The Spring League 2020: The Conquerors’ Roster Breakdown

The Fall edition of The Spring league has recently released the rosters for the 6 teams taking part in its camp starting later this month. I will be focusing on coverage for the Jerry Glanville-coached Conquerors team.

The league has already released the team names and logos for the 6 clubs. Now that we have the full rosters, let’s meet your TSL Conquerors:

OFFENSE

QBs

The quarterbacks that we chosen by the Conquerors were Tulane’s dual-threat lefty Justin McMillan, and Fordham’s pocket-passer Kevin Anderson. McMillan began his college career at LSU, but transferred after the 2017 season. Anderson was signed to the Ottawa RedBlacks of the CFL last December.

McMillan threw for over 3700 yards and 27 TDs in his 2 years at Tulane, while also rushing for over 950 yards and 17 TDs. Anderson was 2nd-team All-Patriot League his senior season at Fordham.

RBs

The running backs that were selected by the club were the speedster Jordan Cronkite out of South Florida, feature back Sola Olateju from Wheaton University, and the power runner from Truman State, Jordan Salima.

Cronkite started at Florida before transferring to USF in 2017 where he rushed for over 1800 yards, and 13 TDs while averaging over 5.5 yards per carry.

Olateju set a school record for career rushing yards with 3,194 and 31 TDs, while averaging over 6.5 yards per rush. Salima finished at Truman State with 51,10 all-purpose yards and 43 TDs accounted for, including 2 threw the air.

WRs

The WR corps for the Conquerors is a talented mix of guys that can play multiple positions, and produce in many different ways.

Nick Holley was a WR/RB/QB at Kent State and played RB with the XFL’s Houston Roughnecks. Holley finished at Kent State with over 3,800 all-purpose yards and 33 TDs.

Primarily used in the passing game, Holley finished the shortened XFL season with 21 receptions for 267 yards and 2 TDs.

Malik Foreman was a WR/DB in high school, but returned kicks and played in the defensive secondary at the University of Tennessee. Averaging over 17 yards a return, Foreman is a weapon with the ball in space.

Vinny Papale attended the University of Delaware as a WR, finishing his career as a Blue Hen with 55 receptions, 866 yards and 6 TDs.

If his name sound familiar, he is the son of former Philadelphia Eagles WR Vince Papale, who was immortalized by Mark Wahlberg in the movie Invincible.

Patrick Smith played receiver at Middle Tennessee State, where he finished with 114 catches and 1226 yards with 12 TDs. Smith played multiple positions in High School, and can add a lot to the offense.

Michael Bandy is a 2-time All-American at the University of San Diego. Averaged over 140 yards a game his junior year, and 96 ypg his senior year. Bandy finished his career at USD with 192 catches, 3,294 yards and 28 TDs.

TE’s

The tight end group has nice combination of pass catchers and blocking skills. Dimitrios Tsesmetzis is a big body guy at the end of the line, but is extremely athletic for his 6’6″ 250 lbs frame.

Matt Seybert brings the Power 5 level experience, and can also do both jobs at a high level.

OL

The offensive line is comprised of guys who have competed at a high level, either in FBS, FCS, or in some type of professional league.

Starting on the outside, tackles Avery Young (Auburn), and Quinn Oseland (Minnesota) played on very talented offensive lines in the SEC and the BigTen.

Young has also played guard in the NFL, CFL, AAF, and XFL. He brings that type of experience to the TSL Conquerors. Oseland is a big mauler, that also brings his blonde locks to the game, just ask anyone who has played opposite him, his hair is a big part of his game.

At guard, Jackson Scott-Brown (Northern Iowa), Saige Young (Vanderbilt), and Robert Myers (Tennessee State) are guys with a lot of good experience, and the tools to give our QBs the time they need to throw the ball, and the holes the RBs need to succeed in the running game.

Robert Myers has also played in the NFL, the AAF, and the XFL.

Former Washington Huskies C Siosifa Tufunga was a major anchor on the line in the Pac12, and also has professional experience in the AFL (Arena).

DEFENSE

DL

Chris Richardson (UTEP), and Chigozie Nnoruka (Miami/UCLA) will set the tone in the middle of the Conquerors defensive line. Both earned All-Conference honors in college, and were disruptors of their respective defenses.

On the edges, Kenneth Mann (Oklahoma), Chase Hatada (Boise State), and Justin Thomas-Thornton (Jacksonville state) are guys that can after the passer, and stop the run from the outside.

Mann and Hatada earned All-Conference honors while in school, and all 3 are known problems for opposing offensive lines in the pass game. Not only can they get in the backfield, but their inner clocks are always running, and they know when to get their hands up and knock passes down at the point of attack.

LBs

Each of these guys were maulers at their respective schools. They all logged over 200 tackles in their collegiate careers. Some bring in professional experience as well.

Hall had over 400 tackles at SE Missouri, with 15.5 sacks and 6 INts. Jawuan Johnson had 31.5 tackles for loss, and 7 INTs at TCU. Davis was All-SEC at Auburn, and Jones-Davis also had All-Conference honors in the MAC (1st and 3rd teams). Royce See had 10.5 sacks and 4 INTs at Sam Houston State.

Davis and Johnson have played professionally. Davis also played in the CFL, and Johnson played in the XFL.

DBs

The Conquerors secondary bring high-level experience and versatility to the defense. Calhoun played WR in college, so he brings speed and skilled hands to the outside. Harris and Exford have played in the NFL, and Merritt is an absolute ballhawk, with 168 tackles at Campbell, and 7INTs. He also played in the AAF and the XFL.

K/P

Our specialist is Matt Mengel (UCLA), has a monster leg. A punter by trade, he will be leaned on for our field goals and extra points as well. In 2 years at UCLA, he had 35 punts inside the 20, 14 over 50 yards with twice hitting one over 60.