Cincinnati quarterback Emory Jones (5) throws a pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Iowa State, Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)
With a 4-6 record and failing to make the playoffs, the 2024 D.C. Defenders did not meet the lofty expectations that were set for them after a 2023 season that ended with a loss in the XFL Championship. While certain individual players shined and became stars with D.C. last year, the team as a whole struggled to maintain consistency on both sides of the ball. Over the offseason, the Defenders have brought in some notable names that can hopefully step in next season and help the team get back to its 2023 championship contending status.
The following is a brief player-by-player breakdown of each of the new players who have signed to play for the Defenders next year. Note, this does not include players who were active on the team last year that have re-signed for next season.
QB Emory Jones, Cincinnati
Currently rostered with the Atlanta Falcons practice squad; however, D.C. retains his rights if he is not re-signed by Atlanta for next season
Threw for 7,099 yards and ran for 1,863 yards in his six-year collegiate career, which saw him at Florida, Arizona State, and Cincinnati; he also had a 63.1% career passing completion rate and 69 total touchdowns (51 passing, 18 rushing)
Had one starting season for each of the schools he played with, compiling a 10-21 record as a college starter
While splitting reps 80/20 with future Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson, Jones helped lead the 2021 Florida Gators to a 6-6 regular season and the Gasparilla Bowl.
Signed with the Baltimore Ravens after going undrafted in the 2024 NFL Draft, but was released following training camp
RB Lynn Bowden Jr., Kentucky
Offensive utility player who played running back, wide receiver, and even quarterback – starting seven games as emergency quarterback during his junior season with the Wildcats
In 39 career collegiate games (25 starts) – 206 carries for 1,530 yards and 13 touchdowns, 114 receptions for 1,303 yards and six touchdowns, 48.1% pass completion with 495 passing yards and three touchdown passes
Two-time All-SEC honoree (2018, 2019) and one-time All-American (2019)
Drafted in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft by the Las Vegas Raiders but was traded to the Miami Dolphins right before his rookie season
28 receptions for 211 yards in 10 games (four starts) during his rookie season with Miami; missed the entirety of the 2021 season due to injury and then couldn’t eclipse his rookie-season production in the next two seasons with the New Orleans Saints and New England Patriots, respectively
RB Deon Jackson, Duke
Totaled 2,267 yards and 18 touchdowns on 526 career carries with the Blue Devils; also had 61 catches for 534 and four touchdowns through the air
Signed with the Indianapolis Colts as an undrafted free agent in 2021 and appeared in 16 games (two starts) as a rookie – ultimately finished his rookie campaign with 68 carries for 236 yards and one touchdown
WR Jacob Copeland, Maryland
Spent four seasons at Florida before transferring to Maryland, where he spent his last collegiate season in 2022; amassed 112 career receptions for 1,742 yards and 11 touchdowns
Forwent his last year of college eligibility and entered the 2023 NFL Draft, where he went undrafted – has since bounced around five different NFL training camp rosters and practice squads
WR Joshua Matthews, McNeese St
Spent two years at Louisiana Tech before transferring to McNeese State in 2020
Broke out during his redshirt junior campaign, leading his team with 32 catches for 458 yards and four touchdowns which led to All-Conference Third Team honors in 2020
Overall, totaled 1,129 yards and nine touchdowns on 85 catches through 3 seasons at McNeese but didn’t receive any NFL looks after college
WR Shaquan Davis, SC State
128 catches for 2,607 yards and 29 touchdowns through four seasons at South Carolina State
Signed with the New Orleans Saints after going undrafted in the 2023 NFL Draft; was released after one season
OG Tykeem Doss, Southern Miss
Started his collegiate career at the JUCO level, where he shined before transferring to Southern Miss after two seasons
The 6-5 380 lbs lineman appeared in 31 games (22 starts) over three seasons at Southern Miss, being moved between the tackle and guard positions
Signed with the Baltimore Ravens after going undrafted in the 2023 NFL Draft and spent the entirety of his rookie season on their practice squad
