella will be reunited with former New Orleans Breakers Quarterback and All-USFL Kyle Sloter under the watch of Bob Stoops’ Arlington Renegades. Look for the former All-USFL Tight End to be a target machine in 2023.
CREDIT: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports
Don’t Forget The Offensive Line
If Quarterback is the most desired position in terms of development in the NFL, Offensive Lime is not far behind. Whether it be Tackles learning the nuances of footwork and technique, or Centers calling plays based on what defenses are doing, the O-Line is as important a part of the offense as any. In recent years, Spring Football have lent its hand to the NFL in developing these highly skilled offensive players along the line. Going back to the AAF again for a second, former San Diego Fleet OL Daniel Brunskill is STILL employed with the San Francisco 49ers as their Center. The XFL produced several more linemen including Cleveland Browns Guard Michael Dunn and Los Angeles Chargers Tackle Storm Norton.
Most recently in Spring Football, the USFL has produced linemen such as Garrett McChin, Alex Akingbulu, and Hunter Thedford. Plenty of quality linemen from leagues like the IFL and FCF have even put linemen in positions to play in the NFL or be drafted into the USFL or XFL. Let us dive into a couple of players from the USFL and XFL who are looking to catapult their careers into the NFL in 2023.
Offensive Linemen To Watch - USFL
The Memphis Showboats will be playing in the USFL in 2023. Following the Tampa Bay Bandits taking a hiatus for at least one season, all Bandits players will transition to Memphis. One of those players, former USC Guard Damien Mama, is no stranger to the rigors of Spring Football. Mama has played for the AAF, XFL, TSL, and the USFL since going undrafted in 2017. He has also been a part of three NFL franchise during that span including spending most of the 2018 season on the New York Giants practice squad. Mama has a chance to be a top-five Guard in the USFL in 2023 and will look to get back into the NFL with a strong showing for the Showboats this upcoming season.
Next, we pivot to former Sacramento State University Tackle Taylor Tappin. Tappin, who is just 26 years old, has played in leagues like the IFL, TSL, and CFL following his collegiate career ending in 2019. For many athletes who finished college that year, football opportunities were slim to none with the COVID-19 pandemic at the forefront of the world. After stints in the CFL with the Ottawa Redblacks and Montreal Alouettes, Tappin has landed in the USFL with the Houston Gamblers. Look for Tappin to fit in at Right Tackle as he protects projected starting Quarterback Brady White in 2023.
Offensive Linemen To Watch - XFL
Luke Juriga might be the most notable lineman across the entire XFL. A former UDFA of the Philadelphia Eagles who attended Western Michigan, Juriga has plenty of skill at the Center position and has played in 13 career games in the NFL. Juriga’s name popped up during the MLFB’s signing period, but that league folded well before players hit the field in 2022. For Juriga, the San Antonio Brahmas roster is loaded with talent, and Juriga looks to anchor an Offensive Line primed for a fun year in the XFL.
Jay Jackson-Williams out of FAMU should get many opportunities to prove himself in 2023. Selected by the St. Louis Battlehawks in the 2023 Player Draft, the athletic Left Tackle will anchor the line for Head Coach Anthony Becht and company. A young, developmental prospect at six-foot-six and over 300 pounds, look for Jackson-Williams to learn from his linemates in 2023 in route to an NFL opportunity should be play well enough.
CREDIT: Photo by Carmen Mandato/USFL/Getty Images
Putting It All Together
Collectively, over 900 professional athletes from the USFL and XFL are slated to hit the field in 2023. Of those, hundreds have never had the chance to grace an NFL roster or touch the blades of grass of an NFL stadium. While most fans of these leagues look at each league as the enemy of the other, having both league coexist is best case scenario for these players. For the USFL, they launched a successful 2022 season and hoping to see continued success in 2023. For the XFL, 2023 will mark the third iteration of its famed league.
The NFL has looked to Spring Football as an additional resource going back as far as the 1980’s with the USFL during its first go around. As highlighted above, each of these leagues has NFL-worthy talent. Whether it be an oversight by a scouting department, a numbers game as rosters were trimmed down, or the athlete underperforming when called upon, these 900-plus players will now get a second chance to prove they are worthy of the ever-elusive National Football League contract. Look for these offensive players to hit the ground running in 2023 in the hope of catching their dreams to play in the greatest professional football league in the world.