The Arlington Renegades re-signed defensive backs Joe Powell and Steven Jones Jr. on Tuesday according to the UFL Transactions page.
Joe Powell is six foot two and weighs 205 pounds. The 29-year-old from Portsmouth, Virginia, signed with the Arlington Renegades on May 1, 2024. In 2024, he made 11 tackles (8 solo, 3 assists), one tackle for loss, two interceptions, three pass breakups, and one fumble recovery in five games.
Powell played for the Lehigh Valley Steelhawks (PIFL) in 2015 making 52.5 tackles on his way to being named the Defensive Rookie of the Year. He also played for the Cleveland Gladiators in 2016 with 52 tackles (30 solo, 22 assists), six pass breakups, five interceptions for 160 yards, three touchdowns, and one kick return for five yards. Then, Powell signed with the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent on August 18, 2016.
In 2018, Powell played for the Baltimore Brigade (AFL) making 60 tackles (44 solo, 16 assists), seven pass breakups, one fumble recovery, four interceptions, one touchdown, and one kick return for six yards, and one touchdown.
Next, Powell played for the Birmingham Iron (AAF) in 2019 making 13 tackles (11 solo, 2 assists), and one interception in seven games before the league folded. Powell returned to the Baltimore Brigade a short time later making 55 tackles (45 solo, 10 assists), 16 pass breakups, two fumble recoveries, seven interceptions for 128 yards, 20 kick returns for 502 yards, and four touchdowns.
In 2020, Powell played for the St. Louis Battlehawks (XFL) making five tackles (3 solo, 2 assists) in four games before the league suspended operations due to the pandemic. After St. Louis, Powell signed with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in 2020 but the season was canceled and was released on April 22, 2022.
Then, Powell was drafted by the Arlington Renegades (XFL) in the eighth round (57th pick) in Phase 6 of the 2023 XFL Draft. He made 35 tackles (25 solo, 10 assists), one tackle for loss, two pass breakups, one quarterback hit, one forced fumble, and four interceptions for 164 yards in 10 games helping the Renegades win the 2023 XFL Championship over the D.C. Defenders.
Powell signed with the Carolina Cobras (NAL) on January 16, 2024. In 2024, he made 20 tackles, one blocked kick, five interceptions, two pass breakups, two touchdowns, and 10 kick returns for 153 yards in six games.
Collegiately, Powell played three seasons at Oklahoma (2010-12) making five tackles (2 solo, 3 assists) in nine games for the Sooners. He played four games as a backup wide receiver and five games as a defensive back. Then, Powell transferred to Eastern Illinois in 2013 making three catches for 16 yards, one punt return for 26 yards, and one tackle (1 solo) in seven games for the Panthers.
Steven Jones Jr. is five foot ten and weighs 188 pounds. The 25-year-old from Rockingham, North Carolina, signed with the Arlington Renegades on December 20, 2023. In 2024, Jones Jr. made 32 tackles (26 solo, 6 assists), one tackle for loss, two interceptions, seven pass breakups, and one forced fumble in 10 games.
The Tennessee Titans signed Jones Jr. as an undrafted free agent on May 12, 2023. In 2023, Jones Jr. made one tackle (1 solo) and two pass breakups in three preseason games. The Titans released him on August 29, 2023.
Collegiately, Jones Jr. played five seasons at Appalachian State (2018-22) making 131 tackles (105 solo, 26 assists), 8.5 tackles for loss, one sack, seven interceptions for 194 yards, four touchdowns, 34 pass breakups, two forced fumbles, three blocked kicks, 17 kick returns for 373 yards, two punt returns for 18 yards, and one touchdown in 64 games for the Mountaineers. He was named First Team All-Sun Belt and First Team All-American in 2021.
