The Spring League kicks off in April and it will feature some notable names looking to resurrect their football careers. Defensive end Greg Hardy, tight end Kellen Winslow Jr., cornerback Brandon Browner, and running back Ben Tate are among the players who have been confirmed as participants, according to a press release. 
Winslow has not played in an NFL game since the 2013 season and we haven’t heard much from him since he worked out for the Packers last August. Tate, a former second-round pick, showed lots of promise in Houston but could not capitalize on a starting opportunity with the Browns in 2014. Hardy and Browner first committed to the league in early March.
The Spring League consists of four teams comprised of veteran free agents. The league will conduct practices and play six games from April 5 through April 26. Players who are currently on NFL rosters will not be eligible to participate.
The league has secured five quarterbacks thus far, including Chiefs 2011 fifth-round pick Ricky Stanzi and NFL practice squad journeyman McLeod Bethel-Thompson. At wide receiver, there’s former Ram Brandon Gibson, Jets 2014 fourth-round pick Jalen Saunders, and one-time Bills WR2 David Nelson. Former Jets defensive back Ellis Lankster and Texans 2013 third-round defensive tackle Sam Montgomery will also be suiting up for The Spring League next month.
The full list of players can be found below. In addition to those listed here, Pro Football Rumors has learned that another 30 players are expected to join prior to the start of training camp.
Quarterbacks
- Hutson Mason
- Ricky Stanzi
- McLeod Bethel-Thompson
- Zach Kline
- Jeremy Cannon
Running backs
- Zachery Bauman
- Kelsey Young
- Josh Robinson
- Ben Tate
- Noel Devine
- Adam Cox (FB)
Wide receivers
- Jalen Saunders
- David Nelson
- Kenzel Doe
- Brandon Gibson
- Daje’ Johnson
- Gavin Lutman
- Tyler McDonald
- J.D. Woods
- Sed Cunningham
- Lawrence Smith
- Terrance Lewis
- Rashon Ceaser
- Kendrick Wiggins
Tight ends
- Kellen Winslow Jr.
- Justin Tukes
- Marcel Jensen
- Adrian Hubbard
- Jordan Thompson
- Christoper Bazile
- Jacob Harper
- Jonathan Powell
- Mandel Dixon
- Cody Gibson
Offensive Lineman
- Michael Brewster
- Jordan Walsh
- Lucas Powell
- Amadou Konte
- William Smith
- Randall Harris
- Trevan Brown
- Mitchell Bell
- Dominic Jackson
Punters
- Ben LeCompte
- Mattias Ciabatti
- Kyle Martens
Kickers
- Joshua Gable
Linebackers
- Ridge Wilson
- Orie Lemon
- Will Smith
- Taylor McCuller
- James Ross
- Rennie Curran
- Tavarius Wilson
- Tyler Starr
- Kyle Kragen
- Zach Hodges
- Tyrone Ward
- Jewell Ratliff
- Andrew Jackson
- Sage Harold
- Isaiah Bruce
- Takari Johnson
- Ezekiel Bigger
Defensive Ends
- Greg Hardy
- Rakim Cox
- Francis Nouvi
- Ryne Giddins
- Elhadji Ndiaye
- Jack Sherlock
Defensive Tackles
- Sam Montgomery
- Ryan Giddins
- Quanterus Smith
- Patrick McNeil
- Demetrius Mason
- Micanor Regis
- Marcus Bagley
- Ollie Ogbu
- Calvin Heurtelou
Cornerbacks
- Justin Green
- Brandon Smith
- Brandon Browner
- Ellis Lankster
- Matt Smalley
- Marquis Drayton
- Bradley Sylve
Safeties
- Pierre Warren
- Michael McNeil
- Anthony Nixon Jr.
- Avery Cunningham
- Brandon Person
- Joshua Furman
- Jeremy Johnson
Long Snappers
- Avery Rigg
- Lance Schuffert
Sounds like a league for players who just can’t admit their football careers are over.
What happened to Peyton Hillis??
This will be Must See TV! Lol.
Noel Devine was a hell of a back, just sayin.
My anticipation is building for a Michael Sam reemergence. lol