2025 DC Defenders season

The 2025 DC Defenders season was the fourth season for the DC Defenders as a professional American football franchise and the second season in the United Football League (UFL).^[1] The Defenders played their home games at Audi Field and were led by interim head coach Shannon Harris. The Defenders won their first UFL championship, defeating Michigan Panthers, 58–34, in the 2025 UFL championship game

2025 DC Defenders season
Owner	Alpha Acquico, LLC
General manager	Von Hutchins
Head coach	Shannon Harris
Home stadium	Audi Field
Results
Record	6–4
Conference place	2nd in XFL Conference
Playoffs	Won Conference Finals (at St. Louis Battlehawks) 36–18 Won UFL Championship (vs. Michigan Panthers) 58–34
Uniform
← 2024 DC Defenders seasons 2026 →

In the offseason, quarterback Jordan Ta'amu re-signed for his third straight season with the Defenders. On March 22, 2025, head coach Reggie Barlow departed the Defenders and quarterback coach Shannon Harris took over in an interim role for the 2025 season.^[2] In week eight, the Defenders defeated Arlington 33–30, clinching their second postseason berth in franchise history and first since the 2023 season. Ta'amu rested the second half of week nine and all of game ten in preparation of the XFL conference championship against the St. Louis Battlehawks. After losing to Houston in week nine, backup quarterback Mike DiLiello received his first professional start in the season finale against St. Louis in heavy rainfall and the Defenders lost and finished the regular season 6–4. They split the regular season series with St. Louis. However, even if they won their final two games, they wouldn't have hosted the XFL Conference Championship Game due to a scheduling conflict.^[3]

In the XFL conference championship against St. Louis, the Defenders never trailed and won by a convincing score of 36–18. Ta'amu threw for 204 yards and a touchdown while running backs Deon Jackson and Abram Smith ran for a combined 180 yards and three touchdowns. Defensively, Malik Fisher had a game high two sacks while the Defenders had a total of five sacks and nine tackles for losses.^[4] This victory clinched their second championship game appearance in franchise history. The Defenders then faced the Panthers who they had lost to 14–38 in week six of the regular season.

Leading up to the championship game, quarterback Jordan Ta'amu was not selected for the All-UFL team, Offensive Player of the Year or Most Valuable Player.^[5] Ta'amu led the UFL with 17 touchdown passes despite missing the final game and a half of the season. In the 58–34 victory over the Panthers, Ta'amu was 21-of-28 for 390 yards and four touchdowns. He also ran for another score in a pivotal fourth-and-goal situation in the first half. For his performance he was named the games Most Valuable Player.^[6]

On the season, wide receiver Cornell Powell led the league with seven touchdown receptions. His counterpart Chris Rowland led the league with 1,070 All-purpose yards and was named All-UFL team for wide receiver and return specialist. Offensive lineman Yasir Durant was named All-UFL. Defensively, the Defenders had four players named All-UFL. This included lineman Joe Wallace and edge Derrick Roberson. Linebacker Anthony Hines and cornerback Deandre Baker rounded out the All-UFL list for the Defenders. In week eight against Arlington, Baker had a game ending interception that helped clinch a postseason berth.

Head coach Shannon Harris and Offensive Coordinator Fred Kaiss were selected for Coach of the Year and Assistant Coach of the Year.^[7] Through the 2025 season, the DC Defenders hold a 22–13 overall record, including a 10–10 record in two seasons of play in UFL.

Final Roster

2025 DC Defenders roster

Quarterbacks (QB) 17 Mike DiLiello 10 Jordan Ta'amu 18 Spencer Sanders Running backs (RB) 28 Darius Hagans 25 Deon Jackson  4 Abram Smith Wide receivers (WR) 13 Javon Antonio  3 Jaydon Mickens 14 Cornell Powell 12 Chris Rowland 83 Braylon Sanders 19 Ty Scott 85 Seth Williams Tight ends (TE) 87 Ben Bresnahan 84 Mason Fairchild 88 Briley Moore

Offensive linemen (OL) 74 Gunner Britton G 56 Johari Branch C 79 Tykeem Doss G 70 Yasir Durant G 77 Liam Fornadel G 51 Mike Maietti C 62 Jarrid Williams T Defensive linemen (DL) 15 Davin Bellamy DE 92 Malik Fisher DE 91 Dennis Johnson DT 95 Devonnsha Maxwell DT 48 Andre Mintze DE 98 Kyle Phillips DE 50 Derick Roberson DE 90 Niles Scott DT 99 Joseph Wallace DT

Linebackers (LB) 45 Brian Abraham ILB 44 Micah Baskerville ILB 57 Anthony Hines III ILB 11 MoMo Sanogo ILB 33 Shayne Simon ILB Defensive backs (DB)  9 Deontay Anderson SS  2 Deandre Baker CB 21 Trey Dean CB 23 Willie Drew CB  8 Tayler Hawkins FS  7 Isaiah Johnson CB 27 Kelvin Joseph CB  5 Michael Ojemudia CB 24 Kiondre Thomas CB  1 Bryce Thompson CB Special teams (ST) 80 Trae Barry LS 47 Paxton Brooks P 16 Matt McCrane K

