The D.C. Defenders sent LB Caliph Brice to the Houston Roughnecks in exchange for OL Sam Cooper in the Defenders’ first trade of the season.
For the Defenders, the trade addresses one of their main concerns, the offensive line, but to what extent?
Cooper was drafted in the fourth round of the Offensive Line phase of the XFL Draft. He was a benchwarmer at Maine for three seasons before transferring to Merrimack, where he quickly became a key asset on the team’s interior offensive line.
Though he didn’t see much game action at Maine, he was a two-time CAA-Athletic team selection. At Merrimack, his leadership abilities helped him to team captain honors during his junior year. Unfortunately, he never got to play exercise his final year of college eligibility due to COVID-19, which canceled Merrimack’s 2020 season. Since going undrafted in the 2021 NFL draft, he has spent time with the Baltimore Ravens and Houston Texans.
At 6-2 305lbs, Cooper provides versatility for the Defenders, having experience as both a center and offensive guard. It surely will be interesting to see how his stardom at the FCS level will translate to the XFL.
As for Brice, he could be effective an effective pass-rusher or run-stopper from his inside linebacker spot out of a 3-4 formation for the Roughnecks.
He started his college career at Hudson Community College, where he tallied 71 tackles through 12 games during his sophomore year. In 2019, he transferred to Florida Atlantic. He struggled to adjust to the FBS level in his first season, however, demonstrated exponential growth in the two successive seasons.
Cooper has since spent time with the Green Bay Packers.
TRANSACTION: The Houston Roughnecks and D.C. Defenders have announced a trade.
