The D.C. Defenders released offensive lineman Liam Fornadel on Monday according to the UFL Transactions page. Fornadel is expected to sign with the New England Patriots according to Pro Football Newsroom’s Christian Paolantonio.
Liam Fornadel is six foot four and weighs 312 pounds. The 25-year-old from Wyckoff, New Jersey, went undrafted in the 2022 NFL Draft. Fornadel attended the Pittsburgh Steelers rookie minicamp in 2022. Next, Fornadel was drafted by the D.C. Defenders (XFL) in the ninth round (72nd pick) in Phase 4 of the 2023 XFL Draft. He played ten games with the Defenders in 2023.
In 2024, Fornadel played ten games for D.C. The Defenders were ranked fifth in total yards (2,274), rushing yards (850), yards per game (272.4), fourth in passing yards (1,874), and tied fifth in touchdowns (24).
Collegiately, Fornadel played five seasons at James Madison University (2017-21) playing right guard, right tackle, and left tackle in 54 games for the Dukes. In 2021, James Madison’s offense ranked third nationally in both completion percentage (.676) and pass efficiency rating (171.0), fifth in scoring (38.3), eighth in fewest interceptions (5), 12th on third down (.444), 14th in the red zone (.885) and 17th in both passing average (276.3) and total offense (435.4).
