DC Defenders 2023 Preview and Predictions

(Photo Credit: Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)

Key Players Drafted:

QB Eric Dungy, RB Ryquell Armstead, RB Abram Smith, WR/RS Jequez Ezzard WR Josh Hammond, WR Lucky Jackson, TE Briley Moore, TE Kahale Warring, OC Tyler Clary, OC Michael Maietti, OG Liam Fornadel, OT Cody Conway, OT TJ Storment, DE Fadol Brown, DE Jacub Panasiuk, DT Joe Wallace, LB Jamal Brooks, LB Reggie Northrup, CB Anthoula Kelly, CB DeJuan Neal, DS Kentrell Brice, DS Santos Ramirez, PK Matthew McCrane and PT Daniel Whelan.

Key Players Added:

QB D’Eriq King, QB Jordan Ta’amu, WR Chad Hansen, OG Liam Ryan, LB Francis Bernard, DT Caraun Reid, DT Gabe Wright and CB Michael Joseph.

Misc. Team Information:

Head Coach:  Reggie Barlow

DC:  0-0
NCAA Career (CIAA):  34-17

Projected Offensive Starters

QB:  10  Jordan Ta’amu
RB:  4  Abram Smith
WR:  0  Josh Hammond
WR:  11  Lucky Jackson
WR:  12  Jequez Ezzard
TE:  88  Briley Moore
LT:  67  Cody Conway
LG:  63  Liam Ryan
OC:  51  Mike Maietti
RG:  74  Liam Fornadel
RT:  72  TJ Storment
KR:  12  Jequez Ezzard
PK:  2  Matthew McCrane

Projected Defensive Starters:

DE:  6  Fadol Brown
DT:  97  Caraun Reid
DT:  99  Joe Wallace
DE:  96  Jacub Panasiuk
LB:  43  Francis Bernard
LB:  5  Reggie Northrup
LB:  20  Jamal Brooks
CB:  15  Michael Joseph
CB:  26  DeJuan Neal
DS:  39  Santos Ramirez
DS:  29  Kentrell Brice
PR:  12  Jequez Ezzard
PT:  19  Daniel Whelan

Team Grades:

Offense

Quarterbacks:  B
Running Backs:  A
Wide Receivers:  B
Offensive Line:  B

Defense

Defensive Line:  B
Linebackers:  B
Secondary:  B

Special Teams

Kick Returners:  C
Punt Returners:  A
Kickers:  C
Punters:  B

Schedule:

02/19  SEATTLE SEA DRAGONS  |  First meeting between teams with relaunch.

02/25  at Vegas Vipers  |  First meeting between teams with relaunch.

03/05  ST. LOUIS BATTLEHAWKS  |  First meetings teams with relaunch.

03/12  VEGAS VIPERS  |  First meeting between schools with relaunch.

03/18  at St. Louis BattleHawks  |  First meeting between schools with relaunch.

03/27  HOUSTON ROUGHNECKS  |  First meeting between schools with relaunch.

04/02  at Orlando Guardians  |  First meeting between teams with relaunch.

04/09  at Seattle Sea Dragons  |  First meeting between team with relaunch.

04/16  ARLINGTON RENEGADES  |  First meeting between steams with relaunch.

04/22  at San Antonio Brahmas  |  First meeting between teams with relaunch.

Predictions:

Home:  5-0
Road:  2-3
XFLN:  4-2
XFKS:  3-1

Overall:  7-3 (2^nd in XFL North – Eliminated in playoff by Seattle)