The D.C. Defenders have re-signed quarterback Jordan Ta’amu for the 2024 season as reported by both Mike Mitchell and Anthony Miller on Thursday.
Jordan Ta’amu is six foot three and weighs 221 pounds. The 26-year-old from Pearl City, Hawaii, completed 142 of 227 passes (62.6%) for 1,878 yards, 14 touchdowns, three interceptions, 67 carries for 301 yards, and three touchdowns leading the Defenders to the XFL Championship game against the Arlington Renegades.
Ta’amu was named XFL Offensive Player of the Year. After the season, he signed with the Minnesota Vikings. The D.C. Defenders signed Ta’amu as a free agent on January 1, 2023.
Before D.C., Ta’amu signed with the Houston Texans as an undrafted free agent in 2019. In 2020, he played for the St. Louis Battlehawks (XFL) completing 97 of 134 passes (72.4%) for 1,050 yards, five touchdowns, two interceptions, 41 carries for 217 yards, and one touchdown in five games before the league ceased operations due to the pandemic.
Next, he signed with the Kansas City Chiefs, and later spent time with the Detroit Lions, Washington Football Team, and Carolina Panthers. Then, Ta’amu was drafted by the Tampa Bay Bandits (USFL) in the first round (2nd pick) of the 2022 USFL Draft.
In 2022, he completed 172 of 302 passes (57%) for 2,014 yards, 14 touchdowns, 12 interceptions, 59 carries for 365 yards, and one touchdown in ten games. He led the league in passing yards and touchdowns.
Collegiately, Ta’amu played two seasons at New Mexico Institute (2015-16) completing 201 of 339 passes (59.3%) for 3,034 yards, 33 touchdowns, eight interceptions, 119 carries for 343 yards, seven touchdowns, and one catch for 21 yards in 13 games for the Broncos. He was named the 2016 Southwest Junior College Football Conference Player of the Year, All-Region and All-SWJCFC.
Then, he transferred to Ole Miss (2017-18) completing 381 of 591 passes (64%) for 5,600 yards, 30 touchdowns, 12 interceptions, and 173 carries for 507 yards, 10 touchdowns in 20 games for the Rebels.
