Jordan Ta'amu Returning to D.C. Defenders for 2024 UFL Season
There has been much speculation about what the D.C. Defenders’ quarterback situation will look like as Jalan McClendon was drafted last month and the questions surrounding Jordan Ta’amu. Clarity arrived on Thursday.
Ta’amu and the Defenders have agreed on a contract for the 2024 season, according to sources.
The return of Ta’amu is critical for the Defenders and the UFL. He's been one of the shining stars of spring football since 2020. Last season for the Defenders, he threw for 1,878 yards with 14 touchdowns to just three interceptions. He added 301 rushing yards and three touchdowns in 10 games.
.@UFLSIFN has learned that 2023 XFL Offensive Player of the Year, quarterback Jordan Ta’amu has agreed to return to the @XFLDefenders and play in the United Football League.
— Mike Mitchell (@ByMikeMitchell) February 8, 2024
League wide training camp begins on February 24, in anticipation of the regular season which kicks off… pic.twitter.com/U6BOkhm0uY
His performance earned him the 2023 XFL Offensive Player of the Year award.
Ta’amu also played in the USFL with the Tampa Bay Bandits in 2022, throwing for 2,014 yards with 14 scores and 12 interceptions. He also was able to rush for 365 yards and one touchdown. At the close of the season, Ta’amu finished as the league leader in passing yards and passing touchdowns.
He was the starting quarterback for the St. Louis Battlehawks in 2020, throwing for 1,050 yards with five touchdowns and two interceptions. He added 217 rushing yards and one score in five games. He led the Battlehawks to a 3-2 record before the XFL canceled its season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ta’amu has also spent time in the NFL with the Kansas City Chiefs, Detroit Lions, Houston Texans, Minnesota Vikings and Carolina Panthers. He finished his college career at Ole Miss.
The Defenders went into the month with McClendon and Deondre Francois as the two quarterbacks on the roster. Ta’amu more than likely means he will be the training camp favorite to win the starting job. There is a clear argument for D.C. having one of the best quarterback rooms in the UFL.
Training camp for the UFL begins on Feb. 24 with the Defenders starting their season on the road against the San Antonio Brahmas on March 31.
D.C. Defenders 2024 UFL Schedule Analysis
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