Tag: Channing Stribling

Former Michigan CB Channing Stribling nets first INT of 2023 USFL season

He did it again! #GoBlue

He did it again as if he never left the field. Yet, it’s a whole new year, a whole new season.

Former Michigan cornerback Channing Stribling led the upstart USFL last year in interceptions. Last season for the Philadelphia Stars, Stribling appeared in seven games and had seven interceptions. It turns out, he had no intention of slowing down despite it being a new year.

Well, so far so good in 2023, as former Arizona State and Memphis quarterback Brady White dropped back and threw the ball right to an open Stribling, waiting patiently for the play to come to him.

Stribling was paired with current Dallas Cowboys cornerback Jourdan Lewis while wearing a winged helmet, and the duo led the country with the nation’s No. 1 pass defense in 2016. Stribling went undrafted and had a few cracks at some NFL training camps and even found himself on a few practice squads — including the Cleveland Browns, Indianapolis Colts (twice), San Francisco 49ers, Washington Commanders, and Los Angeles Chargers — but never got to see any actual game time. He then tried his hand at the AAF, XFL, and CFL, but appears to have found a home where he can thrive in the USFL.

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Former Browns DBs Channing Stribling, Parnell Motley taken in XFL Draft

Former Browns defensive backs Parnell Motley and Channing Stribling have come off the board in the XFL Draft.

Wide receiver Ja’Marcus Bradley was not the only player who has spent time with the Cleveland Browns who has ended up in the XFL today. As they continue to work through their reboot draft, two more players who have spent time with the Browns in training camp have been taken off the board in defensive backs Parnell Motley and Channing Stribling.

Motley spent this past summer with the Browns before failing to make the final-53 man roster. He has also spent time with the Denver Broncos and Tampa Buccaneers since going undrafted out of the University of Oklahoma in the 2020 NFL Draft.

Stribling signed with the Browns as an undrafted free agent after the 2017 NFL Draft but did not make the final-53 man roster. Bouncing from the Browns to the Indianapolis Colts, San Francisco 49ers, Los Angeles Chargers, and Washington Commanders in the NFL, Stribling has spent time in other leagues as well. From the Canadian Football League to the Alliance of American Football, then to the USFL, Stribling now checks off the XFL as well.

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Commanders bring back a former 4th-round draft pick

The Washington Commanders bring back a former draft pick.

One day after NFL teams were required to trim their rosters to 80 players, the Washington Commanders made another move. The Commanders claimed guard Wes Martin off waivers and released cornerback Channing Stribling.

If Martin’s name sounds familiar, it’s because he was a Washington fourth-round draft pick in 2019. He appeared in 25 games for Washington in 2019 and 2020, starting 10 games. Washington released Martin during final cuts last August and re-signed him to the practice squad the following day.

The New York Giants signed Martin off Washington’s practice squad last September, where he appeared in seven games, making one start. The Giants waived Martin after the 2022 NFL draft, and he was claimed off waivers by the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Jaguars waived Martin on Monday.

The Commanders have battled injuries along the offensive line this summer, so Martin has an outside shot at making Washington’s roster.

Stribling signed with the Commanders last month.

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Michigan football player in USFL gets another NFL shot

This is proof that perseverance can go a long way! #GoBlue

Some roads to the NFL are straight — a player gets drafted and then they make the most of their shot. For others, it’s a bit more circuitous.

Such has been the case for former Michigan football standout cornerback Channing Stribling, who, after being a part of the best pass defense in the country in 2016, went undrafted, saw some time on practice squads, but never matriculated into a regular roster spot. Stribling spent the rest of his post-Ann Arbor career bouncing from different start-up leagues, from the AAF, to the XFL, to The Spring League, to the Canadian Football League, to the USFL.

Most recently, Stribling stood out playing for the Philadelphia Stars in the USFL, leading the entire league with seven interceptions. His performance was enough to warrant another go in the NFL, as the Washington Commanders announced that they have signed Stribling to an offseason deal.

The Washington Commanders have added two new faces to their cornerback room by signing free agents DeJuan Neal and Channing Stribling.

[. . .]

Stribling, a former member of the Michigan Wolverines, has been part of multiple professional leagues and was also a member of the USFL with the Philadelphia Stars.

[. . .]

Stribling spent time on the practice squad for the Cleveland Browns, Indianapolis Colts, San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Chargers before leaving the NFL for the Memphis Express in the AAF, which ceased operations in April of 2019.

Over the next three years, Stribling played for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the CFL and the Seattle Dragons in the XFL. Over the course of his time in four professional leagues, Stribling has recorded 55 tackles and nine interceptions, seven of which came with the [Stars] in the USFL.

