With the 2023 XFL season less than a week away, it’s time to learn about the players on the team. With the 51-man roster finalized, the DC Defenders defense has been narrowed down. The Defenders were a part of the 2020 XFL and looking to come back stronger. Here is a look at the players on the DC Defenders Defense.
DC Defenders Defense
The order of the list of the DC Defenders defense is not any particular order aside from by position.
Fadol Brown – DE
Defenders defensive lineman, Fadol Brown began playing at Ole Miss. He was there from 2014 to 2016. Brown went as an undrafted free agent to the Oakland Raiders but was waived. In 2018 Brown played a couple of games with the Green Bay Packers. Following that time, the defensive lineman jumped around on a couple of teams. Brown now will play for the DC Defenders defense.
Malik Fisher – DE
Defensive lineman Malik Fisher played for Villanova University from 2017 to 2019. Although the NFL did not work out for Fisher, only being 24 years old, the young player can do well in the XFL on the DC Defenders defense.
Jarrell Owens – DE
Jarrell Owens was a defensive lineman for Oklahoma State from 2014 to 2018, though in 2014 he was redshirted. Owens spent time in the NFL on the Browns and even went to the CFL for a time. Now Owens will be on the defensive line for the DC Defenders defense.
Jacub Panasiuk – DE
Defensive lineman Jacub Panasiuk played for Michigan State from 2017 to 2021. Panasiuk signed with the Washington Commanders in 2022 as an undrafted free agent. After not getting a chance in the NFL, Panasiuk has joined the DC Defenders defense, and will be a player to watch,
Davin Bellamy – DL
Despite being listed as a defensive lineman for the DC Defenders, he has been listed as a linebacker in the past. Bellamy played with the Georgia Bulldogs from 2013 to 2017. From there he went undrafted to the Houston Texans in 2018. Bellamy jumped around on a couple of teams until 2022 when he signed with the New Orleans Breakers in the USFL. Now Bellamy will head to the XFL DC Defenders defense.
Andre Mintze – DL
Defensive Lineman Andre Mintze spent four years at Vanderbilt. He was there from 2017 to 2020. Mintze is another player that is listed as the defensive line on the DC defenders roster but played as a linebacker. Mintze spent some time with the Denver Broncos and the Minnesota Vikings. Now Mintze will be with the DC Defenders.
Joe Wallace – DT
Defensive tackle Joe Wallace played for Texas Tech and Sam Houston University from 2016 to 2021. Like many players, Wallace never got his shot in the NFL but will get his chance this year in the XFL.
Gabe Wright – DT
Defensive tackle Gabe Wright spent his collegiate career with Auburn. Wright was there from 2011 to 2014 until being drafted in the fourth round of the 2015 NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions. Wright only played with the Lions for one year but continued playing in the NFL on other teams such as the Raiders, Browns, and Dolphins. Wright did join the Houston Roughnecks in the 2020 XFL, and now he is a part of the DC Defenders defense.
Caraun Reid – DT
Defensive Tackle, Caraun Reid played football at Princeton from 2009 to 2013. Reid was drafted in the fifth round of the 2014 NFL draft by the Detroit lions. Reid spent a while in the NFL on multiple teams such as the Chargers, Cowboys, Cardinals, Jaguars, and Titans. Reid will be a huge value to this DC Defenders defense.
Reggie Northrup – LB
Linebacker Reggie Northrup spent four years at Florida State. He was there from 2012 to 2015. Northrup was signed to Washington as an undrafted free agent and spent time with the LA Rams. In 2020 Northrup joined the Tampa Bay Vipers in the XFL. He then joined the Houston Gamblers in the 2021 USFL, and now back in the XFL on the DC Defenders defense.
Francis Bernard – LB
Linebacker Francis Bernard spent two years playing for Brigham Young and spent his senior year at Utah. Bernard spent time playing for the Dallas Cowboys. Now Bernard will get another shot at professional football in the XFL with the DC Defenders defense.
Jamal Brooks – LB
Jamal Brooks spent time in Missouri before transferring to South Alabama. Brooks’ NFL career never took off, but now he will get a chance in the XFL.
