Defensive end Jalen Harris and cornerback Bryce Thompson
In a sign-and-trade deal, the D.C. Defenders have sent newly acquired defensive end Jalen Harris to the San Antonio Brahmas in exchange for cornerback Bryce Thompson. Harris, a former Arizona Wildcat, had only signed with D.C. a day before the league announced this swap.
Harris was a three-year starter at the University of Arizona, compiling 171 tackles, including 26 for a loss and 14 sacks over six seasons as part of the program. His super-senior season in 2022 saw him surmount a career-high in tackles made and tackles for loss — 51 and 7.5, respectively.
After going undrafted in the 2023 NFL Draft, Harris landed with the Chicago Bears where he made the practice squad. Midway through his rookie season, the Washington Commanders added him to their active roster off the Bears’ practice squad. In five games with the Commanders, he notched six tackles. However, Washington waived him after the 2023 season.
Looking at the big picture, the Brahmas have seemingly gone all in this offseason on finding an elite edge rusher, having already added four defensive ends this offseason. Defensive end Tim Ward, who signed with the CFL Hamilton Tiger Cats over the summer, likely will not return to the UFL in 2025, while Wyatt Ray, San Antonio’s sack leader in 2024, has not yet re-signed with the team. In the absence of this pass-rushing production from last year, a newcomer like Harris is someone who can help fill the void.
On the other hand, Bryce Thompson has spent two seasons in spring football. He was a starter with the XFL Seattle Sea Dragons in 2023, recording 34 tackles, six pass breakups, and two interceptions. Following a training camp stint with the Miami Dolphins in 2023, he signed with the Brahmas after his old team dissolved with the USFL-XFL merger. During the 2024 UFL season, he totaled 27 tackles and two pass breakups.
Thompson was an undrafted free agent out of Tennessee in 2021, getting picked up by the New Orleans Saints where he stuck around on their practice squad for about two seasons.
Overall, Thompson brings starting caliber to a Defenders team that is yet to re-sign any of its cornerbacks from last season. The statuses of starters Michael Joseph (All-XFL ‘23) and Deandre Baker (All-UFL ‘24) are still up in the air, while Gareon Conley, who missed some of last season with injury, has retired from football.
