#10 quarterback Jordan Ta’amu leads the DC defenders in training camp drills. (Source Twitter)
The XFL’s D.C. Defenders released over 20 players within the past week to meet the XFL’s 51-man roster limit for the regular season, and I’m sure with the task came many difficult decisions. One of those decisions involved cutting Parnell Motley, who they selected in the first round of the Defensive Backs Phase. Though talented, the press corner out of Oklahoma was likely too one-dimensional for a Gregg Williams defense. WR Simmie Cobbs’ release also came as a surprise to me as I thought he was a lock to make the roster. Especially with the injuries D.C. faced at his position throughout camp. Former Kansas CB Reggie Stubblefield was reportedly the ‘last man out.’ The Defenders selected him in the second round of the Open Phase. Nonetheless, I wish all who were released by an XFL team as part of these cuts the best of luck in their future football endeavors.
The DC Defenders have officially cut their roster down to 51 Players, per sources. Now we wait for the Official Word
The Last Player out? DB Reggie Stubblefield. Stubblefield had a very good camp and there is interest on potentially bringing him back. A Bit Surprising
A previous article was posted during the early stages of training camp breaking down the D.C. Defenders’ 70+ man roster, but since then, much has changed, and with training camp in the rearview mirror, more information has been revealed regarding each player’s role for the team. Please note while reading that although more information has come out, the situation is still fluid.
Quarterbacks
#10 Jordan Ta’amu
#3 D’Eriq King
#2 Eric Dungey
As I predicted, Jordan Ta’amu will be the starting quarterback for the Defenders to start the season. D’Eriq King, once a Heisman prospect, will serve as his backup. King also has experience playing receiver from his lowerclassmen years at Houston, and I wouldn’t be surprised if we see him exercise that option with the Defenders this season. The case is similar for former Syracuse QB Eric Dungey, who has the hands and size to play tight end. The Defenders’ social media team even gave us a preview of this in a Twitter post from Feb. 5.
Abram Smith, the first pick in the Offensive Skill Phase, will lead the way for a strong D.C. rushing core. He’ll be spelled by Ryquell Armstead, who at one point looked like he had a bright NFL future before a scary bout with COVID-19 set him back. Though they won’t have the biggest roles with the Defenders, Artavis Pierce (Oregon St.) and Pooka Williams (Kansas) were both electric receiving backs at the college level. Williams is also listed as a wide receiver for D.C.
Wide receivers
#11 Lucky Jackson
#12 Jequez Ezzard
#0 Josh Hammond
#1 Chris Blair
#8 Pooka Williams
#16 Chad Hansen
#81 Josh Malone
The injury bug hit the D.C. receiving core hard during training camp with K.D. Cannon (knee) and Jazz Ferguson (hamstring) being moved to the IR. Concerning timetables, it seems Cannon will not be back for a while (if at all). Ferguson, on the other hand, will miss a couple of weeks and will have the option to rejoin the team when healthy. To fill the gaps created by these injuries, the team added Chris Blair, Chad Hansen, and Josh Malone. All of them enjoyed fruitful college careers and have NFL experience to an extent.
As for the starters, Lucky Jackson will be Ta’amu’s top option on the outside. Jackson finished his career at Western Kentucky with one of the best receiving seasons in school history. Former Florida WR Josh Hammond will be another top target for Ta’amu, while I like Jequez Ezzard in the slot. As mentioned before, the Defenders will pilot Pooka Williams at receiver.
Tight ends
#82 Ethan Wolf
#88 Briley Moore
#80 Trae Barry
The Defenders decided to keep three tight ends on their roster, excluding Kahale Warring, who is on the Reserve/Non-Football Injury List and is expected to return to the team once available. Both Ethan Wolf and Briley Moore are hybrid tight ends, while Trae Barry will do his damage by pass-catching.
Offensive line
#72 T.J. Storment
#77 Liam Fornadel
#51 Mike Maietti
#63 Liam Ryan
#67 Cody Conway
#78 D’Marcus Hayes
#66 Ty Clary
#73 Rod Taylor
#53 Kyle Murphy
Going into camp, there were a lot of questions and uncertainty surrounding the Defenders offensive line and who would start where. There was even some doubt regarding the position group’s talent on paper. Well, it seems at least some of those questions have been answered with the release of the team’s unofficial depth chart and the signings of Rod Taylor and Kyle Murphy during camp to bolster the line.
