He played college football for the Ohio State Buckeyes, earning All-American honors.

He is the son of NFL player, Ron Springs, who was a running back at Ohio State University and subsequently played for Tampa Bay and the Dallas Cowboys.

Springs was selected third overall by the Seattle Seahawks in the 1997 NFL draft, making him the highest drafted cornerback in NFL history,[3] now tied with Derek Stingley Jr.[4][5] He started 10 games in his rookie season, recording one interception.

Springs was selected to the 1999 Pro Bowl in his second season in the NFL, after starting all sixteen games, and recorded 76 tackles, seven interceptions, and two defensive touchdowns.

Springs ended the 2007 season with 62 tackles and four interceptions, the latter in the last four regular-season games, as he helped the Redskins make the playoffs.