Category Archives: The Spring League

AAF, NFL, The Spring League

Edwards, SaQwan

Card: Topps AAF 2019 Certified
Acquired: 2019, EBay

After making his mark at Blinn Junior College, SaQwan Edwards transferred to New Mexico where he played from 2012 to 2014. Originally for the Lobos, SaQuan was a wide receiver. He’d record 11 plays from scrimmage for 90 yards and a TD. Then he’d convert over to corner in 2013 and post 42 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 3 fumble recoveries, 4 pass deflections and an interception. Edwards improved off those numbers slightly in 2014 with an additional 42 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, 9 pass deflections, and 2 interceptions.

After not being drafted, thanks in part to a highly publicized rape accusation that was later dismissed, SaQwan was signed by the Raiders, and spent a good portion of 2015 and 2016 on and off the bubble of the team’s practice squad. In 2017, he was briefly a member of the Giants, before moving on to The Spring League in 2018.

In early 2019, SaQwan signed with the Arizona Hotshots of the AAF and saw limited playing time with the team making 1 tackle and a pass deflection on the season. He was later selected by the Houston Roughnecks of the XFL 2020, but declined to join the franchise after feeling the pay was not sufficient enough.

NFL, The Spring League, ufl

Devine, Noel

Card: Upper Deck College Legends 2011
Acquired: 2019, Box Breaker

Shifty and speedy, Noel Devine posted solid numbers while he played college ball at West Virginia. He finished his college career with 4317 yards on 729 carries, scoring 29 TDs. Noel also had 98 receptions for 710 yards for 2 TDs. His personal best was in 2009 when he posted 241 carries for 1465 yards and 13 TDs on the ground. Due to his size (5’7, 160), an ankle injury, and a poor combine showing- Noel was not drafted during the 2011 draft.

He was signed by the Philadelphia Eagles, but after 4 days he left the team for undisclosed reasons. Unable to find an NFL squad, Noel joined the UFL Omaha Nighthawks (2011) for a season rushing 5 times for 14 yards and a TD, while catching 2 passes for 20 yards. The following year he’d join the Montreal Alouettes of the CFL playing there for two seasons (2012-2013). After a short off-season with the Edmonton Eskimos, he returned to WVU to finish his law degree in 2015.

During 2017 he resurrected his football career joining The Spring League, and in early 2019 signed with the Wheeling Roughriders of the American Arena League. He was among the players available for the XFL 2020 pool, but was not selected.

I pulled this autograph from a box of Upper Deck College Legends I bought in 2019. It’s rarer and rarer to see on card autographs, but overall I was pretty impressed with the look of this shot.

UFL RUSHYDSAVGTDLGRECYDSAVGTDLG
5142.811022010.0011
CFL RUSHYDSAVGTDLGRECYDSAVGTDLG
22904.10211313110.1310
Arena, NFL, The Spring League

Fafaul, Mike

Card: Sage 2017
Acquired: 2018, Box Breaker

Mike Fafaul went to UCLA where he played sparingly for the Bruins as a backup (behind Brett Hundley and Josh Rosen) until 2016. Participating in 8 contests, Mike threw for 1602 yards (135 of 259 passes) for 12 TDs and 11 interceptions. He set a school record when he threw 40 completions, 5 TD passes and a bit over 500 yards against Utah. Going unselected in the 2017 NFL Draft, Fafaul went to a few mini camps in the NFL (Ravens, Redskins) and CFL.

Ultimately he’d end up as Tommy Grady’s backup playing for the Albany Empire of the Arena Football League. During his rookie season Mike was 3 of 9 for 18 yards and an interception.  In 2019, he was spotted in Austin working with The Spring League. Mike later signed with the Jacksonville Sharks of the National Arena League.