Alex Ellis by the numbers against Houston

Former Vol Alex Ellis by the numbers against Houston in the UFL.

DC (1-1) defeated Houston (0-2), 23-18, at Audi Field in Washington, D.C. during Week 2 of the inaugural UFL season.

Former Vol and DC tight end Alex Ellis totaled one reception for 19 yards. He was targeted three times.

Ellis played for the Vols from 2011-15 under head coaches Derek Dooley and Butch Jones.

He played in 26 games at Tennessee, including one start, recording 14 receptions, 232 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown.

Ellis was not selected in the 2016 NFL draft.

DC will next play on Sunday against Arlington at Choctaw Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Kickoff between the Defenders and Renegades is slated for 1 p.m. EDT and will be televised by ESPN.

READ: Former Vols on 2024 UFL rosters

Daniel Dunn-USA TODAY Sports

Alex Ellis by the numbers against San Antonio

Former Vol Alex Ellis by the numbers against San Antonio.

San Antonio (1-0) defeated DC (0-1), 27-12, at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas during Week 1 of the inaugural UFL season.

Former Vol tight end Alex Ellis totaled three receptions for 28 yards for DC. He was targeted six times.

Ellis played for the Vols from 2011-15 under head coaches Derek Dooley and Butch Jones.

He played in 26 games at Tennessee, including one start, recording 14 receptions, 232 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown.

Ellis was not selected in the 2016 NFL draft.

DC will next play on Sunday against Houston at Audi Field in Washington, D.C. Kickoff between the Roughnecks and Defenders is slated for 4 p.m. EDT and will be televised by Fox.

READ: Former Vols on 2024 UFL rosters

Daniel Dunn-USA TODAY Sports

Wild UFL drive ends in interception by San Antonio Brahmas

A wild sequence in the UFL wound up with a San Antonio touchdown

A fourth-quarter drive Sunday in the game between the DC Defenders and San Antonio Brahmas had something for everyone.

The Defenders had first-and-goal and thought they had a touchdown.

However, the play was reviewed thanks to a super challenge by Wade Phillips.

On the play, the Defenders’ Jean Delance spat at a Brahmas player.

Delance was ejected for the flagrant personal foul and was found to be the person who committed the false start.

Then, San Antonio committed a personal foul for taunting and gave the Defenders another first-and-goal.

It didn’t pay as Jordan Ta’amu threw an interception that was returned 89 yards by Darius Phillips. The return set up a touchdown that gave the Brahmas a 27-12 lead after the PAT

The chaotic drive:

1st and 8 on SA8J.Ta’amu steps back to pass. J.Ta’amu pass incomplete short left intended for A.Ellis (N.Wieland). [11:25]

Timeout #1 by DC. [10:43]

2nd and 8 on SA8J.Ta’amu pass short middle complete to SA End Zone. Catch made by K.Coutee at SA End Zone. Gain of 8 yards. K.Coutee for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN. The Replay Official reviewed the runner broke the plane and the play was overturned. PENALTY on DC-J.Delance, False Start, 5 yards, accepted. No Play. PENALTY on DC-J.Delance, Personal Foul / Offense, 15 yards, accepted. No Play. [10:43]

2nd and 28 on SA28J.Ta’amu FUMBLES (aborted). Fumble RECOVERED by DC-J.Ta’amu at SA 28. J.Ta’amu pass short right complete to SA 28. Catch made by B.Moore-McKinney at SA 28. Gain of -1 yards. Pushed out of bounds by D.Phillips at SA 29. PENALTY on SA-B.Thompson, Taunting / Defense, 15 yards, accepted. [10:39]

1st and 14 on SA14C.Harris rushed right guard to SA 11 for 3 yards. Tackled by C.Patton at SA 11. [10:34]

2nd and 11 on SA11D.Francois steps back to pass. D.Francois sacked at SA 13 for -2 yards (C.Patton) [9:55]

3rd and 14 on SA14J.Ta’amu pass INTERCEPTED at SA 6. Intercepted by D.Phillips at SA 6. Tackled by K.Harmon at DC 5. [9:05]

Preston Williams to play for DC in 2024

Former Vol Preston Williams to play for DC in 2024.

