The D.C. Defenders signed wide receiver Mike Harley Jr. and defensive end Davin Bellamy on Monday. In addition, the Defenders placed tight end Shaun Beyer on injured reserve.
Mike Harley Jr. is five foot ten and weighs 180 pounds. The 26-year-old from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, made 7 catches for 75 yards, one touchdown, and one punt return for one yard in four preseason games for the Cleveland Browns in 2023. The Browns signed Harley Jr. as an undrafted free agent in 2022 and spent the season on the practice squad.
Collegiately, Harley Jr. played five seasons at Miami (FL) (2017-21) making 182 catches for 2,158 yards, 15 touchdowns, 7 carries for 36 yards, 12 kick returns for 144 yards, and three punt returns for -4 yards in 60 games for the Hurricanes. He concluded his Miami career as the team’s all-time leader in receptions (182) passing Reggie Wayne.
Davin Bellamy is six foot five and weighs 245 pounds. The 29-year-old from Chamblee, Georgia, made 20 tackles (9 solo, 11 assists), seven tackles for loss, five sacks, and three forced fumbles in ten games, of which two were starts for D.C. Defenders in 2023 helping them reach the XFL Championship Game against the Arlington Renegades.
Bellamy was named to the All-XFL Team after the season. The Defenders drafted Bellamy in the first round (7th pick) in the 2023 XFL Supplemental Draft.
Before D.C., Bellamy signed with the Houston Texans as an undrafted free agent in 2018. He spent three seasons on Houston’s practice squad. Bellamy also spent time with the Cincinnati Bengals, Tennessee Titans, San Francisco 49ers, and the Los Angeles Chargers.
Then, Bellamy was drafted by the second round (9th pick) of the 2022 USFL Draft. He made 40 tackles (27 solo, 13 assists), seven tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, one pass breakup, and one forced fumble in eight games helping the Breakers reach the South Divisional Semifinals against the Birmingham Stallions where he made five tackles (4 solo, 1 assist), one tackle for loss, and one sack. Bellamy was named to the All-USFL Team in 2022.
Collegiately, Bellamy played four seasons at Georgia (2014-17) with 135 tackles (61 solo, 74 assists), 24 tackles for loss, 13 sacks, five pass breakups, two fumble recoveries, and four forced fumbles in 42 games for the Bulldogs.
Shaun Beyer is six foot five and weighs 250 pounds. The 27-year-old from Shellsburg, Iowa, appeared in four games for the Arlington Renegades in 2023 making one catch for no yards. The Renegades drafted Beyer in the sixth round (42nd pick) of the 2022 XFL Draft. The Defenders signed Beyer as a free agent on January 25, 2024.
Before Arlington, Beyer signed with the Denver Broncos as an undrafted free agent in 2021. He also had stints with the Minnesota Vikings and Green Bay Packers.
Collegiately, Beyer played four seasons at Iowa (2017-20) making 18 catches for 275 yards, and one touchdown in 24 games for the Hawkeyes.
