It’s no secret once a player graces a Spring Football roster they become entrenched in a bit of a cult following that gives players a bit of a fan club for the rest of their careers. As the CFL season wrapped up at the 111th Grey Cup in BC, several Alums of Alt Football Leagues earned themselves a bit of jewelry following the Toronto Argonauts victory against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
Alliance of American Football (2019):
Quincy Mauger Defensive Back Atlanta Legends
Mauger had short stints with the Falcons and Raiders before finding a place in the AAF with the Atlanta Legends. After getting injured in his first game with Atlanta, Mauger went to the CFL in 2022. with the BC Lions before signing with Toronto in February of 2024.
Arena Football Leagues:
Cameron Dukes Quarterback Vegas Knighthawks (IFL)
Dukes was an NAIA QB winning a National Championship in 2020, before embarking on his pro career. After throwing for 27 Touchdowns with the Vegas Knight Hawks of the IFL, Dukes found a nice niche as the Argos short yardage QB, before 9 games in place of Chad Kelly during the 2024 season. Dukes has managed to put together a solid career so far through Two CFL seasons throwing for over 2,000 yards, 9 TDs, while adding another 12 on the ground.
United States Football League (2022-2023):
Bryan Scott Quarterback Philadelphia Stars (2022)
Scott has been a grinder since coming out of Occidental College in 2017. After previous stints in the CFL, Scott dominated the Spring League in 2018, and 2020. Scott finally got an opportunity in 2022 with the Philadelphia Stars dominating the league through the air, before an injury ended his season. After his release from the XFL in 2023 with the Vegas Vipers, Scott has spent the better part of Two years in Toronto going 5/9 for 79 yards and 1 Touchdown.
Ralph Holley Defensive Lineman Philadelphia Stars (2022-2023)
Holley joined Philadelphia after the 2022 NFL Draft as an UDFA. Holley appeared as a rotational Defensive Lineman, set to make more of an impact in 2023 before an injured hindered his season. Holley would start 13 games for Toronto totaling 24 tackles, and 9.0 sacks in his first season in the CFL.
Jordan Williams Defensive Lineman Memphis Showboats (2023)
After his release from the Miami Dolphins Williams signed with the Showboats for the 2023 season putting together 5.5 sacks for Memphis. Williams would sign with the Argos working his way up from the practice squad into the Defensive Line rotation finishing up the season with 12 tackles and 2.0 sacks.
Lirim Hajrullahu Kicker Philadelphia Stars (2023)
Hajrullahu earns his Second Grey Cup after valiantly battling an injury. Hajrullahu’s career has taken him throughout Three leagues, and Eight teams with a stop in Philadelphia in 2023, before returning to the CFL. Hajrullahu was also apart of the Argos 2017 Grey Cup championship team as well.
Richie Sindani Wide Receiver New Orleans Breakers (2023)
Sindani had carved out himself a respectable career in the CFL winning a Grey cup in 2018. Sindani opted for another American opportunity with the New Orleans however would be released after several weeks with the team following a suspension. Sindani returned to the CFL with Hamilton, before signing with the Argos in October of 2023.
XFL (2020/2023):
Tartarus McFadden Defensive Back Tampa Bay Vipers (2020)
McFadden spent Two seasons on and off NFL practice squads before transitioning to the XFL with the Tampa Bay Vipers. After earning All-XFL honors, McFadden went up North spending the last Four years in the CFL winning Two Grey Cups.
Robert Priester Defensive Back Tampa Bay Vipers (2020)
Priester spent Two years in the CFL before playing for his hometown team the Tampa Bay Vipers in the XFL. After the league folded due to COVID, Priester had stints with the Elks and Blue Bombers before finding his footing with the Argos.
Dejon Allen Offensive Lineman St. Louis Battlehawks (2020)
After serving as a reserve Offensive Lineman in 2020, Allen has carved out a career of dominance since joining the Argos in 2021. Allen has earned Three All-Star selections, Two Grey Cups, and the 2023 CFL’s Most Outstanding Lineman award since taking his talents up north.
Jake Herslow Wide Receiver Houston Roughnecks (2023)
Herslow was an allocated player to the Roughnecks coming out of the 2023 XFL Draft. After being released Herslow managed to land a spot on the Argos Practice Squad appearing in One game during the regular season. Herslow landed himself in Argos lore during the championship run scoring a Touchdown against the RedBlacks and looks to increase his role in 2025.
Kenneth George Jr. Defensive Back Houston Roughnecks (2023)
George was allocated to Roughnecks after his tenure with the Titans, following his release George would spend time with the Hamilton Tiger Cats starting 10 games with the Ti-Cats before signing with the Argos in October of 2024.
Sage Doxtater Offensive Lineman Houston Roughnecks (2023)
Doxtater started Five games for the Roughnecks in 2023 before an injury cut his season short. Doxtater would be selected during the Dispersal Draft by the St. Louis Battlehawks, only to be placed on injured reserve prior to the UFL season. Doxtater would sign in October with the Argos as a member of their Practice Squad.
United Football League (2024):
Isaac Darkangelo Linebacker Michigan Panthers (2024)
Darkangelo looked primed to be an All-UFL selection in 2024 after spending some time with the Raiders and Lions in 2023 NFL season. After being released by the Panthers during training camp, Darkangelo would be a midseason signing for the Argos eventually totaling 36 tackles playing a pivotal role in the Argos Grey Cup win.
Benjie Franklin Defensive Back San Antonio Brahmas
Coming out of Tarleton State in 2023, Franklin bounced around the NFL and the CFL before getting a shot with the Brahmas in the UFL. Franklin would be released during initial cuts signing with the Argos on April 2nd. Franklin secured Four interceptions during the Argos Championship run including Two pick sixes.
Mark Milton Defensive Back Birmingham Stallions/San Antonio Brahmas
Milton spent 2023 spending time on the Practice Squad of the Panthers and Dolphins before signing with Birmingham Stallions. Milton would be cut twice during UFL training camp, once by Birmingham and once by San Antonio before joining the Ti-Cats, and Argos during the 2024 CFL season. Milton was a key rotational player for the Argos during their championship run in 2024.
Bonus Round:
Thiadric Hansen Defensive Lineman ELF and GFL
Hansen, a rotational Defensive End and Passing Rushing Specialist played 7 seasons in the German Football League Kiel Baltic Hurricanes, and One season with the Wroclaw Panthers of the ELF. Joining the CFL in 2019, Hansen has earned Three Grey Cups, 5.0 Sacks, 23 Tackles in 58 games.
Final Thoughts:
17 players from the Argos roster have had ties to an Alt-Football League in some shape or form as the Argos reflect on their season. While several players have obviously made an impact coming from spring football in the NFL, it may be a surprise to many the impact these players have in the CFL.
While many argue that American spring football leagues have diluted the talent pool for CFL teams, an argument can be made that it also develops it for teams up North. With the volatility of American Spring Football, the consistency of the CFL serves as another pathway for American players to earn a living playing the game they love, while also helping their teams win championships.
