With the XFL set to begin in less than a week, it is time to learn about each team to know who to support. The DC Defenders Offense has been set since the rosters went down to 51 men. While potentially not every player will see the field this season, they made the 51-man roster and are a crucial part of this team. Here is a look at the DC Defenders offense.
DC Defenders Offense:
The order in this list of the DC Defenders offense is not in any particular order aside from sorted by positions.
Jordan Ta’amu – QB
Jordan Ta’amu is one of the three quarterbacks that made the 51-man roster for the DC Defenders. Ta’amu played for Ole Miss, playing in 2017 and 2018. Following his time with Ole Miss, Ta’amu did sign with the Houston Texans in 2019 but never made the final roster. Ta’amu was a player featured in the 2020 XFL, which was unfortunately cut short. Ta’amu played with the St. Louis Battlehawks. The quarterback bounced around on NFL practice squads for a while, but now one of the members on the DC Defenders offense.
Eric Dungey – QB
Former Syracuse quarterback Eric Dungey is another one of the quarterbacks to make the Defenders’ 51-man roster. Dungey was with Syracuse from 2015 to 2018 and played each season. Following his collegiate career, Dungey went as an undrafted free agent to the New York Giants. In the NFL Dungey bounced around on practice quads, and in 2020 did join the XFL’s Dallas Renegades.
D’Eriq King – QB
Quarterback D’Eriq King has made the 51-man roster and is one of the members of the DC Defenders offense. King spent six years playing college football, four with the Houston Cougars followed by two years with the Miami Hurricanes. 2021 was his final year, then he joined the New England Patriots and Carolina Panthers. He spent very little time with both teams before signing with the Defenders.
Ryquell Armstead – RB
Ryquell Armstead is a notable player on the DC Defenders offense. Armstead played for Temple University from 2015 to 2018. According to Sports Reference, in Armstead’s senior year, he rushed for 1,098 yards. The running back was drafted in the fifth round of the 2019 NFL Draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars. Armstead played with Jacksonville for a couple of years, but it never worked out for him. Now he gets his shot with the DC Defenders.
Artavis Pierce – RB
Artavis Pierce was a running back for Oregon State from 2016 to 2019. Something to note is that with Oregon State, although he was primarily a running back, he had the ability to make receptions at times. This could be great for the DC Defenders offense. Pierce did play two seasons with the Chicago Bears, but never got much playing time at all.
Abram Smith – RB
Running back Abram Smith spent four years at Baylor. There was actually one year that he played as a linebacker with Baylor. While Smith will stick as a running back with the Defenders, playing linebacker could have helped him learn what defenders think as the opposing team rushes the ball. Smith was signed with the New Orleans Saints but did not get his career going there.
Pooka Williams Jr. – RB/WR
Pooka Williams Jr. is another running back, and listed also as a wide receiver, on the DC Defenders. Williams attended the University of Kansas for three years, from 2018 to 2020. Following his time playing in college, he was signed as an undrafted free agent to the Cincinnati Bengals, though he was waived. This is his chance to show off at the professional level.
Chris Blair – WR
Wide receiver Chris Blair attended Alcorn State, then proceeded to the NFL as an undrafted free agent. He was signed by the Greenbay Packers in 2021 but was unfortunately waived. Now Blair has a chance to play professional football on the DC Defenders offense.
Jequez Ezzard – WR
Jequex Ezzard is a wide receiver coming out of Sam Houston State, and FCS school. In college. Ezzard was also a punt returner, which should be watched for this season in the XFL. Ezzard was briefly signed with the Washington Commanders but then waived by the team.
Josh Hammond – WR
Wide receiver Josh Hammond played for the Florida Gators from 2016 to 2019. Following his time playing in college, Hammond spent a brief time with the New England Patriots and even got a chance on the roster for the Jacksonville Jaguars. Despite the NFL not working out, Hammond can get a chance in the XFL.
Chad Hansen – WR
Wide receiver Chad Hansen played for the California Golden Bears in 2015 and 2016 before being drafted in the fourth round of the 2017 NFL draft by the New York Jets. Hansen did get a chance to play with the Jets in 2017, but after that bounced around on a couple NFL teams.
Lucky Jackson – WR
Wide receiver Lucky Jackson spent five years with Western Kentucky. He was there from 2015 to 2019. Jackson actually signed with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the CFL, and now he heads to the XFL on this DC Defenders offense.
