Former BYU Football Players Are Teammates Again In ‘The Spring League’
May 7, 2021, 11:07 PM
Tejan Koroma celebrates a touchdown during football practice at BYU in Provo on Monday, July 31, 2017. (Kristin Murphy, Deseret News)
(Kristin Murphy, Deseret News)
PROVO, Utah – If you need your BYU football fix this spring, you can tune in to watch some former Cougars compete in “The Spring League.”
A trio of former BYU football players in Tejan Koroma, Tomasi Laulile, and Manoa Pikula are all teammates once again in TSL. The former Cougars are playing the 2021 spring league season for the Jousters. They begin their six-week 2021 season against the Generals on Saturday. The game will be televised nationally on FOX.
First look at the rosters for the #TSLJousters 🐎 at #TSL2021!
In Week 1, the Jousters will face the Generals from Rice Stadium in #Houston at 3 pm ET on Saturday, May 8! It will be the first game in league history to air on FOX.
The game is not open to the public. pic.twitter.com/ty7dgEFMKL
— The Spring League 🏈 (@TheSpringLeague) May 5, 2021
If you’re not familiar with The Spring League, it’s a developmental league and showcase for players who have been part of NFL organizations in the past. Players are not paid to compete. But they are compensated with housing and food during the season. The biggest benefit to the league is another opportunity to put out some quality film for NFL teams to evaluate.
Former BYU players in The Spring League
Tejan Koroma was a four-year starter at the center spot during his BYU career from 2014-17. Koroma had a season where he was part of the Kansas City Chiefs organization in 2018. Last season, Koroma was part of the Athletic Performance team at Tulsa University.
Mark your calendars for #TSL2021 📅
All games will be televised on the @FOXSports family of networks!https://t.co/g3C0PaXgZr
🎨: @jjhernandez_11 pic.twitter.com/UkDL3ZsO7D
— The Spring League 🏈 (@TheSpringLeague) May 5, 2021
Tomasi Laulile is one of the more underrated defensive ends at BYU during the Independence era for the program. Laulile went on to have two full years in NFL organizations with the Indianapolis Colts and New Orleans Saints. In 2020, Laulile played in the XFL before the league was shut down due to COVID-19. Laulile has stayed in shape, ready for his chance back into the NFL by training with former BYU teammate Travis Tuiloma.
Manoa Pikula was a four-year linebacker for BYU from 2012-15. In 2016, Pikula signed with the Green Bay Packers organization. Pikula has been part of The Spring League since 2018.
The Jousters play in the South division of The Spring League. All south division games are played in Houston, Texas. The Jousters coach is Kevin Gilbride, former San Diego Chargers head coach. Gilbride’s son, Kevin Jr., was a former player at BYU under LaVell Edwards in 1997 & 1998.
Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for sports.ksl.com and host of the Cougar Tracks Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and Cougar Sports Saturday (Saturday from 12-3 pm) on KSL Newsradio. Follow him on Twitter: @Mitch_Harper.
