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FIVE FORMER BUCKEYES ON INAUGURAL ALLIANCE OF AMERICAN FOOTBALL ROSTERS
Kevin Harrish on January 30, 2019 at 10:45 pm @kevinish
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Football season traditionally ends with the Super Bowl, but this year a new football league is kicking off, giving you the chance to watch some former Buckeyes well into April.
The Alliance of American Football kicks off its inaugural season on Saturday, Feb. 9, and five former Ohio State players are on 52-man rosters to open the season.
Chase Farris, Doran Grant and Tracy Sprinkle will all play for the Atlanta Legends while Jalin Marshall will play for the Orlando Apollos and Marcus Baugh for the San Diego Fleet.
The eight-team league will have two games every Saturday and Sunday from Feb. 9 through April 14, with playoffs following.
Atlanta, Orlando and San Diego are all set to open their seasons on Feb. 9 at 8 p.m., with the Fleet traveling to play the San Antonio Commanders and the Apollos hosting the Legends.
You can see the full rosters of all eight teams here.
https://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio...YdxvQc6fezgF-WlmQSG8POY5RGIkjlitxEq45e--MYfZ8
Kevin Harrish on January 30, 2019 at 10:45 pm @kevinish
Email this ArticleShare on RedditShare on TwitterShare on Facebook606
47 COMMENTS
Football season traditionally ends with the Super Bowl, but this year a new football league is kicking off, giving you the chance to watch some former Buckeyes well into April.
The Alliance of American Football kicks off its inaugural season on Saturday, Feb. 9, and five former Ohio State players are on 52-man rosters to open the season.
Chase Farris, Doran Grant and Tracy Sprinkle will all play for the Atlanta Legends while Jalin Marshall will play for the Orlando Apollos and Marcus Baugh for the San Diego Fleet.
The eight-team league will have two games every Saturday and Sunday from Feb. 9 through April 14, with playoffs following.
Atlanta, Orlando and San Diego are all set to open their seasons on Feb. 9 at 8 p.m., with the Fleet traveling to play the San Antonio Commanders and the Apollos hosting the Legends.
You can see the full rosters of all eight teams here.
https://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio...YdxvQc6fezgF-WlmQSG8POY5RGIkjlitxEq45e--MYfZ8
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Shaker Heights class of 2011. Injured his senior year. Attended OSU and walked onto the track team.
His brief shot at getting back on a football field after 9 years has ended. He was cut Jan 19.
https://aaf.com/keon-willis-back-on-the-right-track-pursuing-football-dream/
Keon Willis: Back on the right track pursuing his football dream
By Chantel Buchi
It's a blessing that cornerback Keon Willis is playing football, let alone running, on the field with the Salt Lake Stallions.
“In high school, I was told I would never play football again and it would be difficult for me to walk when I’m 21,” Willis said.
At Shaker Heights High School in Ohio, Willis ran track, played basketball, sang in the choir and was a dancer. Although he was talented in many areas, his passion was football.
But on a Saturday night at the end of the 2010 football season his senior year, his whole life changed. Willis took a hard hit to the crown of his helmet and it wasn't until soon after he stepped off to the sidelines did he realize something was terribly wrong.
“I was in a lot of pain,” Willis said. “I had to get my pads off of me. When people touched my arm, it felt like knives driving through my skin. I cried for 30 minutes straight on the bus ride home.”
After some tests, the doctor called a week later to let Willis know he had two herniated disks putting pressure on his spinal cord. This limited fluid to the area and caused problems to his nervous system.
During that phone call, the doctor told him the bad news.
“He called and said ‘just want to let you know you’re going to be fine, expect football is done and it has potential to get worse as you get older. It might be rough walking around 21. Prepare for what comes next’,” Willis said.
Although Willis was told he could no longer play football, that didn’t stop him from walking on with the track team at Ohio State University. He competed in the 400-meter race and long jump while longing to be on the turf in a helmet and pads.
“I hated track,” Willis said. “Not anything against track, itself, but it just wasn’t football.”
Cont'd ...
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ScriptOhio
Everybody is somebody else's weirdo.
