The D.C. Defenders re-signed tight end Trae Barry, defensive tackle Kevin Atkins, and linebacker Momo Sanogo on Wednesday according to the UFL Transactions page.
Trae Barry is six foot six and weighs 250 pounds. The 26-year-old from Summerdale, Alabama, did not play for the Defenders in 2024. The D.C. Defenders signed Barry on January 6, 2023. In 2023, Barry appeared in three games making one tackle (1 assist).
Collegiately, Barry played four seasons at Jacksonville State (2017-20) making 100 catches for 1,610 yards, six touchdowns, and one tackle (1 solo) in 38 games for the Gamecocks. Barry was named First Team All-OVC and HERO Sports Sophomore All-American in 2018.
Then, he transferred to Boston College in 2021 making 21 catches for 362 yards, four touchdowns, and one tackle (1 solo) in 10 games for the Eagles.
Kevin Atkins is six foot two and weighs 307 pounds. The 26-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.
The D.C. Defenders signed Atkins on April 22, 2024. In 2024, Atkins made four tackles (1 solo, 3 assists) and one tackle for loss in three games.
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.
Momo Sanogo is six foot one and weighs 231 pounds. The 25-year-old from Plano, Texas, was drafted by the D.C. Defenders in the 2023 XFL Rookie Draft. In 2024, Sanogo made 32 tackles (19 solo, 13 assists) and two tackles for loss in nine games.
Collegiately, Sanogo played five seasons at Ole Miss (2017-21) making 210 tackles (97 solo, 113 assists), 12 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, four pass breakups, two forced fumbles, and one carry for 47 yards in 48 games for the Rebels.
Then, Sanogo transferred to Louisville in 2022 making 89 tackles (44 solo, 45 assists), 9.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, and three fumble recoveries in 13 games for the Cardinals. He was named an All-ACC Honorable Mention.
