The D.C. Defenders are another carry over team from the XFL 2.0. The Defenders will play their home games at Audi Field where D.C. United plays. The D.C. market has been home to many alternative professional football teams including Arena Football League, American Indoor Football, Canadian Football League and the USFL. The XFL and Defenders are hoping to be a mainstay in the D.C. area for years to come.

Coaches:

Leading the Defenders into battle will be Reggie Barlow, a Super Bowl champion with the Buccaneers in the famous Pirate Bowl. After his playing years, Barlow went to coach his alma mater Alabama State then led Virginia State to an undefeated season in 2017. The offense will be controlled by Fred Kaiss, a tenured coordinator from both the NFL and college ranks. On the defensive side of the ball, Gregg Williams, a long-time NFL coach will be defensive coordinator. Williams most infamously was tied to the Bounty Gate controversy with the New Orleans Saints.

Team:

The Defenders will be lead by by Ole Miss quarterback Jordan Ta’amu but they also have a talented QB group with D’eriq King from Mavel, Texas and Eric Dungey in the back up role.

With the 1st pick in the skill players draft the DC Defenders selected Abram Smith, running back from Baylor. Smith rushed for 1,601 yards and 13 touchdowns his 2021 senior season at Baylor. He will be a key to the Defenders offensive success.

As far as receiving targets, The Defenders’ top target, K.D. Cannon will be out with an injury. The Defenders will look to other players such as Josh Hammond, Josh Malone and Briley Moore-McKinney to step up.

The Defenders’ defense is a talented group. The linebacker group will be their strength with studs like Reggie Northup and Antony Hines. Their defensive line will be strong as well with a lot of power 5 talent.

Season Prediction:

The DC Defenders have a decent balance of talent throughout their roster. If the team stays healthy and maybe get some players back off of injury they could find themselves battling for the North Division.