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.
