Team Information
Founded | 2018 |
Ground | Audi Field |
Owner(s) | Alpha Acquico, LLC: (RedBird Capital Partners; Dwayne Johnson; Dany Garcia) |
Nickname | DC Defenders |
DC Defenders Bio
DC Defenders Info
The DC Defenders are a football team who compete in the Xtreme Football League (XFL). The DC Defenders are one of the original teams which were formed to be part of the first season of the XFL in 2020. The DC Defenders were revamped in 2022 after being suspended in 2020 (due to the cancellation of XFL due to COVID-19). The DC Defenders are based out of Washington DC and also have another football team, the famous Washington Commanders of the NFL. The DC Defenders compete in the North Division of the 2023 XFL. The DC Defenders will compete in the XFL 2023 Championship game against the Arlington Renegades after topping the XFL NOrth Division with stellar record.
Location, Stadium, and Team Colors
The DC Defenders are based out of Washington DC. The Defenders are the latest addition to a number of sporting franchises based out of the city. The DC Defenders are one of the most popular franchises in the XFL with their fandom spanning across their hometown and into other states too.
Audi Field
The home stadium for the DC Defenders is the Audi Field at Buzzard Point in Washington D.C. The stadium is predominantly a soccer stadium and serves as the home field for D.C. United of the MLS and Washington Spirit of the National Women’s Soccer League. The construction of the stadium was completed in 2018 and has a capacity of around 20,000.
The DC Defenders have a simple but vibrant combination of team colors, which are red and white. The classic color combination was devised by Under Armour who also produces their kits and helmets.
DC Defenders Roster
Number | Name | Position | College |
2 | Eric Dungey | QB | Syracuse |
3 | D'Eriq King | QB | Miami |
10 | Jordan Ta'amu | QB | Ole Miss |
23 | Ryquell Armstead | RB | Temple |
28 | Artavis Pierce | RB | Oregon State |
4 | Abram Smith | RB | Baylor |
8 | Pooka Williams | RB | Kansas |
1 | Chris Blair | WR | Alcorn State |
12 | Jequez Ezzard | WR | Sam Houston |
0 | Josh Hammond | WR | Florida |
9 | Chad Hansen | WR | California |
11 | Lucky Jackson | WR | Western Kentucky |
81 | Josh Malone | WR | Tennessee |
80 | Trae Barry | TE | Boston College |
88 | Briley Moore-McKinney | TE | Kansas State |
82 | Ethan Wolf | TE | Tennessee |
66 | Ty Clary | OL | Arkansas |
67 | Cody Conway | OL | Syracuse |
77 | Liam Fornadel | OL | James Madison |
78 | D'Marcus Hayes | OL | Georgia |
51 | Michael Maietti | OL | Missouri |
53 | Kyle Murphy | OL | Stanford |
63 | Liam Ryan | OL | Washington |
72 | T.J. Storment | OL | Texas Tech |
73 | Rod Taylor | OL | Ole Miss |
56 | Davin Bellamy | DL | Georgia |
6 | Fadol Brown | DL | Ole Miss |
92 | Malik Fisher | DL | Villanova |
95 | Jarrell Owens | DL | Oklahoma State |
96 | Jacub Panasiuk | DL | Michigan State |
97 | Caraun Reid | DL | Princeton |
99 | Joseph Wallace | DL | Sam Houston |
98 | Gabe Wright | DL | Auburn |
43 | Francis Bernard | LB | Utah |
20 | Jamal Brooks | LB | South Alabama |
27 | Ferrod Gardner | LB | Louisiana |
57 | Anthony Hines | LB | Texas A&M |
48 | Andre Mintze | LB | Vanderbilt |
5 | Reggie Northrup | LB | Florida State |
21 | Joshua Allen | DB | Miami (Ohio) |
29 | Kentrell Brice | DB | Louisiana Tech |
22 | Travon Fuller | DB | Tulsa |
15 | Michael Joseph | DB | Dubuque |
24 | Anthoula Kelly | DB | Fresno State |
17 | Cameron Lewis | DB | LSU |
26 | DeJuan Neal | DB | Shepherd |
39 | Santos Ramirez | DB | Arkansas |
38 | Nydair Rouse | DB | West Chester |
9 | K.J. Sails | DB | USF |
34 | Matthew McCrane | P | Kansas State |
19 | Daniel Whelan | P | UC Davis |
Coaching Staff
Name | Role |
Reggie Barlow | Head Coach |
Stacie Johnson | Dir. Team Operations |
Von Hutchins | Dir. Player Personnel |
Fred Kaiss | Offensive Coordinator |
Shannon Harris | Quarterbacks |
Alvance Robinson | Wide Receivers |
Cody Crill | Tight Ends |
Russ Ehrenfeld | Offensive Line |
Deion Harris | Quality Control |
Gregg Williams | Defensive Coordinator |
Jeremy Watkins | Defensive Line |
Vernon Dean | Defensive Backs |
Jamie Sharper | Special Teams/Linebackers |
Chris Lasamana | Athletic Trainer |