AAF 2019: Steve Spurrier is back in his comfort zone coaching the Orlando Apollos in the Alliance of American Football
After a three-year break from football, Spurrier hopes to make Orlando a title contender
Observing Steve Spurrier in his natural element deserved the David Attenborough treatment.
On the football fields of San Antonio in central Texas, a Spurrier has emerged from the winter months. He stands with his arms crossed, observing the swarming chaos around him. At 73 years old, a Spurrier can continue coaching for years beyond similar species. Research scientists have concluded Spurrier's wit and intelligence are amongst the highest of his kind found anywhere in the world.
Entire article: https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/...apollos-in-the-alliance-of-american-football/
After a three-year break from football, Spurrier hopes to make Orlando a title contender
Observing Steve Spurrier in his natural element deserved the David Attenborough treatment.
On the football fields of San Antonio in central Texas, a Spurrier has emerged from the winter months. He stands with his arms crossed, observing the swarming chaos around him. At 73 years old, a Spurrier can continue coaching for years beyond similar species. Research scientists have concluded Spurrier's wit and intelligence are amongst the highest of his kind found anywhere in the world.
Entire article: https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/...apollos-in-the-alliance-of-american-football/
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https://www.cbssports.com/aaf/news/...e-things-to-know-for-new-pro-football-league/
I'm really rooting for this thing to work out. For football fans in general, we should be rooting for this thing to work, it'd be interesting to see a legit minor league for the NFL, with players that we're all familiar with. I heard a rumor that Columbus may have a team in the league soon if this works out this season, it'd be great to have some teams in markets outside of the ones that already have NFL teams(I.e. Columbus, Lousiville, San Jose, Oakland-won't have a team for long, Norfolk, etc).
I'm really rooting for this thing to work out. For football fans in general, we should be rooting for this thing to work, it'd be interesting to see a legit minor league for the NFL, with players that we're all familiar with. I heard a rumor that Columbus may have a team in the league soon if this works out this season, it'd be great to have some teams in markets outside of the ones that already have NFL teams(I.e. Columbus, Lousiville, San Jose, Oakland-won't have a team for long, Norfolk, etc).
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ScriptOhio
Everybody is somebody else's weirdo.
Buckeyes in Alliance of American Football
Here’s a quick look at Buckeye player involved with the league.
WR JALIN MARSHALL, ORLANDO APOLLOS
Jalin Marshall left Ohio State with eligibility still remaining and was an undrafted free agent. He signed with the New York Jets and lasted just two seasons, dealing with a suspension to start 2017 before he was eventually cut. He will now get an opportunity with the Orlando Apollos in the AAF.
TE MARCUS BAUGH, SAN DIEGO FLEET
It took some time but Marcus Baugh eventually became a contributor for Ohio State over his final two seasons in Columbus. He signed with the Oakland Raiders after going undrafted in the 2018 NFL Draft but did not last long before he was waived. Playing for the San Diego Fleet will give Baugh a chance to prove that his NFL career is not quite over.
OL CHASE FARRIS
Chase Farris moved back and forth from the defensive line to the offensive line as a Buckeye. He eventually settled on the offensive line and was a part of 2014 national championship-winning Scarlet and Gray team. Farris went undrafted before landing on the practice squads of the Detroit Lions and then the New England Patriots. An Achilles saw him get cut in 2017.
CB DORAN GRANT
Doran Grant was a two-year starter for Ohio State his junior and senior seasons. He was selected in the fourth round of the 2015 NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers but was waived before the start of the year. Grant bounced around the NFL with short stints with the Buffalo Bills, New York Giants, Jacksonville Jaguars and Chicago Bears.
DT TRACY SPRINKLE
After tearing his patellar tendon in his first career start for Ohio State, Tracy Sprinkle eventually got to play a big role as a senior in 2017. He was not selected in the 2018 NFL Draft and subsequently signed an undrafted free agent contract with the Carolina Panthers. While he remained with the Panthers' roster for some time, Sprinkle was eventually waived.
Entire article: https://www.buckeyeplanet.com/forum...erican-football-official-thread.661308/page-2
Here’s a quick look at Buckeye player involved with the league.