It’s great news for Stribling, and proof that perseverance can go a long way. Next step is for him to make the 53-man roster, which he’ll have an opportunity to do once training camp begins.

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8 USFL players the Detroit Lions should consider

8 USFL players the Detroit Lions should consider after the league’s first season completed

The first season of the rebooted USFL completed Saturday night in Canton, Ohio. The Birmingham Stallions held off the Philadelphia Stars in a very entertaining and competitive championship game.

Much of the USFL talent pool is filled with players who would love to advance into the NFL. And more than a few showed they have enough ability or unique traits for NFL teams like the Detroit Lions to take a longer look at them now that the USFL season is complete.

Here are eight USFL players who stood out as players the Lions scouting department should dive deeper on in advance of training camp.

Former Michigan football CB makes big INT in first USFL game

This is all he does! When will the NFL give him another shot?

Serious question: how many times does Channing Stribling have to make big plays in various alternate football leagues before he gets another chance in the NFL?

Stribling got his post-Wolverines start on NFL practice squads, but soon found himself playing in just about every start-up — such as The Spring League and the previous iteration of the XFL — as well as a stint in the CFL. He showed off his prowess for takeaways in the XFL, and helped his team in The Spring League by getting a pick six. And now that Stribling is participating in the all-new USFL, nothing has changed.

Now playing for the Philadelphia Stars, Stribling jumped underneath the receiver to secure a big interception, and followed it up with a nice return.

Again and again, the former Wolverine continues to make big plays, no matter what level. And given that these leagues are promoted as essentially a minor league-system for the NFL — and we do occasionally see the shield sign some of these players — hasn’t Stribling done enough to show that he can make an impact at the next level? After all, his backfield compatriot, Jourdan Lewis, continues to be a force for the Dallas Cowboys. Perhaps it’s time for Stribling to get another shot.

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Every former Michigan football player selected in USFL draft

The #ProBlue is strong in the resurgent league.

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The USFL is back and the resurgent league is going through the process of refilling its ranks via the 2022 USFL draft.

Unlike the NFL draft, where teams can pick whoever they want when they get a pick, the USFL draft picks certain position groups by round, going in this order:

  • Round 1: Quarterbacks
  • Rounds 2-4: Edge Rushers/Defensive Ends
  • Rounds 5-7: Offensive Tackles
  • Round 8-11: Cornerbacks
  • Round 12: Quarterbacks
  • Rounds 13-17: Wide Receivers
  • Rounds 18-19: Safeties
  • Round 20: Centers
  • Round 21: Inside Linebackers
  • Rounds 22-23: Offensive Guards
  • Rounds 24-26: Defensive/Nose Tackles
  • Rounds 27-28: Running Backs and Fullbacks
  • Rounds 29-31: Outside Linebackers
  • Round 32: Kickers
  • Round 33: Punters
  • Round 34: Tight Ends/H-backs
  • Round 35: Long Snappers

At the time of this writing, the draft is still ongoing, but several Michigan football players have been selected, highlighted by No. 1 overall pick, quarterback Shea Patterson.

Here’s everyone that’s been selected thus far.

Former Michigan corner finds new home in CFL

After a successful stint in The Spring League, the former Wolverines cornerback hopes the third time with the CFL franchise is the charm.

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What a journey it has been.

Despite being a part of the No. 1 pass defense in the country and one half of a reliable tandem with Jourdan Lewis, Channing Stribling hasn’t gotten the accolades or the job opportunities generally afforded to such talents. Lewis was drafted in the third-round of the 2017 NFL Draft and still starts most weeks for the Dallas Cowboys. But Stribling has had a more circuitous route.

He went undrafted and then spent time on the practice squads for the Cleveland Browns, Indianapolis Colts, San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Chargers, but never got a chance in the NFL proper. He then went to the AAF, playing for the Memphis Express until the league folded. Then he went to the XFL, and played for the Seattle Dragons before that league folded. He signed with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the CFL and was on their practice squad, re-signing with the franchise after his foray with the XFL. But when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Stribling opted out of his contract and tried his hand in The Spring League, a professional development league that played most of its games at the Alamodome in San Antonio.

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However, when the lights were brightest, so was Stribling, as he helped his team win the championship in Orlando, reeling in two interceptions, including a pick-six.

Now, he’s returning to Canada, hoping that his third contract with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats is a charm, as he’s signed yet another contract with the franchise.

He’s the second former Wolverine to get an opportunity coming out of The Spring League as running back De’Veon Smith signed with the BC Lions after his stint in the development league.

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Former Michigan CB propels TSL team to championship with 2 INT, pick-six

In The Spring League championship game, Stribling played a big role for the Generals, nabbing 2 INT with one being a pick-six.

