The D.C. Defenders acquired defensive back Kiondre Thomas from the Houston Roughnecks for quarterback Jalan McClendon on Wednesday according to the UFL Transactions page.
Kiondre Thomas is six foot and weighs 185 pounds. The 26-year-old from Fort Smith, Arkansas, signed with the Houston Roughnecks on March 2, 2024. In 2024, Thomas made 14 tackles (11 solo, 3 assists), one tackle for loss, one interception, and three pass breakups in six games.
The Roughnecks released Thomas on July 25, 2024. He signed with the Carolina Panthers on July 25, 2024. The Panthers released him on August 3, 2024, and he signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers on August 15, 2024. In 2024, Thomas made six tackles (4 solo, 2 assists). The Steelers released him on August 26, 2024. The Houston Roughnecks re-signed Thomas on October 30, 2024.
Thomas signed with the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent on May 14, 2021. He also spent time with the Los Angeles Chargers playing four games for them in 2021 with one tackle (1 assist).
Next, the Green Bay Packers signed Thomas as a free agent on January 26, 2022, and spent two seasons on the practice squad. Thomas made four tackles (3 solo, 1 assist) in three preseason games for the Green Bay Packers in 2023. He appeared in one regular season game in 2023 with one fumble recovery.
Collegiately, Thomas played three seasons at Minnesota (2017-19) with 75 tackles (64 solo, 11 assists), two tackles for loss, one interception, eight pass breakups, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery in 32 games for the Gophers.
Then, Thomas transferred to Kansas State in 2020 with 27 tackles (22 solo, 5 assists), and four pass breakups in eight games for the Wildcats.
Jalan McClendon is six foot four and weighs 222 pounds. The 29-year-old from Charlotte, North Carolina, signed with the D.C. Defenders on January 22, 2024. In 2024, McClendon completed 13 of 21 passes (61.9%) for 129 yards, seven carries for 27 yards, and one touchdown in five games. The Defenders re-signed McClendon on November 4, 2024.
McClendon signed with the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent on May 13, 2019, but was released on May 17, 2019. Next, he signed with the Washington Redskins on August 11, 2019. In 2019, McClendon completed 4 of 10 passes (40%) for 16 yards, and one interception in two preseason games. The Redskins released him on August 31, 2019.
Then, McClendon was drafted by the Los Angeles Wildcats (XFL) in Phase 5 of the 2020 XFL Draft. In 2020, he completed 1 of 4 passes (25%) for no yards and one interception in one game before the league shutdown due to the pandemic.
McClendon was drafted by the Vegas Vipers (XFL) in the Phase 0 of the 2023 XFL Draft. In 2023, McClendon completed 67 of 112 passes (59.8%) for 873 yards, 5 touchdowns, 1 interception, and 30 carries for 137 yards in four games. McClendon became a free agent when the Vipers were not included in the XFL and USFL merger that formed the United Football League (UFL).
Collegiately, McClendon played three seasons at North Carolina State (2015-17) completing 26 of 47 passes (55%) for 262 yards, one touchdown, four interceptions, 46 carries for 223 yards, two touchdowns, and one tackle (1 solo) in 21 games for the Wolfpack.
Then, he transferred to Baylor in 2018 completing 55 of 91 passes (60%) for 715 yards, three touchdowns, three interceptions, 34 carries for 102 yards, and two touchdowns in nine games for the Bears.
