The D.C. Defenders signed offensive linemen William Barnes and David Satkowski and released offensive lineman D’Marcus Hayes on Thursday according to the UFL Transactions page.
William Barnes is six foot four and weighs 320 pounds. A native of Apopka, Florida, Barnes attended the New York Giants rookie minicamp in 2024 after going undrafted in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Collegiately, Barnes played five seasons at North Carolina (2019-23) playing 61 games on the offensive line for the Tar Heels. In 2023, North Carolina’s offense averaged 299.2 yards passing per game (14th NCAA/1st ACC), 192.1 yards rushing per game (19th NCAA/3rd ACC), 491.2 total yards per game (7th NCAA/1st ACC), and 34.5 points per game (20th NCAA/2nd ACC). In addition, the offense blocked for the nation’s fifth-leading rusher, Omarion Hampton, who ran for 1,504 yards.
David Satkowski is six foot four and weighs 290 pounds. The 23-year-old from Southbury, Connecticut, went undrafted in the 2024 NFL Draft and attended the Chicago Bears rookie minicamp.
Collegiately, Satkowski played four seasons at Stonehill College (2019, 2021-23) playing 31 games on the offensive line for the Skyhawks. In 2023, Stonehill averaged 22.9 points per game, 322.8 yards per game, 155.9 passing yards per game, 166.9 rushing yards per game, and 28 touchdowns finishing 5-5 on the season. Satkowski was named First Team All-NEC in 2023.
D’Marcus Hayes is six foot five and weighs 315 pounds. The 27-year-old from Madison, Mississippi, was drafted by the D.C. Defenders in the 2023 XFL Rookie Draft. He played nine games for the Defenders in 2023 leading them to the XFL Championship Game against the Arlington Renegades.
In 2024, Hayes played eight games, of which six were starts. The Defenders are ranked sixth in total yards (2,030), fifth in rushing yards (644), seventh in passing yards (1,386), sixth in yards per game (253.8), and seventh in points (142).
Collegiately, Hayes played two seasons at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College (2015-16) playing 21 games for the Bulldogs. Then, Hayes transferred to Georgia (2017-19) playing ten games for the Bulldogs.
