D.C. Defenders UFL Super Dispersal Draft Breakdown
As of press time, some familiar names from the 2023 Defenders are not a part of the 2024 version of the team — most notably, the de-facto XFL MVP last season, Jordan Ta'amu. The league's All-XFL quarterback and the voted-on league offensive player of the year is not currently committed to the UFL.
With the mystery surrounding Ta'amu and the departure of D'Eriq King to the college coaching world, the Defenders smartly addressed the quarterback position as quickly as they could during the Super Dispersal Draft. By the end of the process, they had made a dozen total selections.
Here is a breakdown of the 12 players selected by the D.C. Defenders in the Super Dispersal Draft.
Round 1: QB Jalan McClendon (Vegas Vipers)
Very few players in spring pro football have as compelling of a story as Jalan McClendon. The former 4-star recruit out of Charlotte spent his collegiate career at N.C. State and Baylor on the outside looking in as a backup. Ultimately, despite being in close competition with future NFL players like Jacoby Brissett, McClendon started only one game in college.
Unsurprisingly, McClendon went undrafted in 2019, but his impressive arm and physical tools at 6-5 and 220 pounds got him some looks with the Baltimore Ravens and Washington Football Team.
The next step in McClendon's journey saw him impress enough to earn a roster spot with the Los Angeles Wildcats in XFL 2020. McClendon played sparingly with L.A., recording only six snaps in reserve duty behind current Baltimore Ravens QB Josh Johnson.
The XFL shut down after five weeks of regular season play, and seemingly, McClendon's career did the same. That is, until the XFL returned three years later. Former Wildcats GM and longtime NFL executive Joey Clinkscales didn't forget McClendon and brought him on board with the Vegas Vipers.
Once again, it appeared like McClendon wouldn't play at all. He was slotted behind veteran quarterbacks Brett Hundley and Luis Perez, but after impressing in camp and during practice, McClendon finally got his shot to play late last season.
In four games with Vegas, McClendon gave the Vipers a spark, completing nearly 60% of his passes for 873 yards while throwing five touchdowns to only one interception. He also rushed for 137 yards.
McClendon's career-saving, better-late-than-never performance with Vegas gets him another lease on life in the pros with D.C. The Defenders are likely to add another quarterback or two before the regular season arrives, but McClendon is more ready for this next opportunity than he was in the past.
Round 2: WR Chris Rowland (Philadelphia Stars)
For Defenders fans unfamiliar with Tennessee State standout Chris Rowland's game, wait you get to witness him in action. The HBCU superstar — and winner of the Deacon Jones award for most outstanding all-around collegiate — is a jack-of-all-trades player who is an effective runner, receiver and returner.
The 5-8, 170-pound speedster can bring a lot to D.C.'s offensive attack under Fred Kaiss, who has plenty of familiarity with stars from HBCU programs.
There was some doubt about Rowland during this dispersal draft process, especially after he publicly asked teams to bypass him so that he could be free to choose his own team. But sources close to the player indicate that Rowland is excited about his landing spot and fully intends to play for his new team.
Round 3: DT T.J. Barnes (Arlington Renegades)
The No. 1-graded player by Pro Football Focus for the XFL 2023 champion Arlington Renegades has a new home with the Defenders. T.J. Barnes, who appeared to hang up his cleats after finishing last season as a champion, is returning for one more ride.
The veteran run-stopper had one of the best spring pro football stories last season. Barnes lost more 70 pounds to play in the XFL and was in the best shape of his career, going on a tear in Arlington and netting an 89.0 PFF grade as the XFL's top-graded defensive tackle.
Barnes will be a great fit in the interior of the Defenders defense and in the locker room. He went out on top but is returning to stay on top.
Round 4: OT Chidi Okeke (San Antonio Brahmas)
Chidi Okeke, the 27-year-old Nigerian-born offensive tackle, has 16 starts over the last two years in the USFL and XFL combined.
The 6-6, 315-pound former five-star recruit at LSU who transferred to Tennessee State has had several stops in his playing career. Okeke will now be joining his eighth different pro football team since 2019.
Okeke's starting experience gives him a chance to compete on the blindside.
Round 5: OL Adonis Boone (D.C. Defenders)
A regular occurrence in the UFL Super Draft was players circling back to teams who didn't initially protect them in phase one. Louisville's Adonis Boone, who signed a letter of intent in October with D.C., is back in the district.
The 6-5, 307-pound linemen spent some time with the New Orleans Saints after going undrafted in 2023. Boone has a ton of playing experience from college, including nearly 1,000 snaps each at right guard and left tackle for Louisville. Boone, with an impressive wingspan of 34 inches, allowed only one sack in his final two seasons in college. His versatility could help him stick.
Round 6: RB/KR/WR Pooka Williams Jr. (D.C. Defenders)
Another player cycling back to the Defenders is Pooka Williams. It took a while for the former Big-12 star at Kansas to stick with D.C. last season.
He was initially drafted by the Defenders before he was let loose and then claimed by division rival St. Louis. Williams made his way back to D.C. in April. The 4.36 speedster contributed mostly on special teams as a kick returner in the final month of the season, averaging 27.3 yards a return with a long return of 79 yards.
A recent off-the-field incident for Williams had his playing status for 2024 in doubt. Back in December, Williams was arrested on charges of evading police in a motor vehicle and on foot, criminal trespass and unlawfully carrying a gun, according to Louisiana police.
With charges still pending, the Defenders are taking a chance on the talented but enigmatic Williams.