Former Tennessee wide receiver Preston Williams will play for the DC Defenders in the United Football League during the 2024 season.

Williams played for the Vols from 2016-17 under head coach Butch Jones.

Williams played in 12 games, including three starts at Tennessee. He totaled 16 receptions for 247 yards and two touchdowns before transferring to Colorado State.

The 2024 season is the first for the UFL. The UFL formed after the United States Football League and XFL merged in Nov. 2023.

UFL’s 2024 season will kick off on March 30 between Birmingham (2023 USFL champion) and Arlington (2023 XFL champion). The season will feature eight teams, 40 regular-season games and three postseason contests.

ABC, ESPN, Fox and FS1 are UFL’s television partners.

Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports

Alex Ellis to play for DC Defenders

Former Vol Alex Ellis to play for DC Defenders.

Former Tennessee tight end Alex Ellis will play for the DC Defenders of the United Football League in 2024.

Ellis played for the Vols from 2011-15 under head coaches Derek Dooley and Butch Jones.

He played in 26 games at Tennessee, including one start, recording 14 receptions, 232 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown.

The 2024 season is the first for the UFL. The UFL formed after the United States Football League and XFL merged in Nov. 2023.

UFL’s 2024 season will kick off on March 30 between Birmingham (2023 USFL champion) and Arlington (2023 XFL champion). The season will feature eight teams, 40 regular-season games and three postseason contests.

ABC, ESPN, Fox and FS1 are UFL’s television partners.

A list of former Vols on 2024 UFL rosters can be viewed here.

Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports

Paxton Brooks to play for DC Defenders

Former Vol Paxton Brooks to play for DC Defenders.

Former Tennessee punter Paxton Brooks will for the DC Defenders of the United Football League.

Brooks played for the Vols from 2018-22, serving as a punter and kickoff specialist under head coaches Jeremy Pruitt and Josh Heupel.

Brooks, a native of Lexington, South Carolina, was a four-year starter for Tennessee. He played 61 games and averaged 42.23 yards per punt, which ranks eighth all-time in the SEC.

The 2024 season is the first for the UFL. The UFL formed after the United States Football League and XFL merged in Nov. 2023.

UFL’s 2024 season begins March 30 as Birmingham (2023 USFL champion) plays Arlington (2023 XFL champion).

The UFL has eight teams in 2024, featuring 40 regular-season games and three postseason contests.

READ: Former Vols on 2024 UFL rosters

Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire

Report: XFL rushing yards leader, former Saints RB Abram Smith is back in the NFL

After leading the XFL in rushing yards, former Saints fan-favorite running back Abram Smith is reportedly back in the NFL — and he could play against New Orleans:

Is this another one who got away? The New Orleans Saints have a worrisome history of developing talented pros who shine their brightest after joining other teams, but that won’t stop many fans from cheering for Abram Smith. The former Baylor Bears linebacker-turned-running back won fans over by running hard in the 2022 preseason, but he couldn’t do enough to earn a spot on the opening-day roster.

Then he went to the XFL and led the startup spring league with 788 rushing yards in the regular season, keeping it going for the DC Defenders’ postseason run. By years’ end, he racked up 925 rushing yards and scored 10 touchdown runs while gaining 124 receiving yards, earning All-XFL recognition. Good for him.

That’s led to a series of tryouts with teams like the Buffalo Bills, Las Vegas Raiders, and Minnesota Vikings — with the Vikings ultimately closing in on him, as first reported by FanSided’s Mike Mitchell and announced by the XFL’s official social media accounts. However, KPRC2 Houston’s Aaron Wilson cautions that while Smith’s workout in Minnesota went well, the Vikings front office “is still determining if they’re signing him. Has not signed or agreed to terms at this point.”

