The Defenders have been in championship before however, Saturday’s victory was the first championship the franchise earned in their existence. Since 2020 the Defenders have earned a 25-13 Win Loss record which now includes a UFL Championship. The Defenders victory on Saturday vs the Michigan Panthers (44-39 W-L, 1983 USFL Championship), redeems their 2023 loss to the XFL Champion Arlington Renegades. Several of those players have been through the ups and downs of the franchise including their loss in 2023.
Jordan Ta’amu Quarterback:
Ta’amu has been in the spring football circuit since 2020, earning several NFL stints in that time. Ta’amu has led the USFL in Passing Yards and Touchdowns in 2022, led the UFL in Touchdowns in 2025, while earning honors such as 2023 OPOY, All-XFL (2023), and the 2025 UFL Championship Game MVP. Ta’amu’s 2025 performance by many accounts should of earned him the MVP this season, but he ultimately got the “last laugh” with his championship win over Bryce Perkins’ Michigan Panthers.
Trae Berry Long Snapper/Tight End
Berry was a dual threat coming out of college playing both Tight End and Long Snapper at Jacksonville State and Boston College. Berry has been a consistent figure in D.C. snapping to Daniel Whelan and Matt McCrane both of whom have earned NFL opportunities since 2023.
Davin Bellamy Defensive End/EDGE
Bellamy has been in the spring football circuity since 2022 earning All-USFL Honors with the New Orleans Breakers. Bellamy earned All-XFL Honors in D.C. in 2023, following up with 7 starts in 2024. Bellamy was on and off the Defenders roster in 2025 however, still earned a championship after being resigned by the Defenders on June 3rd.
Matt McCrane Kicker
McCrane rejoined the XFL after his 2020 season with the New York Guardians and several NFL stints. McCrane has been 42/56 with D.C. since 2023 earning a contract with the Detroit Lions in that span. McCrane in addition to his championship, earned UFL Special Teams Player of the Week honors in week 1.
Malik Fisher Defensive End
Fisher was an alumni academy allotment in 2023, and “popped” in 2024 with a 7-sack season. Fisher earned a contract with the Houston Texans after the 2024 UFL season however was released and returned to D.C. in 2025. Fisher recorded a sack in the UFL championship and was a key piece in the deadly front seven this past year.
Liam Fornadel Offensive Guard
Fornadel was an All-XFL Offensive Guard for D.C. in 2023, starting the 20 games in 23 and 2024. Fornadel earned an NFL contract with the Patriots during the NFL season returning to D.C. after being released on the New England practice squad. He’d go on to start 6 games for D.C. including their championship game.
Ferrod Gardner Defensive Back
Gardner spent some time on the Washington Commanders practice squad before joining the Defenders in 2023. Gardner has spent the last three seasons (with a cameo for the Commanders) totaling 44 tackles and finishing this season on injured reserve.
Anthony Hines Linebacker
Hines began his tenure in D.C. as a reserve Linebacker before starting 10 games in 2024. Hines earned an NFL contract with the Jets spending several weeks on their practice squad returning to D.C. in 2025. Hines was an All-UFL Linebacker for D.C. this season and has totaled 148 tackles and 4.0 sacks in his XFL/UFL career.
Michael Maietti Offensive Center
Maietti has been the focal point on the Defenders Offensive Line since joining D.C. in 2023. After injury shortened his 2023 campaign, Maietti has started the last 20 games for the Defenders enroute to their championship.
Andre Mintze Linebacker
Mintze has been a rotational edge rusher for D.C. since 2023, providing an exceptional pass rushing option in the Williams Defense. Mintze earned Defensive Player of the Week honors in Week 3, totaling 9.5 sacks in 24 games for D.C.
Briley Moore Tight End
Moore has been one of the consistent figures in the Defenders Offense since 2023, which has seen several pass catchers earn NFL contracts. Moore has totaled 345 receiving yards and 4 touchdowns since joining the Defenders, being one of Ta’amu’s more explosive options in the passing attack.
Montae Nicholson Defensive Back
Nicholson was an NFL veteran with 35 games of experience, however, was out of the NFL by 2020. Through 2024 Nicholson was a key piece in the Williams led Defense, however, injuries slowed down his NFL comeback ending his 2025 prematurely during the Defenders championship season.
Niles Scott Defensive Lineman
Scott was a D3 product out of Frostburg State who appeared in 6 NFL games prior to his time in D.C. Scott was placed on injured reserve in 2023, however, in 2024 and 2025 appeared in all 20 regular season games for the Defenders totaling 46 tackles and a 0.5 sack.
Abram Smith Running Back
Smith was an All-XFL Running Back in 2023 as well as the First Overall Pick in inaugural XFL Draft. Smith spent 2024 on injured reserve with a torn ACL, and in 2025 took a step back platooning with Deon Jackson. Smith managed to amass 285 rushing yards this past year including 63 rushing yards in the UFL championship game.
Joseph Wallace Defensive Lineman
Wallace earned All-UFL honors in 2025 bouncing back from his 2024 campaign. Wallace has totaled 65 tackles 7.0 sacks and 1 INT through 24 games in D.C. and should be primed for his 1st NFL opportunity soon.
Isaiah Johnson Defensive Back
Another NFL veteran in the Defenders Defensive backfield, Johnson has been a reserve Defensive Back for D.C. these past three seasons. Johnson was brought back in late April to assist D.C. which was decimated by injuries throughout the season. Johnson has totaled 58 tackles and 1.0 sack in 13 games for D.C. over three seasons.
16 original members of the Defenders were able to be a part of their 1st championship in franchise history. In addition to their championship D.C. has seen 18 players earn contracts over the past Two seasons which speaks to quality of team building done by GM Von Hutchins. Defenders players are able to sign NFL contracts starting Monday as the UFL is now officially in their 2025 offseason.
1 Comment
by Ken Granito
Congratulations to all the Defenders, but especially to this group that has been around with all the changes. This group re-establishes importance of applying yourselves are. Over time there has been a good number of former NFL talent that has worked itโs way into the league, but this reminds people how much effort and teamwork can make you a champion. Congrats to the team. I would like to give Jordan Taโamu a little extra pat on the back. He, at times, has been overlooked. I know I commented on an article mentioning how I felt he was being treated unfairly. Although I was uncertain how he would respond this year. I have seen that when he is in control he has been excellent, but like most quarterbacks when he gets off-schedule it becomes increasingly difficult. He, working with the team in a great way, flourished like no other. I thought Taโamu would win Offensive Player of the year and Bryce Perkins would win MVP. That is how good Taโamu has been this year. He has had 5 receivers go onto the NFL the last two years. I wonder how many he will help move to the NFL this year. There are definitely some has been a lot of big plays at the receiver position this season, not even including the championship game.