The D.C. Defenders signed offensive lineman Greg Long, claimed offensive lineman John Yarbrough off waivers from the San Antonio Brahmas, and placed quarterback Deondre Francois and offensive lineman Tommy Champion on the injured reserve on Tuesday according to the UFL Transactions page.
Greg Long is six foot three and weighs 304 pounds. The 26-year-old from El Paso, Texas, signed with the Arizona Cardinals as an undrafted free agent on May 16, 2022. Then, Long signed with the D.C. Defenders signed Long as a free agent on December 18, 2023, but released him on March 21, 2024.
Collegiately, Long played four seasons at UTEP (2016-19) playing right guard and left tackle in 19 games for the Miners. In 2016, Long was named to the Conference USA All-Freshman Team.
UTEP’s offense averaged 185.5 rushing yards per game and scored 20 rushing touchdowns, while efforts aided Aaron Jones to rush for a single-season program-record 1,773 yards, and allowed 22 sacks (1.83 per game), ranking in the top half of C-USA.
John Yarbrough is six foot five and weighs 301 pounds. The 27-year-old from Homewood, Alabama, played one game for the Brahmas in 2024. In 2024, San Antonio’s offense is ranked third in total yards (1,190), third in rushing yards (706), fourth in passing yards (1,284), and third in yards per game (284.3). The Brahmas signed Yarbrough as a free agent on January 23, 2024.
Before San Antonio, Yarbrough signed with the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent on July 28, 2019. He also spent time with the Carolina Panthers, played five games for the Tampa Bay Vipers (XFL) in 2020, 10 for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in 2021, 10 for the Houston Gamblers (USFL) in 2022, and six games for the Houston Roughnecks (XFL) in 2023.
Collegiately, Yarbrough played four seasons at Richmond (2015-18) playing three different positions on the offensive line in 39 games for the Spiders. He was named Third Team All-CAA in 2017, and Second Team All-CAA in 2018.
Deondre Francois is six foot one and weighs 215 pounds. The 27-year-old from Orlando, Florida, attempted two passes and one carry for one yard in three games for the D.C. Defenders in 2024.
Before Orlando, Francois played in the Fan Controlled Football League for the Glacier Boyz and Wild Aces in 2021, and Bored Ape FC in 2022 completing 48 of 92 passes (52.2%) for 767 yards, 19 touchdowns, three interceptions, 45 carries for 372 yards, and ten touchdowns in 15 games.
In 2021, the played for the Blues (TSL) completing 25 of 44 passes (56.8%) for 243 yards, one touchdown, one interception, and seven carries for 27 yards in four games. He was also a member of the Generals (TSL) but did not see action.
Then, the Orlando Guardians signed Francois as a free agent in 2022. In 2023, Francois completed 20 of 39 passes (51.3%) for 140 yards, three touchdowns, three interceptions, and ten carries for 54 yards for the Orlando Guardians (XFL) in 2023.
Collegiately, Francois played four seasons at Florida State (2015-18) completing 481 of 829 passes (58%) for 6,291 yards, 36 touchdowns, 21 interceptions, 195 carries for 205 yards, and eight touchdowns in 25 games for the Seminoles. In his Florida State career, he threw nine 300-yard passing games and four 350-yard passing games both tied for fourth all-time in FSU history.
Then, Francois transferred to Hampton in 2019 completing 181 of 319 passes (57%) for 2,139 yards, 21 touchdowns, 12 interceptions, 57 carries for 158 yards, four touchdowns, and one catch for ten yards in ten games for the Pirates.
Tommy Champion is six foot five and weighs 320 pounds. The 27-year-old from Jackson, Mississippi, played six games for the D.C. Defenders in 2024.
This season, the Defenders are ranked sixth in total yards (1,732), sixth in rushing yards (555), seventh in passing yards (1,177), third in yards per game (247.4), and seventh in total points (121) in seven games. The D.C. Defenders signed Champion as a free agent on April 18, 2023, and later re-signed with them on January 22, 2024.
Before D.C., Champion signed with the Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted free agent on May 1, 2020, and spent the season on the practice squad. He also had stints with the Saskatchewan Roughriders and Houston Roughnecks.
Collegiately, Champion played six seasons at Copiah-Lincoln Community College (2015-16) playing 18 games for the Wolves. He was the fifth-best offensive tackle in the nation out of junior college according to 247Sports.
Then, Champion transferred to Mississippi State (2017-19) playing right tackle in 36 games, of which 12 were starts for the Bulldogs. In 2018, Mississippi State’s offense ranked second in the SEC in both rushing yards per game (223.6) and yards per rush (5.7).