If Smith is signing with the Vikings, there’s a non-zero chance that he will suit up against his old Saints team. The Vikings host New Orleans in Week 10 and Smith is stepping into a very winnable situation. Minnesota’s backfield is in shambles after they cut Dalvin Cook, featuring unproven pros Alexander Mattison, Ty Chandler, and Kene Nwangwu as well as seventh-round rookie draft pick DeWayne McBride. Mattison has never eclipsed 500 or more rushing yards in a single season (and he’s currently nursing a tweaked hamstring), while Chandler and Nwangwu combine for fewer than 30 career rushing attempts in the NFL. If Smith can make the most of his opportunities in preseason and protect the football, he just might catch on.

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XFL Week 9 preview

The Sea Dragons need a win in the worst way

We’re officially down to the final two-week stretch of the XFL season. The playoffs are inching ever closer, but unfortunately, the Seattle Sea Dragons no longer control their own destiny.

In the XFL, there are two divisions and the top two teams from each division qualify for a one-game semifinal playoff showdown. The Sea Dragons are currently sitting in 3rd place, thanks to a narrow 34-33 loss to the division-leading DC Defenders. Losing last week really put Seattle behind the 8-ball, as the St. Louis Battlehawks came back and won 21-17 in double overtime – thanks to former Seahawk draft pick Gary Jennings.

Now the Sea Dragons have their rematch St. Louis on Sunday afternoon. The Battlehawks already took one at Lumen Field in Week 2, winning 20-18 on a last second field goal. If Seattle wants any slim chance of the playoffs, winning on Sunday is a necessity.

The Sea Dragons kick off at 12:00 pm Pacific on Sunday, airing on ESPN and ESPN+.

XFL: Sea Dragons fall 34-33 to DC Defenders

It was a costly defeat for Seattle

The Seattle Sea Dragons’ reign of terror over the XFL has come to an end. On Sunday night, Seattle narrowly lost to the first place DC Defenders at Lumen Field by a score of 34-33. It was a game the Sea Dragons desperately needed to win. Alas, no cigar.

Seattle fought valiantly after their 16-6 halftime deficit, but could not overcome the Defenders. On the Sea Dragons’ final possession, they did score a touchdown. Unfortunately, the ensuing two-point conversion was unsuccessful, as was the 4th-and-15 “onside” conversion attempt to gain one final possession.

The Seattle defense that was so stout the week prior struggled to contain DC, and allowed two touchdown drives in the 4th quarter alone.

Sunday was a costly defeat for the Sea Dragons, especially since the St. Louis Battlehawks won this weekend as well. Now the Battlehawks are a full game and a half ahead of Seattle.

The Sea Dragons head to the Gateway to the West next week for a rematch with the Battlehawks. A win is required if they want to keep their slim playoff hopes alive.

XFL: Pressure continues to mount for the Seattle Sea Dragons

A win over the DC Defenders is crucial for the standings and to keep pace with St. Louis

Time is running out on this XFL season, and the margin of error continues to shrink for the Seattle Sea Dragons. Despite being the hottest team in the league, winners of five-straight, the Sea Dragons remain on the outside looking in when it comes to the playoff picture.

In the XFL, there are two divisions of four teams, with the top two qualifying for the postseason. Unfortunately, thanks to their Week 2 loss to the St. Louis Battlehawks, the Sea Dragons remain a half-game behind them. This means they remain 3rd in the standings.

Now they host the first place DC Defenders. DC is tough, but they showed some cracks in the armor last week by losing 37-36 to the previously winless Orlando Guardians.

It is critical they bring the Defenders down into a three-way tie at 6-2 between Seattle, DC and St. Louis. It will be a rematch of Week 1, and the Sea Dragons won’t get another crack at them unless they face off in the playoffs. More important than simply getting a win is keeping pace with the Battlehawks, who Seattle will take on in Week 9.