The D.C. Defenders signed quarterback Deondre Francois and tight end Ben Bresnahan on Friday.
Deondre Francois is six foot one and weighs 215 pounds. The 26-year-old from Orlando, Florida, completed 20 of 39 passes (51.3%) for 140 yards, three touchdowns, three interceptions, and ten carries for 54 yards for the Orlando Guardians (XFL) in 2023. The Guardians signed Francois as a free agent in 2022.
Before Orlando, Francois played in the Fan Controlled Football League for the Glacier Boyz and Wild Aces in 2021, and Bored Ape FC in 2022 completing 48 of 92 passes (52.2%) for 767 yards, 19 touchdowns, three interceptions, 45 carries for 372 yards, and ten touchdowns in 15 games.
In 2021, the played for the Blues (TSL) completing 25 of 44 passes (56.8%) for 243 yards, one touchdown, one interception, and seven carries for 27 yards in four games. He was also a member of the Generals (TSL) but did not see action.
Collegiately, Francois played four seasons at Florida State (2015-18) completing 481 of 829 passes (58%) for 6,291 yards, 36 touchdowns, 21 interceptions, 195 carries for 205 yards, and eight touchdowns in 25 games for the Seminoles. In his Florida State career, he threw nine 300-yard passing games and four 350-yard passing games are both tied for fourth all-time in FSU history.
Then, Francois transferred to Hampton in 2019 completing 181 of 319 passes (57%) for 2,139 yards, 21 touchdowns, 12 interceptions, 57 carries for 158 yards, four touchdowns, and one catch for ten yards in ten games for the Pirates.
Ben Bresnahan is six foot four and weighs 243 pounds. The 24-year-old from Cumming, Georgia, attended the Atlanta Falcons rookie minicamp in 2023.
Collegiately, Bresnahan played five seasons at Vanderbilt (2018-22) making 61 catches for 701 yards, and five touchdowns in 43 games for the Commodores.