OG Jason Poe, Mercer
Also started at the JUCO level, playing fullback at Hutchinson CC for one year before transferring to D-II Lenoir-Rhyne where he switched to offensive line
As an offensive lineman, Poe was a two-time D-II All-American while at Lenoir-Rhyne and then a All-Conference First Team selection at Mercer, where he had transferred for his final season of college eligibility
Spent the entirety of his rookie NFL season on the San Francisco 49ers practice squad in 2022
TE Mason Fairchild, Kansas
Finished his collegiate career at Kansas with 82 receptions for 1,111 yards and 10 touchdowns
Recorded a career-high 35 receptions for 443 yards and six touchdowns as a junior in 2022, yielding All-Big 12 Second Team honors for Fairchild
Spent training camp with the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent in 2024
DE Nelson Ceaser, Houston
102 career tackles and 17.5 sacks through four seasons at the University of Houston
Received All-Big 12 First Team honors for his senior-season performance in 2023, which saw him post a career-high 43 tackles and 9.5 sacks
Signed with the Seattle Seahawks after going undrafted in the 2024 NFL Draft but was released after training camp
DT Devonnsha Maxwell, Chattanooga
Chattanooga and Southern Conference record holder for career sacks (37.5); also recorded 163 career tackles, including 45.5 for a loss, over four seasons with the Mocs
Signed with the Cincinnati Bengals after going undrafted in the 2023 NFL Draft but was released during training camp
LB Brian Abraham, Albany
Started out playing cornerback at Yale before switching to linebacker during his sophomore season in 2019
Didn’t see much action over five seasons at Yale and transferred to UAlbany for his final year of collegiate eligibility
Tallied a career-high 36 tackles, including 7.5 for a loss, in 13 games with Albany during the 2023 season; went unclaimed through the 2024 NFL Draft process
LB Shayne Simon, Pittsburgh
Started his collegiate career at Notre Dame – where he spent four seasons and totaled 27 tackles, including 3.0 for a loss, and five pass breakups in 32 games
Moved to Pitt as a grad transfer in 2022; as a two-year starter with the Panthers he made 94 tackles, including 13.0 for a loss, and had eight pass breakups in 25 games
Spent some time with the Buffalo Bills after going undrafted in the 2024 NFL Draft
CB Willie Drew Jr., Virginia State
Spent two seasons at James Madison where he saw minimal game action before transferring to Virginia State and playing three seasons there, including the 2021 season under D.C. Head Coach Reggie Barlow
Overall, tallied 99 tackles, 39 pass breakups, and 11 interceptions over three years at Virginia State, with an All-American final collegiate season
Went undrafted in the 2024 NFL Draft; signed the Carolina Panthers as an undrafted free agent
CB Bryce Thompson, Tennessee
Acquired via trade with the San Antonio Brahmas, which saw D.C. deal newly acquired defensive end Jalen Harris
Played 32 career games, including 28 starts, with the Vols – overall, had 102 tackles, 11 pass breakups, and eight interceptions during his collegiate career
Stuck around for two years on the New Orleans Saints practice squad after going undrafted in the 2021 NFL Draft; also spent time with the Miami Dolphins during the 2023 offseason
Starter with the XFL Seattle Sea Dragons in 2023 and with the San Antonio Brahmas during the 2024 UFL season; has totaled 61 tackles, eight pass breakups, and two interceptions in his spring football career
S Tayler Hawkins, SDSU
170 career tackles, 21 pass breakups, and three interceptions in five seasons at SDSU; 2020 All-Mountain West Honorable Mention and 2021 All-Mountain West Second Team
Signed with the San Francisco 49ers after going undrafted in the 2022 NFL Draft; recorded an interception during his professional debut in 2023 against the Los Angeles Rams
S Josh Proctor, Ohio State
Appeared in 53 games over six collegiate seasons from 2018 to 2023 with the Buckeyes, totaling 112 career tackles, 15 pass breakups and three interceptions
Made 47 tackles with eight pass breakups during the 2023 season – the best one of his college career statistically – on his way to All-Big 10 Third Team honors
Signed and spent training camp with the Jacksonville Jaguars after going undrafted in the 2024 NFL Draft
I am going to make it short, the problem with the DC DEFENDERS is there head coach, he has no heart to take chances, it’s like he scared.