Ferrod Gardner – LB
Linebacker Ferrod Gardner played for the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns from 2018 to 2021. He was on the team in 2017, but did not play and was red-shirted. Gardner spent some time with the Washington Commanders but never got to play. Now the linebacker will get his chance with the DC Defenders.
Anthony Hines III – LB
Anthony Hines III was with Texas A&M from 2017 to 2020. Hines did not play in 2020 though, due to opting out during the COVID-19 pandemic. Following his time at Texas A&M, Hines was picked up by the LA Rams but had a leg injury. Now Hines gets a fresh start with the DC Defenders.
Nydair Rouse – DB
Defensive back Nydair Rouse played football at West Chester University from 2014 to 2017. He was redshirted in 2014 though. Rouse did get to join a couple of NFL teams such as the Packers and the Lions. He was also in the 2020 XFL with the New York Guardians.
Although not relevant to his football past, here is a story of Rouse explaining the time he was shot in the head. It is clear Rouse is a player that can come back from really rough times and is a valuable asset to the DC Defenders Defense.
Travon Fuller – CB
Cornerback Travon Fuller began playing college football at texas A&M before transferring to Tulsa as a graduate student in 2021. Fuller went as an undrafted free agent to the Buffalo Bills, but never got a shot. Now Fuller will get his chance to play professional football on the DC Defenders defense.
Michael Joseph – CB
Cornerback Michael Joeseph played football at Dubuque, despite never starting in high school. Even without these starts, Joseph made it to the NFL. Joseph got very little playing time but was on the Chigago Bears for a while. He was able to play in one game in 2021, according to Pro Football Reference. Now Joseph will get another chance to play professional football in the XFL.
Anthoula Kelly – CB
Anthoula Kelly played at Fresno State from 2015 to 2018. Kelly played in the 2020 XFL on the Tampa Bay Vipers and also headed to the CFL after that. Now Kelly is back in the XFL on the Defenders.
K.J. Sails – CB
Cornerback K.J. Sails played with Southern Florida from 2016 to 2020. Sails never got a chance in the NFL, but still young, he will get one in the XFL.
DeJuan Neal – CB
DeJaun Neal played for Shepherd University in 2015 and 2016. He was briefly signed by the Washington Commanders, but going to truly get his shot in the XFL with the Defenders.
Joshua Allen – S
Safety Joshua Allen played for Miami (OH) from 2015 to 2018. Allen briefly got a chance to attend the Cleveland Brown’s minicamp, but ultimately the NFL did not work out for Allen. Following his brief time in the NFL, Allen got a chance to play in the CFL. Now, the safety will get a chance on the DC Defenders defense.
Kentrell Brice – S
DC Defenders safety Kentrell Brice spent four years with Louisiana Tech. Brice was there from 2012 to 2015. He then went as an undrafted free agent to the Greenbay Packers. Brice actually played many times with the packers over the course of three years. Following the time with the Packers, Brice did not stay on another team and ended up joining the 2020 Seattle Seadragons, but was released. After making another attempt in the NFL, and a time in the CFL, Brice has returned to the XFL on the DC DEfenders.
Cameron Lewis – S
Safety Cameron Lewis played with LSU from 2017 to 2021. Lewis was redshirted in 2016, giving him an extra year to play. Lewis never got his shot in the NFL, but will get his shot in the XFL on the DC Defenders defense.
Santos Ramirez – S
DC Defenders safety, Santos Ramirez played for Arkansas from 2014 to 2018, being redshirted in 2014. Ramirez did not get drafted but did sign with the New York Jets. Ramirez never got a chance to play with the Jets but made the 51-man roster for the DC Defenders.
For More Football Content:
Check out this article on the DC Defenders coaches and other important staff members. Also, check out the team’s offense here.
Check out which former Penn State players will be playing in the XFL. Also, check out which former Rutgers players will be playing in the XFL.
Check out which Penn State players will be participating in the 2023 NFL Combine.
Check out this breakdown of the New Jersey Generals 2023 Schedule in the USFL.
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