Josh Malone – WR
Wide receiver Josh Malone spent three years with Tennessee before being drafted in the fourth round of the 2017 NFL Draft by the Cincinnati Bengals. After spending two years with the Bengals, Malone spent another two years with the New York Jets. Malone now heads to the XFL for another shot.
Trae Barry – TE
Tight end Trae Barry spent three years with the Jacksonville State Gamecocks and ended his collegiate career at Boston College in 2021. Barry never got a shot in the NFL, but will get a chance to play professional football on the DC Defenders offense.
Ethan Wolf – TE
Tight end Ethan Wolf played football at Tennessee from 2014 to 2017. In 2021, Wolf got a chance to play two games with the New Orleans Saints. Now Wolf will get another chance to play football in the XFL.
Briley Moore – TE
Tight end Briley Moore spent one year at Kansas State as a grad transfer from Northern Iowa. Moore spent some time with the Tennesse Tightends, but never made the roster and was let go by the team. This is Moore’s first real chance at professional football.
Kahale Warring – TE
Kahale Warring played tight end at San Diego State from 2015 to 2018. Following his time playing in college, Warring was drafted in the third round of the 2019 NFL draft by the Houston Texans. After spending time with the Texans, Warring jumped around a couple of NFL teams but never got playing time with them. Now, Warring will get a chance to play on this DC Defenders offense. Warring will be starting the season on the injured reserve.
Ty Clary – C
Ty Clary is one of two centers to make the roster for the DC Defenders. Clary played for the Arkansas Razorbacks from 2017 to 2020. Clary briefly spent time with the Greenbay Packers but was let go. Now Clary will get a chance with the DC Defenders offense.
Mike Maietti – C
The other center on the roster is MIke Maietti. Maietti first spent his collegiate career with the Rutgers Scarlet Knights before heading to the University of Missouri as a grad transfer. Despite not getting a chance to play in the NFL, Maietti made the 51-man roster for the DC Defenders.
Cody Conway – G
Offensive lineman, Cody Conway played at Syracuse from 2015 to 2018. Conway began his NFL career with the Tennessee Titans but jumped around on multiple teams from 2019 to 2022. Now Conway will continue his professional career in the XFL.
Liam Fornadel – G
Guard, Liam Fornadel spent his collegiate career at James Madison University from 2017 to 2021. After a brief time with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Fornadel now heads to the XFL on the DC Defenders offense.
Rod Taylor – G
From 2014 to 2017, offensive lineman, Rod Taylor played for Ole Miss. Taylor was drafted in the 7th round in the 2018 NFL Draft by the Cincinnati Bengals. Taylor’s time in the NFL did not last long, as he faced multiple suspensions. This can be Taylor’s chance to redeem his career with the DC Defenders.
D’Marcus Hayes – T
D’Marcus Hayes played for the Georgia Bulldogs from 2017 to 2019, though he did not play often. Hayes actually spent time playing in the fan controlled football league, and now heads to the XFL on the DC Defenders offense.
Kyle Murphy – T
Offensive lineman Kyle Murphy played football at Standford from 2012 to 2015. Following his time there, Murphy was drafted by the Greenbay Packers in the sixth round of the 2016 NFL Draft. In 2018 following a season lost by injury, Murphy was released by the Packers. After time with multiple teams, Murphy is now a DC Defender.
Liam Ryan – T
Offensive lineman, Liam Ryan played for Washington State University from 2016 to 2021. Ryan did sign with the Seattle Seahawks, but never got a true shot in the NFL.
T.J. Storment – T
T.J. Storment spent time at TCU as an offensive lineman before playing his final year at Texas Tech in 2021. Storment never got a chance in the NFL, but he will in the XFL on the DC Defenders offense.
The XFL kicks off this weekend. Be sure to check out this DC Defenders offense in their first game, this Sunday against the Seattle Seadragons.
For More Football Content:
Check out this article on the DC Defenders coaches and other important staff members.
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.
For More Great Football Content
Follow us on Twitter at @GridironHeroics for more great content. We appreciate you taking time to read our articles. To interact more with our community and keep up to date on the latest in Football news, JOIN OUR FREE FACEBOOK GROUP by CLICKING HERE