As projected, T.J. Storment, selected in the first round of the Offensive Line Phase by the Defenders, will start at right tackle, while Cody Conway will start at left tackle. On the interior offensive line, 2021 first-team All-SEC honoree Mike Maietti has won the center battle in D.C. and will start over Ty Clary. Liam Ryan, out of Washington State, will start at left guard, and Liam Fornadel (James Madison) will start at right. Former Georgia Bulldog D’Marcus Hayes will provide depth at tackle.
Defensive line/EDGE
#97 Caruan Reid
#99 Joe Wallace
#96 Jacub Panasuik
#6 Fadol Brown
#17 Davin Bellamy
#98 Gabe Wright
#95 Jarrell Owens
#92 Malik Fisher
#48 Andre Mintze
Five different Defenders defensive linemen sustained injuries throughout camp. One of those guys was Niles Scott, who the Defenders selected in the first round of the Defensive Front Seven Phase. Regardless, the D.C. defensive line looks to be in a good spot, with the season just about a week away. The front line will consist of Jacub Panasuik and Fadol Brown on the ends, with Joe Wallace and Jarrell Owens making up the interior in a 4-3 front. Out of 3-4, expect to see either Caruan Reid or Gabe Wright at nose guard with the same ends previously mentioned. Former USFL star Davin Bellamy along with Andre Mintze (Vanderbilt), will be forces to be reckoned with off the edge. Former Villanova DE Malik Fisher, assigned via the NFL Alumni Academy, will be a rotational line member.
Linebackers
#43 Francis Bernard
#5 Reggie Northrup
#20 Jamal Brooks
#57 Anthony Hines
#27 Ferrod Gardner
The Defenders possess arguably one of the best linebacking units in the XFL. Between the hard-hitting Reggie Northrup and Anthony Hines, who was touted as the top inside linebacker in his 2017 recruiting class. Francis Bernard earned first-team All-PAC 12 honors for his senior year performance at Utah and will start at middle linebacker for the Defenders. Jamal Brooks and Ferrod Gardner are other names to look out for at the linebacker position.
Defensive backs
#15 Michael Joseph
#26 DeJuan Neal
#39 Santos Ramirez
#29 Kentrell Brice
#22 Travon Fuller
#24 Anthoula Kelly
#21 Joshua Allen
#31 Cameron Lewis
#9 K.J. Sails
#38 Nydair Rouse
The Defenders secondary is full of physical athletes who could be just as effective in the box as in pass coverage. The cornerback group will be led by small-school products DeJuan Neal (DII Shepard) and Michael Joseph (DIII Dubuque). Neal is no stranger to the spring football landscape, having played for the New York Guardians of the XFL 2020 and, more recently, the New Jersey Generals of the USFL. Potential nickelback Anthoula Kelley also played in the XFL 2020 with the Tampa Bay Vipers. Travon Fuller, K.J. Sails, and Nydair Rouse are other names to look out for in coverage.
Leading the Defenders’ last line of defense will be Santos Ramirez at strong safety and Kentrell Brice at free safety. Ironically enough, both were teammates in the XFL 2020 with the Seattle Dragons. I’m sure that under Gregg Williams’ scheme, both will be utilized heavily in providing run support. Joshua Allen and the recently acquired Cameron Lewis will both be rotational safeties.
Special Teams
#34 Matt McCrane
#19 Daniel Whelan
#12 Jequez Ezzard
#8 Pooka Williams
#80 Trae Barry
The Defenders signed and designated kicking duties to former New York Guardian Matt McCrane on Jan. 18. They also released P Jacob Schlum early on in camp, signifying the punting job will be Daniel Whelan’s. Along with being a wide receiver, Jequezz Ezard will serve as the return man, with Pooka Williams as a backup. The Defenders went through two long snappers over the course of training camp but ultimately decided to go with TE Trae Barry.
The Defenders will debut this roster when they host the Seattle Sea Dragons on Feb. 19 at 8:00 pm ET.
