The 2021 The Spring League season was the sixth and final season of The Spring League. This was 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 advanced to the 2021 TSL Championship game that took place on June 19.
The 2021 season featured new rules that aimed 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 were 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 a later date the league revealed the other Quarterbacks who would 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), A. J. 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. DivisionTeamColorsFirst yearRosterCityStadiumCapacityHead coach NorthAlphas 2020 Indianapolis, Indiana Lucas Oil Stadium*67,000 Peter VaasAviators 2020 Terry SheaConquerors 2020Jerry GlanvilleLinemen 2021 Hal Mumme South Blues 2020 Houston, Texas Rice Stadium 47,000 Ted CottrellGenerals 2019Bart AndrusJousters 2020Kevin GilbrideSea Lions 2021Larry Kirksey
Season schedule 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 Refs Stats Week 1 May 6 7:00 PM Alphas 23 Aviators 9 Lucas Oil Stadium FS1 0.095 10:00 PM Conquerors 27 Linemen 20 0.051 May 7 9:30 PM Sea Lions 12 Blues 15 Rice Stadium 0.114 May 8 3:00 PM Jousters 19 Generals 21 Fox 0.38 Week 2 May 15 Conquerors 21 Alphas 26 Lucas Oil Stadium 0.448 7:00 PM Linemen 17 Aviators 3 FS2 May 179:00 PM Sea Lions 17 Generals 13 Rice Stadium Originally scheduled for May 17 at 7:00 PM FS1 0.106 May 18 8:00 PM Blues 7 Jousters 28 Originally scheduled for May 17 at 10:00 PM 0.05 Week 3 May 20 7:00 PM Aviators 7 Conquerors 34 Lucas Oil Stadium 0.059 10:00 PM Linemen 47 Alphas 7 0.04 May 22 3:00 PM Generals 24 Blues 9 Rice Stadium Fox 0.408 7:00 PM Jousters 22 Sea Lions 7 FS1 0.136 Week 4 May 27 Linemen 46 (OT) Conquerors 39 Lucas Oil Stadium 10:00 PM Aviators 6 Alphas 30 May 29 3:00 PM Blues 19 Sea Lions 10 Rice Stadium Fox 0.365 9:00 PM Jousters 22 Generals 11 FS1 Week 5 June 3 7:00 PM Alphas 10 Conquerors 27 Lucas Oil Stadium 0.075 June 4 8:00 PM Aviators 19 Linemen 20 0.081 June 5 3:00 PM Generals 39 Sea Lions 27 Rice Stadium Fox 0.38 7:00 PM Jousters 10 Blues 12 FS1 0.079 Week 6June 11 7:00 PM Alphas 22 Linemen 27 Bud and Jackie Sellick Bowl Originally scheduled at Lucas Oil Stadium 0.095 10:00 PM Conquerors 16 (OT) Aviators 9 0.064 June 12 12:00 PM Sea Lions 10 Jousters 27 Rice Stadium Fox 0.461 8:00 PM Blues 16 Generals 23 FS2 Championship June 19 3:00 PM Linemen 26 Jousters 23 Mega Bowl Fox 0.418
Standings Spring League 2021 North Division Team 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 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 South DivisionPlayerPos.TeamRef.PlayerPos.TeamRef. 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. TypeStatisticQtyPlayerTeamPassingYards1,680 1,139 685Ryan Willis Ryan Mallett Brandon SilversLinemen Generals ConquerorsTouchdowns13 9 7Ryan Willis Brandon Silvers Luis PerezLinemen Conquerors JoustersRushingYards319 295 267LaDarius Galloway Blake Morgan Tra MinterSea Lions Alphas LinemenTouchdowns4Tra MinterSola OlatejuLinemenConquerorsReceivingYards435 424 346Michael Dereus Tevon Wright Reece HornLinemen Alphas LinemenReceptions3737 34Ben PutmanMichael Bandy Tevon WrightLinemenConquerors AlphasTouchdowns5 3 3 3 3 3Isaac Zico KaVontae Turpin Ben Putman Michael Bandy Reece Horn Tavonn SalterLinemen Sea Lions Linemen Conquerors Linemen ConquerorsKickingFGM12 10 8Lirim Hajrullahu Jonathan Song Nathan HierlihyGenerals 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