The Memphis Showboats signed defensive back D.J. Daniel and released defensive back Christian McFarland on Tuesday according to the UFL Transactions page.
D.J. Daniel is six foot one and weighs 185 pounds. The 25-year-old from Griffin, Georgia, was drafted by the Showboats in the 2024 UFL Dispersal Draft but was released on March 23, 2024.
Before Memphis, Daniel signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars as an undrafted free agent on May 13, 2021, but was released on August 17, 2021. Then, he signed with the New England Patriots and was placed on the practice squad.
After New England, Daniel signed with the New Jersey Generals (USFL) as a free agent on June 14, 2022. In 2022, Daniel played one game for the Generals. In 2023, Daniel made 30 tackles (27 solo, 3 assists), one tackle for loss, three interceptions, and six pass breakups in ten games.
Collegiately, Daniel played two seasons at Georgia Military College (2017-18) with 36 tackles (32 solo, 4 assists), one tackle for loss, five interceptions for 38 yards, 12 pass breakups, and five blocked kicks in 19 games for the Bulldogs. He helped lead Georgia Military’s defense allowing 159.6 passing yards per game and 16.8 points per game.
Then, he transferred to Georgia (2019-20) with 51 tackles (44 solo, 7 assists), three tackles for loss, and nine pass breakups in 21 games for the Bulldogs.
Christian McFarland is five foot eleven and weighs 200 pounds. The 25-year-old from Sacramento, California, made 15 tackles (11 solo, 4 assists), one tackle for loss, one pass breakup, and one fumble recovery in four games for the Memphis Showboats in 2023. The Showboats drafted McFarland in the 2024 UFL Super Dispersal Draft.
The Birmingham Stallions drafted McFarland in the 18th round (148th pick) of the 2022 USFL Draft. He made 43 tackles (31 solo, 12 assists), and three pass breakups in ten games in 2022 helping the Stallions with the USFL Championship over the Philadelphia Stars.
In 2023, McFarland made 53 tackles (31 solo, 22 assists), and four pass breakups in ten games for the Stallions in 2023 in route to winning its second straight USFL Championship.
Collegiately, McFarland played one season at Azusa Pacific University in 2016 with 16 tackles (11 solo, 5 assists), three pass breakups, one forced fumble, two punt returns for five yards, and ten kick returns for 203 yards in 12 games for the Cougars.
Then, McFarland transferred to Sacramento City College in 2017 with 85 tackles (62 solo, 23 assists), 3.5 tackles for loss, one fumble recovery, two interceptions for 42 yards, three pass breakups, and one blocked kick in 11 games for the Panthers.
After Sacramento College, McFarland transferred to Idaho State University (2018-19) with 141 tackles (85 solo, 56 assists), three tackles for loss, two interceptions for 76 yards, one touchdown, 13 pass breakups, one forced fumble, two fumble recoveries, and one kick return for five yards in 22 games for the Bengals.
