With the 2nd UFL Season rapidly approaching several mainstays of Spring Football have begun to hang up their cleats. Over the past several weeks many players who have entertained and fought for a chance at an opportunity play football at a professional level.
Anree Saint-Armour Defensive Line
Saint-Armour had become a figure in Spring Football, following stints with the Minnesota Vikings, and BC Lions. After finding his footing in the Spring League, Saint-Armour became a consistent contributor for the New Orleans Breakers in 2022, and 2023 before finding himself selected in the Dispersal Draft by the Birmingham Stallions. After being released by Birmingham during final cuts, Saint-Armour put together a solid season with the Arlington Renegades before calling it quits. Saint-Armour finishes his career with 79 Tackles and 10.5 sacks between his time in the USFL and UFL.
Deondre Francois Quarterback
After gaining recognition for his time at Florida State Deondre Francois fought for an opportunity to play outdoors after lighting up Fan Controlled Football in 2021 and 2022. The Florida State/Hampton QB had a short stint platooning with Ben Holmes in the Spring League in 2021, before finding steady employment with the Orlando Guardians in 2023, and 2024 with the D.C. Defenders. Francois’ outdoor career never took off in the XFL/UFL, however did manage to create one of the more memorable sound bites of the 2023 XFL season. He finishes his career with 290 passing yards 3 TDs and 2 Ints between his time in the Spring League, XFL, and UFL along with 29 TDs during his time in Fan Control Football.
Santos Ramirez Defensive Back
A veteran of the 2020 XFL, Ramirez calls it a career after appearing in Three Professional seasons, and short stint with the NY Jets. Ramirez has been a solid contributor for the Defenders for the past Two years and finishes his career with 93 Tackles, 1 sack, and 2 Interceptions one of which was returned for a Touchdown.
Scott Nelson Defensive Back
Nelson was a UDFA in 2022, spending time on the Practice Squads of the Seahawks, Steelers, and Texans before joining the San Antonio Brahmas on January 19th. A starter his lone season in the UFL Nelson recorded 27 Tackles for the XFL Conference Champions before calling it a career.
AJ Hendy Defensive Back
Another veteran of the 2020 XFL, Hendy’s career has spanned from the NFL, CFL, XFL 2.0/3.0 and then finally the UFL. A UDFA out of Maryland Hendy has enjoyed a career that has spanned over 37 games totaling 111 Tackles, and an Interception. Hendy calls it a career after spending time with the Dolphins, Chargers, Texans, New York Guardians, Saskatchewan RoughRiders, Houston Roughnecks, and XFL Conference Champion San Antonio Brahmas.
Cody Latimer Tight End
Latimer was one of the XFL/UFL’s more notable names when he was drafted in 2023 to the Orlando Guardians. A Super Bowl Champion and veteran of 66 NFL games, a season ending injury cut short Latimer’s final season as a professional. An All-XFL Tight End in 2023, Latimer finishes his Spring Football career with 86 Receptions, 984 Receiving Yards, and 5 TDs.
Final Thoughts:
As the season continues to push towards opening kickoff, it is expected more stalwarts of Spring Football continue to hang up the cleats. As younger players continue to push for an opportunity at the professional level, it is only inevitable that older players whose NFL window has closed begin to look at the next chapter in their career.
For many football fans, the ability to see many of the above mentioned players continue their careers on a national level is a privilege that should not be taken for granted as Spring Football continues into it’s 7th consecutive season dating back to 2019.
