The D.C. Defenders are set to sign linebacker Chauncey Rivers on Wednesday according to UFL Analyst on X (Formerly Twitter).
Chauncey Rivers is six foot two and weighs 259 pounds. The 26-year-old from Stone Mountain, Georgia, made 16 tackles (9 solo, 7 assists), five tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, and three quarterback hits in ten games for the Houston Roughnecks (XFL) in 2023.
In the playoffs, Rivers made three tackles (3 solo) against the Arlington Renegades. The Roughnecks drafted Rivers in the sixth round (45th pick) of Phase 3 of the 2023 XFL Draft.
Before Houston, Rivers signed with the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent in 2020. He appeared in one game for the Ravens while spending the rest of the season on the practice squad. Next, he was acquired off waivers by the Green Bay Packers in 2021. Rivers played four games for Green Bay making two tackles (2 solo).
Collegiately, Rivers played one season at Georgia in 2015 making four tackles (3 solo, 1 assist) and one tackle for loss in two games for the Bulldogs. Next, he transferred to East Mississippi Community College in 2016 making 45 tackles (25 solo, 20 assists), 12.5 tackles for loss, eight sacks, and one forced fumble in 12 games for the Lions.
Then, Rivers transferred to Mississippi State (2017-19) making 67 tackles (32 solo, 35 assists), 15 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, three pass breakups, and one forced fumble in 25 games for the Bulldogs. He was named Second Team All-SEC by the Associated Press in 2019 and was a 2020 NFLPA Collegiate Bowl Participant.