WR JALIN MARSHALL, ORLANDO APOLLOS
Jalin Marshall left Ohio State with eligibility still remaining and was an undrafted free agent. He signed with the New York Jets and lasted just two seasons, dealing with a suspension to start 2017 before he was eventually cut. He will now get an opportunity with the Orlando Apollos in the AAF.
TE MARCUS BAUGH, SAN DIEGO FLEET
It took some time but Marcus Baugh eventually became a contributor for Ohio State over his final two seasons in Columbus. He signed with the Oakland Raiders after going undrafted in the 2018 NFL Draft but did not last long before he was waived. Playing for the San Diego Fleet will give Baugh a chance to prove that his NFL career is not quite over.
OL CHASE FARRIS
Chase Farris moved back and forth from the defensive line to the offensive line as a Buckeye. He eventually settled on the offensive line and was a part of 2014 national championship-winning Scarlet and Gray team. Farris went undrafted before landing on the practice squads of the Detroit Lions and then the New England Patriots. An Achilles saw him get cut in 2017.
CB DORAN GRANT
Doran Grant was a two-year starter for Ohio State his junior and senior seasons. He was selected in the fourth round of the 2015 NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers but was waived before the start of the year. Grant bounced around the NFL with short stints with the Buffalo Bills, New York Giants, Jacksonville Jaguars and Chicago Bears.
DT TRACY SPRINKLE
After tearing his patellar tendon in his first career start for Ohio State, Tracy Sprinkle eventually got to play a big role as a senior in 2017. He was not selected in the 2018 NFL Draft and subsequently signed an undrafted free agent contract with the Carolina Panthers. While he remained with the Panthers' roster for some time, Sprinkle was eventually waived.
Entire article: https://www.buckeyeplanet.com/forum...erican-football-official-thread.661308/page-2
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ScriptOhio
Everybody is somebody else's weirdo.
Shoelaces......
Then his agent called and told him about an upstart league. He was unsure. The CFL had called, but he had turned them down. The combination of pay, tax rates and being in Canada, far from his young son, was not palatable. This new opportunity was closer. The money was decent. But he knew nothing about the AAF.
The 28-year-old was sick of sitting on his couch in Florida and flying to Michigan to do the occasional appearance. Yet Robinson wasn't fully ready to pursue post-playing plans. He had sketched out potential playbooks to use if he pursued coaching and had written his thoughts and memories down for a potential book about his life and his time at Michigan, where he's still revered.
.
.
.
So he agreed to play but had to get in shape first. Robinson said he weighed 240 pounds in November and "had a Gucci Mane belly" -- a massive change from his time at Michigan, when he was maybe 180 pounds. He looked in the mirror, bigger than he'd ever been in his life, and wondered, "What in the world are you doing?"
Robinson dropped 25 pounds in two months to reach 215. He wants to get down to 200 pounds eventually, though he might never return to his old weight again. Along the way, he figured this was a real chance. The NFL might see his tape. Give him one more shot.
http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/...can-football-hell-yeah-playing-football-again
Then his agent called and told him about an upstart league. He was unsure. The CFL had called, but he had turned them down. The combination of pay, tax rates and being in Canada, far from his young son, was not palatable. This new opportunity was closer. The money was decent. But he knew nothing about the AAF.
The 28-year-old was sick of sitting on his couch in Florida and flying to Michigan to do the occasional appearance. Yet Robinson wasn't fully ready to pursue post-playing plans. He had sketched out potential playbooks to use if he pursued coaching and had written his thoughts and memories down for a potential book about his life and his time at Michigan, where he's still revered.
.
.
.
So he agreed to play but had to get in shape first. Robinson said he weighed 240 pounds in November and "had a Gucci Mane belly" -- a massive change from his time at Michigan, when he was maybe 180 pounds. He looked in the mirror, bigger than he'd ever been in his life, and wondered, "What in the world are you doing?"
Robinson dropped 25 pounds in two months to reach 215. He wants to get down to 200 pounds eventually, though he might never return to his old weight again. Along the way, he figured this was a real chance. The NFL might see his tape. Give him one more shot.
http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/...can-football-hell-yeah-playing-football-again
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OHSportsFan
Fan of Ohio Sports in Indy
Screw it. It’s football, it’s Saturday night and it’s on at the bar. Let’s do this thing.
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