DC Defenders Re-Sign Safety Montae Nicholson
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DC Defenders See Revised Secondary For 2025 UFL Season

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As UFL Training Camp gets underway, one of the XFL teams that has seen some major changes is the DC Defenders – especially defensively. They’ve had plenty of players retire, while some have moved on to other opportunities.

One of DC’s inconsistencies in 2024 was their defense – and their secondary unit. It was a squad that couldn’t quite put it together from week to week, despite featuring some outstanding talent across the board.

In this piece, we’ll be taking a closer look at the changes that DC will be looking at in their secondary in 2025.

Returning Pieces

Deandre Baker
Isaiah Johnson
Montae Nicholson
Deontay Anderson
Sam Kidd

One of the big names coming back to the squad is Deandre Baker, who earned All-UFL honors a season ago. Baker went under the radar throughout most of the year, but performed at a high level from week to week – and is an important DB to come back. Deandre notched 22 tackles and two PBU’s with DC in 2024.

Isaiah Johnson is another versatile piece back in action. Isaiah played at both CB and safety with DC last year, finishing with a strong 80.3 Defensive Grade via PFF. Johnson is someone who should see a larger role this upcoming year.

Three safeties have re-signed as well: Montae Nicholson, Deontay Anderson, and Sam Kidd. Most notably, Nicholson is back on the roster – as he finished the year as the starting free safety. Across his final two games, Montae posted Defensive Grades of 92.6 and 92.8 via PFF, with interceptions in both matchups.

The Defenders will be without starting CB’s in Gareon Conley and Michael Joseph this season, as both have retired.

New Faces In DC

Michael Ojemudia
Kelvin Joseph
Kiondre Thomas
Willie Drew Jr.
Adam Sparks
Tayler Hawkins
Josh Proctor
Bryce Thompson

It was evident right off the bat during the offseason that GM Von Hutchins wanted to make some adjustments to the secondary. They traded backup QB Jalan McClendon for CB Kiondre Thomas, from the Houston Roughnecks. Thomas is a solid add – as someone who made an immediate impact in Houston’s defensive unit once he became available. Kiondre spent some time in the NFL this offseason, before re-signing with Houston – and then being acquired by DC.

That wasn’t the only trade that DC made. They also signed DE Jalen Harris, just to trade him to San Antonio for DB Bryce Thompson. Thompson has been one of the names we’ve heard called a lot over the last two years in spring ball. Bryce was a key rotational piece for the Brahmas in 2024, following an outstanding campaign in the XFL with the Seattle Sea Dragons.

See also

In addition to those trades, DC signed a couple of big-name CB’s from the NFL’s ranks. Michael Ojemudia and Kelvin Joseph have made their way to the Defenders, joining Gregg Williams’ defense for the 2025 season. The two both bring plenty of potential to the table – especially with the NFL backgrounds they possess. With Conley no longer in action, don’t be surprised if Joseph and Ojemudia take his reps.

At safety, Tayler Hawkins and Josh Proctor join the fold ahead of Training Camp. Both are young prospects with serious upside. Proctor is an Ohio State product, who recently spent time in the NFL with the Jaguars. Meanwhile, Tayler was picked up by the 49ers as an UDFA, after an impressive career at San Diego State.

Willie Drew Jr. and Adam Sparks are also a couple of depth pieces who will fight for their roster spots in camp. Interestingly enough, Sparks was in camp with DC last year – and now will have another chance to prove himself to Defenders’ personnel.

Projected Starters:

CB: Deandre Baker, Kelvin Joseph, Michael Joseph, Kiondre Thomas
S: Tayler Hawkins, Montae Nicholson

Final Thoughts

As Training Camp gets underway, watching the battles in this DC secondary will be fun to watch. They stacked up on NFL-caliber talent, while also bringing in a couple of proven spring-ballers in Thomas and Thompson via trade.

Regardless of whatever unfolds in camp, it’s a vastly improved group that should be in a position to see better quality of play compared to a year ago. Headlined by Baker, Ojemudia, and Joseph – it’s going to be tough to throw against these DC corners in 2025.

What are your thoughts on the DC Defenders secondary group this year? Who will end up as the starters? Let us know down in the comments below, or join the conversation on Discord!

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