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Like De’Veon Smith, his former teammate at Michigan football, Channing Stribling hasn’t quite been able to find a home in the professional ranks. But his road was a little longer.

Despite being a part of the nation’s best pass defense in 2016, unlike his counterparts in Jourdan Lewis and Jeremy Clark, Stribling didn’t get drafted. Instead, he found himself on the Cleveland Browns practice squad. But as soon as the season started, he was looking for yet a new opportunity. That came a week later, when the Colts picked him up for their practice squad. But again, months later, he was looking for a new home.

The cycle continued, as Stribling found himself on practice squads for the 49ers, the Colts (again), and the Chargers. He then tried his hand with the AAF’s Memphis Express, before the league went defunct. Then he signed with the CFL’s Hamilton Tiger Cats’ practice squad before getting some time with the XFL’s Seattle Dragons — but then that league also went under. He re-signed with the Tiger Cats, but when The Spring League started up, he leapt at the chance, opting out of his contract and showing what he could do in the professional developmental league.

And he showed out, that’s what he did.

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Playing for the Generals, Stribling ended up leading the league with four interceptions, two in the championship game played on Tuesday night in Orlando. With a pick-six, he helped put away Smith’s Aviators when his touchdown put them up two scores en route to a 37-14 championship win.

Smith used The Spring League to get an opportunity in the CFL. Will Stribling be getting a call from a professional league soon? Seems like his play warrants a look.

At Michigan, Stribling had six interceptions and 15 passes deflected, with the bulk of that coming in his final season (4 INT and 12 PD).

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Top prospects from The Spring League for the Browns to consider

The Spring League got just 3 weeks in before COVID canceled it, but several prospects showed enough to get looks in the NFL

COVID-19 has taken another football league from us! First the XFL and now The Spring League. The Spring League, which occurred in the fall this year, was only able to complete three weeks before being forced to cancel due to COVID complications. With that said, there were a few players who shined and clearly deserve a longer look for the NFL.

Shea Patterson, QB, Blues, 6-2, 212 pounds:

Most fans are already aware of Patterson due to him being the starting quarterback at Michigan last season and going undrafted in the 2020 NFL Draft. Patterson was largely viewed as a mid-round prospect, but his lack of accuracy was obviously too much for teams to overlook. He went undrafted and was signed by the Kansas City Chiefs and eventually cut due to roster cutdowns.

Patterson is only 23 years old and there is still time for him to improve. He already looks like a different quarterback. He has gained some positive weight and is still an electric runner, but the most important thing is his accuracy looks improved. He is not going to start in the NFL, but he is young enough and athletic enough for someone to take a deeper look. He ended the season as the second leading passer with a 61% completion rate, 571 yards and six touchdowns.

Channing Stribling, CB, Generals, 6-2, 180 pounds:

Stribling already had a shot with the Cleveland Browns as he was signed as a free agent after the 2017 draft, but he looks like a more properly equipped corner in 2020. Despite only being 25 years old, Stribling has bounced around with five NFL teams, a stint in the now-defunct AAF and XFL. Stribling was re-signed by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the CFL, but decided to opt out of his contract due to that league canceling its season.

Stribling has always had the ideal length and aggressiveness to play in the NFL, but his lack of acceleration and stiff hips made him a liability. He looked to have cleaned up some of those issues in The Spring League, but that can be a hard thing to judge due to the step down in competition. Stribling is still worth a shot.

Matthew Sexton, WR, Aviators, 5-11, 175 pounds:

Sexton went undrafted out of Eastern Michigan in 2020 and failed to receive a shot in the NFL, but after dominating in The Spring League it seems that may have been a mistake. Sexton is small but has excellent speed; the 4.44 forty time he registered at his pro day was no fluke. Sexton deserves an NFL shot and he has enough athleticism to at least contribute on special teams, especially as a returner.

Ricky Aguayo, K, Jousters, 6-0, 207 pounds:

Aguayo is the younger brother of famed Tampa Bay Buccaneer bust, Roberto Aguayo. Although he doesn’t have the illustrious collegiate career of his older brother, Ricky can hold his own. In week two, Aguayo nailed all five of his attempts including a 50-yarder. Wouldn’t be a bad prospect to bring in for a workout…

Sal Cannella, TE, Generals, 6-5, 228 pounds:

Cannella went undrafted out of Auburn and had very little production with only 10 receptions his senior season, but he was playing wide receiver for the Tigers. He appears to have bulked up and looks considerably more than the 228 pounds he was listed at in college. He didn’t receive an undrafted contract coming out, but after seeing the new an improved Cannella in The Spring League that may have been a mistake.