VanDyke Jones | Equipment Manager |
Caleb Studivant | Video Manager |
DC Defenders Schedule and Results
Week 1
Sun., Feb. 19 – D.C. Defenders vs. Seattle Sea Dragons (Audi Field), 8 p.m. ET on ESPN
Final Score: Defenders 22, Sea Dragons 18
Week 2
Thurs.Feb. 25 – D.C. Defenders at Vegas Vipers (Cashman Field), 7 p.m. ET on FX
Final Score: Defenders 18, Vipers 6
Week 3
Sun., March 5 – DC Defenders vs. St. Louis Battlehawks (Audi Field) 1 p.m. ET on ESPN2
Final Score: Defenders 34, Battlehawks 28
Week 4
Sun., March 12 – D.C. Defenders vs. Vegas Vipers (Audi Field), 7 p.m. ET on ESPN2
Final Score: Defenders 32, Vipers 18
Week 5
Sat., March 18 – D.C. Defenders at St. Louis Battlehawks (The Dome), 7 p.m. ET on FX
Final Score: Defenders 28, Battlehawks 20
Week 6
Mon., March 27– D.C. Defenders vs. Houston Roughnecks (Audi Field), 7 p.m. ET on FX
Final Score: Defenders 37 , Roughnecks 26
Week 7
Sun., April 2 – D.C Defenders at Orlando Guardians (Camping World Stadium), 7 p.m. ET on FX
Final Score: Defenders 36, Guardians 37
Week 8
Sun., April 9 – D.C. Defenders at Seattle Sea Dragons (Lumen Field), 7 p.m. ET on ESPN2
Final Score: Defenders 34, Sea Dragons 33
Week 9
Sun., April 16 – D.C. Defenders vs. Arlington Renegades (Audi Field), 12 p.m. ET on ESPN
Final Score: Defenders 28, Renegades 26
Week 10
Sat., April 22 – D.C Defenders at San Antonio Brahmas (Alamodome), 3 p.m. ET on ABC
Final Score: Defenders 29, Brahmas 28
Who are the DC Defenders' top players?
The DC Defenders are arguably one of the best teams in the XFL this season. They have one of the most star-studded squads in the XFL this season. Former St. Louis Battlehawks quarterback Jordan Ta’amu is vying for the top spot with Eric Dungey and D'Eriq King.
Former Jacksonville Jaguars player Ryquell Armstead offers great offensive threats as one of the best running backs in the league.
DC Defenders’ Standout players:
Jordan Ta’amu - Quarterback
Ryquell Armstead- Running Back
What is the DC Defenders’ Win-Loss record?
The DC Defenders had 10 regular season games in the season. They were the best team in the XFL regular season recording only one loss out of a possible 10 games. They maintained a stellar record of 9-1 and pulled through with narrow victories in the last few games of the season.
Roughnecks 2023 XFL record
Win: 9
Loss: 1
Draw: 0
Where can I watch DC Defenders games?
The games for the 2023 XFL are being streamed and aired across a number of channels. To catch the DC Defenders live in action you can check out either FX, ESPN, or ABC depending on the schedule.
How do the DC Defenders compare to the other XFL teams?
The DC Defenders are regarded as one of the best teams in the XFL. Former Super Bowl-winning NFL player Reggie Barlow has taken the helm as head coach and he has a strong squad at his disposal. The Defenders have a great offense with the likes of Jordan Ta’amu, Ryquell Armstead, Abram Smith and Eric Dungey. The DC Defenders are one of the favorites to win the XFL Championship this season.
Who is the owner of the DC Defenders?
Dwayne "The Rock '' Johnson, Dany Garcia, and Gerry Cardinale are the XFL's sole team owners. In 2020, Dwayne Johnson's Alpha Acquico LLC, Vince Mcmahon's Red Bird Capital, Dany Garcia, and Gerry Cardinale bought the XFL from its previous owner. Since then, they have made significant changes to the league, and it will relaunch in 2023.
How much did the DC Defenders cost to purchase?
The DC Defenders are owned by the XFL itself. The teams competing in the XFL including the Defenders were all purchased by Dwayne Johnson and Dany Garcia when they bought over the XFL from Vince McMahon for $15 million.
How many championships have the DC Defenders won?
The XFL 2023 is the revamped season for the Spring football league. The 2020 XFL season could not be fully completed due to COVID-19 restrictions. They are one of the strongest contenders for the XFL Championship title and made it to the Championship game against the Arlington Renegades with an impressive victory over the Seattle Sea Dragons in the Playoffs. The Defenders were tied with the Sea Dragons 9-9 during half time. However, it was all D.C. in the second half, as they pulled away with a big third quarter en route to winning 37-21.