Reserve 75 Mason Brooks T (IR)  6 Ferrod Gardner ILB (IR) 26 Sam Kidd SS (IR) 21 Montae Nicholson FS (IR) Rookies in italics 50 active, 4 reserve

Staff

DC Defenders staff

	Front Office General manager – Von Hutchins Head Coach Head coach – Shannon Harris Offensive Coaches Offensive coordinator/running backs – Fred Kaiss Wide receivers – Andre Simmons Offensive line/Run Game Coordinator – Brian Braswell			Defensive Coaches Defensive coordinator – Blake Williams Linebackers/special teams – Deion Harris Defensive backs – Vernon Dean

Draft

Main article: 2024 UFL draft

The UFL held its first draft since the creation of the league on July 17, 2024.^[8]

Rnd	Pick No.	Player	Pos.	College
1	4	Gottlieb Ayedze	OT	Maryland
2	12	Kedon Slovis	QB	BYU
3	20	Leonard Taylor III	DT	Miami (FL)
4	28	Garret Greenfield	OT	South Dakota State
5	36	Braiden McGregor	DE	Michigan
6	44	Michael Wiley	RB	Arizona
7	52	Dallas Gant	LB	Toledo
8	60	Curtis Jacobs	LB	Penn State
9	68	Tanner Mordecai	QB	Wisconsin
10	76	Omar Brown	S	Nebraska

Schedule

All times Eastern

Week	Day	Date	Kickoff	TV	Opponent	Results		Location	Attendance
						Score	Record
1	Sunday	March 30	3:00 p.m.	ESPN	Birmingham Stallions	18–11	1–0	Audi Field	12,254
2	Saturday	April 5	8:00 p.m.	ABC	Memphis Showboats	17–12	2–0	Audi Field	13,142
3	Sunday	April 13	3:00 p.m.	ABC	at St. Louis Battlehawks	27–15	3–0	The Dome at America's Center	30,014
4	Sunday	April 20	5:00 p.m.	Fox	San Antonio Brahmas	18–24	3–1	Audi Field	12,474
5	Sunday	April 27	12:00 p.m.	ESPN	at Arlington Renegades	37–33	4–1	Choctaw Stadium	9,544
6	Sunday	May 4	12:00 p.m.	ESPN	at Michigan Panthers	14–38	4–2	Ford Field	11,653
7	Friday	May 9	8:00 p.m.	Fox	at San Antonio Brahmas	32–24	5–2	Alamodome	9,884
8	Sunday	May 18	12:00 p.m.	ABC	Arlington Renegades	33–30	6–2	Audi Field	14,638
9	Sunday	May 25	4:00 p.m.	Fox	at Houston Roughnecks	21–24	6–3	Space City Financial Stadium	6,684
10	Friday	May 30	8:00 p.m.	Fox	St. Louis Battlehawks	8–13	6–4	Audi Field	12,624

^[9]

Standings

2025 UFL standings v t e
USFL Conference
Team	W	L	PCT	GB	TD+/-	TD+	TD-	DIV	PF	PA	DIFF	STK
(y) Birmingham Stallions	7	3	.700	–	8	28	20	5–1	244	167	77	W2
(x) Michigan Panthers	6	4	.600	1	8	30	22	3–3	245	198	47	L2
(e) Houston Roughnecks	5	5	.500	2	0	22	22	3–3	183	201	-18	W2
(e) Memphis Showboats	2	8	.200	5	-13	15	28	1–5	148	246	-98	L2
XFL Conference
Team	W	L	PCT	GB	TD+/-	TD+	TD-	DIV	PF	PA	DIFF	STK
(y) St. Louis Battlehawks	8	2	.800	–	7	26	19	4–2	231	163	68	W6
(x) DC Defenders	6	4	.600	2	3	28	25	4–2	225	224	1	L2
(e) Arlington Renegades	5	5	.500	3	4	23	19	3–3	229	168	61	W2
(e) San Antonio Brahmas	1	9	.100	7	-17	14	31	1–5	136	274	-138	L6
(x)–clinched playoff berth; (y)–clinched conference; (e)–eliminated from playoff contention

Postseason

Schedule

Week	Day	Date	Kickoff	TV	Opponent	Results		Location	Attendance
						Score	Record
XFL Conference Championship	Sunday	June 8	6:00 p.m.	Fox	at St. Louis Battlehawks	36–18	1–0	The Dome at America's Center	27,589
UFL Championship	Saturday	June 14	8:00 p.m.	ABC	at Michigan Panthers	58–34	2–0	The Dome at America's Center	14,559