Breaking Down D.C. Defenders Final Training Camp Cuts, Regular Season Roster Set
The D.C. Defenders have announced their final training camp cuts 10 days before their 2024 UFL season begins March 31 at the San Antonio Brahmas. The team had to trim their squad down from 58 to 50 players.
The following players have been placed on waivers:
ZaQuandre White, RB, South Carolina
It didn't take long for the Defenders to part ways with the recently acquired White. The former Birmingham Stallion joined D.C. just a few days ago. But with Cam'Ron Harris firmly entrenched as the team's starter and Darius Hagans in tow as his backup, white lost out on making the initial roster, likely due to Pooka Williams's versatility as a wide receiver and returner.
Kentrell Brice, S, Louisiana Tech
Brice started nine games for D.C. last season, recording 21 tackles, one interception and a half-sack. The well-traveled free safety was in a tough competition in camp, competing with All-XFL safety Deontay Anderson and two experienced NFL vets, Montae Nicholson and D.J. Swearinger.
Matthew Carrick, G, Michigan State
Carrick also ran into a numbers game. He is one of two offensive linemen let go at final cuts, as D.C. keeps nine players upfront. The Defenders selected Carrick in the XFL rookie draft in 2023.
Jordan Evans, LB, Oklahoma
The veteran linebacker missed the cut after D.C. selected him in the UFL Dispersal Draft process. The former Seattle Sea Dragons defender has dealt with adversity in his career since his NFL days in Cincinnati. The Defenders are skewing younger at the off-ball linebacker spot heading into the regular season.
Jazz Ferguson, WR, Northwestern State
For now, the Defenders are moving forward with six wide receivers. Jazz Ferguson, who was hopeful of playing a second straight season for D.C., loses out to team newcomers Keke Coutee, Vyncint Smith, Kelvin Harmon, Ty Scott and Chris Rowland. Only one wideout, Brandon Smith, is a returnee from last year's receiving corps.
Greg Long, T/G, Purdue
Long's versatility to play inside or out didn't aid him in making the cut, especially since the Defenders actively added two new linemen in the later stages of camp: Yasir Durant and Jahmir Johnson.
Tariqious Tisdale, DL, Mississippi
At 6-foot-5, 285 pounds, Tisdale certainly has value as a defensive end or inside tackle. But with the Defenders carrying four defensive tackles and five players who can play on the edge, Tisdale is an odd man out in a very deep front.
Tim Ward, DE/EDGE, Old Dominion
It's one of the more surprising cuts, but not if you examine the configuration of D.C.'s defense. Although standout players like Davin Bellamy and Trent Harris are listed as linebackers, they are genuinely edge rushers from that position. A spot that Ward would play. Malik Fisher, Andre Mintze and Derick Roberson also fall under that edge tweener category.
Regular Season Roster Update
Although these are considered "final cuts," there's no such thing in pro football. Unlike in a video game, you can't turn injuries off. So, some of these players could cycle back to the Defenders as time progresses.
On top of that, some of the players who have made the initial 50-player roster could see their status change before the season arrives. Through a trade, or D.C. could claim a player released by one of the other seven UFL teams.
Roster turnover in pro football is inevitable; only 26 players who played for the Defenders team in 2023 are back a year later. D.C. has a lot of new blood as they attempt to finish the job this year and winning a championship.
D.C. Defenders 2024 UFL Schedule Analysis
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Mike Mitchell is a pro football writer/insider with decades of experience covering and following multiple leagues. He covers the New York Jets for TheJetPress.com at FanSided. He has also written for XFL Board and at Hub Publishing covering the CFL, XFL and USFL.