The D.C. Defenders made several moves on Monday including signing defensive tackle Kevin Atkins, releasing running back Pooka Williams Jr., and placing defensive tackle Joe Wallace on the injured reserve list according to the UFL Transactions page.
Kevin Atkins is six foot two and weighs 307 pounds. The 25-year-old from San Diego, California, signed with the San Francisco 49ers as an undrafted free agent on May 13, 2022. He made one tackle (1 solo) in three preseason games.
Then, Atkins was drafted by the St. Louis Battlehawks (XFL) in the fifth round (38th pick) in Phase 3 of the 2022 XFL Draft. Atkins made 14 tackles (5 solo, 9 assists), three tackles for loss, one sack, and one quarterback hit in ten games. The Battlehawks released Atkins on March 22, 2024.
Collegiately, Atkins played five seasons at Fresno State (2017-21) with 141 tackles (71 solo, 70 assists), 31 tackles for loss, 16.5 sacks, one pass breakup, one forced fumble, and two fumble recoveries in 47 games for the Bulldogs. Atkins was a three-time All-Mountain West Conference Honorable Mention.
Pooka Williams Jr. is five foot nine and weighs 175 pounds. The 24-year-old from New Orleans, Louisiana, had one carry for nine yards, two catches for six yards, and three punt returns for 35 yards in one game for the D.C. Defenders in 2024.
The Defenders drafted Williams Jr. in the seventh round (49th pick) in Phase 1 of the 2022 XFL Draft. In 2023, Williams Jr. had one carry for -1 yard and five punt returns for 33 yards in three games.
Before D.C., Williams Jr. signed with the Cincinnati Bengals as an undrafted free agent on May 14, 2021. He played in one game with three kick returns for 52 yards against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Collegiately, Williams Jr. played three seasons at Kansas (2018-20) with 415 carries for 2,509 yards, 12 touchdowns, 66 catches for 534 yards, four touchdowns, 18 kick returns for 443 yards, and one touchdown in 26 games for the Jayhawks. He was named two-time First Team All-Big 12, and the Big 12 Offensive Freshman of the Year.
Joe Wallace is six foot one and weighs 300 pounds. The 25-year-old from seven tackles (4 solo, 3 assists), and two tackles for loss in four games for the D.C. Defenders in 2024.
The Defenders drafted Wallace in the eighth round (60th pick) in Phase 3 of the 2022 XFL Draft. In 2023, Wallace made 21 tackles (9 solo, 12 assists), six tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, one sack, two pass breakups, and two quarterback hits in 10 games.
Collegiately, Wallace played three seasons at Texas Tech (2016-18) with 47 tackles (30 solo, 17 assists), seven tackles for loss, two sacks, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery in 20 games for the Red Raiders.
Then, Wallace transferred to Sam Houston State (2019-21) with 77 tackles (47 solo, 30 assists), 24.5 tackles for loss, 9.5 sacks, one pass breakup, four forced fumbles, and one blocked kick in 34 games for the Bearkats. He was named First Team All-Southland Conference in 2021.