Round 7: CB Nydair Rouse (D.C. Defenders)
Nydair Rouse retains a spot on the Defenders training camp roster after playing eight games with the team last season. Rouse played mostly as a reserve and on special teams, registering eight tackles and forcing a fumble.
The 6-0, 188-pound West Chester alum has familiarity with Gregg Williams' scheme defensively and with Jamie Sharper's special teams units. It's going to be a battle to make the Defenders opening day roster with all their latest additions to the secondary, but Rouse's experience gives him a puncher's chance.
Round 8: WR C.J. Johnson (D.C. Defenders)
East Carolina's C.J. Johnson is yet another Defender staying in the fold. Johnson was a surprising omission from last week's protected list for D.C.
In 2022, Johnson had a breakout campaign for ECU, netting more than 1,000 yards receiving on 67 receptions with 10 scores. He was drafted by D.C. in the XFL's rookie draft before signing a letter of intent with the Defenders in December.
The 6-2, 222-pound pass catcher has the size and physicality to be a factor in the Defenders' ground game as a blocker and in the red zone. Some NFL draft pundits projected Johnson as a potential late-round draft selection based on his productivity and physical nature in the open field. Johnson would end up going undrafted and spending some time with the Seattle Seahawks.
The Defenders currently have two main contributors at wide receiver on NFL rosters in Chris Blair (Atlanta Falcons) and Lucky Jackson (Minnesota Vikings), with their returns to the team in doubt. There is definitely an opening for someone to break through at wideout.
Round 9: DT Boogie Roberts (Pittsburgh Maulers)
The Defenders continued to bolster the interior of their defense by adding veteran defensive lineman Boogie Roberts. The versatile Roberts (6-2, 290) has been one of the best veteran players in spring pro football for the last several years, starting with the LA Wildcats in 2020 and the Pittsburgh Maulers the last two years.
Roberts brings value to D.C.'s hybrid defense with the ability to effectively play in an odd or even front. As a member of the highly-touted Maulers defense in 2023, the well-rounded Roberts ranked tied for third in run stops (13) and quarterback pressures (23) among USFL interior defenders. He was one of only four players at the position to earn 70.0-plus grades from Pro Football Focus, both as a pass rusher and a run defender.
D.C.'s defensive front, on paper, may very well be the deepest unit in the UFL. The return of Davin Bellamy, coupled with the additions of Roberts, T.J. Barnes and Tim Ward, is as good of a veteran group as it gets.
Round 10: LB Anthony Hines III (D.C. Defenders)
Returning to the Defenders linebacking corps from 2023 is Texas A&M standout Anthony Hines. The 6-3, 226-pound inside/outside linebacker played in nine games last season for D.C., starting three. Hines registered 33 tackles and a sack for the Defenders.
Hines's versatility as an every-down backer who can also contribute on specials gives him a strong edge in nabbing an active roster spot this coming season.
Round 11: RB/WR Tabyus Taylor (D.C. Defenders)
Tabyus Taylor is one of the more unique players joining the XFL/UFL this season. The D-II star was selected by the Defenders in the league's rights draft in July.
Tabyus Taylor is an intriguing diamond-in-the-rough acquisition by D.C. The 6-0, 225-pound bruiser had a very productive collegiate career on the small-school level. And then broke out playing indoor football as a pro.
First at Virginia Union, Taylor rushed for 2,888 yards and 31 touchdowns, averaging 5.5 yards per rush. He also registered 63 receptions for 638 yards and five touchdowns through the air. At VU, Taylor also contributed as a kick returner, averaging 29.1 yards per return.
Taylor played three seasons at VU before transferring to Notre Dame College of the NCAA Division II Mountain East Conference. Taylor made quite the impact in five spring games, rushing for 1,040 yards on 9.7 yards a carry.
Taylor's first professional foray out of college saw him net offensive player of the year honors in the Champions Indoor Football League for the Wyoming Mustangs. In 2022, the versatile tailback/receiver tallied 22 total touchdowns that season.
The Defenders have several players with multi-position versatility on offense, with the latest acquisition of Rowland and the return of Williams, but Taylor could stick out and challenge for snaps at receiver, running back and in the return game.
Round 12: Kicker/Punter Enrique Yenny (D.C. Defenders)
Like Taylor, international specialist Enrique Yenny is another player whom the Defenders laid claim to back in the summer.
Yenny is known for having a powerful leg. The 2019 first-round pick by Osos de Toluca has the record for the longest punt in LFA history (94 yards) and the longest field goal in league history at 60 yards. He booted field goals of 60, 59 and 57 yards in one season alone. Yenny also holds the record for the longest converted field goal in the playoffs (52 yards).
Yenny's ability to handle kicking and punting duties is an asset and could be a roster saver for the Defenders, who are looking to replace all-league punter Daniel Whelan, who is excelling with the Green Bay Packers.
With the league requiring cuts down to 42-player active rosters before season starts in late March, the more a player can do, the better their odds of sticking around.
The Defenders currently have 10 roster spots open a month away from training camp, which starts on Feb. 24. Expect UFL teams to continue making moves during the free agency, signing players who were not selected in the dispersal process or who did not play in the USFL or XFL last year. The deadline for teams to lock in their 75-man training camp rosters is Feb. 14.
Players who finished the 2023 NFL season on practice squads are the likely targets in the next phase of UFL team building. The Defenders still have a major question mark at quarterback a month away from camp. But the rest of the team looks stronger than it did last season, particularly on defense.
D.C. Defenders Post-Super Draft Roster Overview
You can find Mike Mitchell on X @ByMikeMitchell.
Catch up with UFL on FanNation on Facebook and X.
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.