The D.C. Defenders re-signed kicker Matt McCrane and signed running back Deon Jackson and wide receiver Shaq Davis on Monday according to the UFL Transactions page.
Deon Jackson is five foot eleven and weighs 218 pounds. The 25-year-old from Atlanta, Georgia, signed with the Indianapolis Colts as an undrafted free agent on May 6, 2021. In 2021, Jackson had 19 carries for 110 yards, one touchdown, two catches for 8 yards, and one touchdown in three preseason games earning a spot on the roster.
Jackson played two and half seasons in Indianapolis with 94 carries for 281 yards, two touchdowns, 35 catches for 223 yards, one touchdown, and one tackle (1 solo) in 27 games. The Colts released him on September 23, 2023.
Next, Jackson signed with the Cleveland Browns on September 26, 2023. He dressed for one game for the Browns before they released him on October 23, 2023. Then, the New York Giants acquired Jackson off waivers from the Cleveland Browns on October 24, 2024. He played one game with one carry for two yards. The Giants released him on May 21, 2024.
The New York Jets signed Jackson on August 7, 2024. In 2024, Jackson had eight carries for 18 yards and one catch for five yards in three preseason games. The Jets released him on August 27, 2024.
Collegiately, Jackson played four seasons at Duke University (2017-20) with 526 carries for 2,267 yards, 18 touchdowns, 61 catches for 534 yards, four touchdowns, completing 2 of 3 passes (67%) for 41 yards, one touchdown, 28 kick returns for 611 yards, and made three tackles (2 solos, 1 assist) in 24 games for the Blue Devils.
Shaq Davis is six foot five and weighs 215 pounds. The 24-year-old from Summerville, South Carolina, signed with the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent on May 12, 2023. In 2023, he made seven catches for 101 yards in three preseason games to earn a spot on the practice squad. The Saints released him on December 7, 2023.
The Philadelphia Eagles signed Davis on January 18, 2024. The Eagles released him on August 7, 2024, and he re-signed with the New Orleans Saints on August 12, 2024. In 2024, he appeared in one preseason game recording no stats. The Saints released him on August 27, 2024, and he signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers on September 10, 2024, and placed him on the practice squad. The Steelers released him on September 17, 2024.
Collegiately, Davis played four seasons at South Carolina State (2019-22) making 126 catches for 2,648 yards, 27 touchdowns, 17 tackles (12 solos, 5 assists), and one sack in 36 games for the Bulldogs. In the 2021 Celebrations Bowl, Davis made five catches for 95 yards, and three touchdowns helping the Bulldogs beat Jackson State 31-10, and was named MVP.
Matt McCrane is five foot ten and weighs 167 pounds. The 30-year-old from Brownwood, Texas, re-signed with the Defenders on January 22, 2024. He made 16 of 20 field goals (80%) with a long of 58 yards, and seven kickoffs for 469 yards (67.0 AVG), with a long of 64 yards in 10 games in 2024.
The Defenders released McCrane on September 17, 2024, and he signed with the Detroit Lions on September 18, 2024. He spent several weeks on the practice squad but was released on October 7, 2024.
McCrane signed with the Arizona Cardinals as an undrafted free agent on April 30, 2018. He was released on September 1, 2018. McCrane also spent time with the Oakland Raiders, Pittsburgh Steelers, Cleveland Browns, and Philadelphia Eagles. He made 8 of 12 field goals (66.7%) with a long of 47 yards, and 21 kickoffs for 1,250 yards (59.5 AVG) in five games.
In 2020, McCrane played for the New York Guardians (XFL) making 8 of 8 field goals (100%) with a long of 53 yards in five games before the XFL canceled the 2020 season due to COVID-19. McCrane signed with the D.C. Defenders on January 17, 2023. He made 12 of 16 field goals (75%) with a long of 50 yards in 10 games.
Collegiately, McCrane played four seasons at Kansas State (2014-17) making 57 of 66 field goals (86.4%) with a long of 54 yards, 133 of 134 extra points (99.3%), 98 kickoffs for 5,884 yards (60.0%), and 44 touchbacks in 38 games for the Wildcats. He was named First Team All-Big 12 in 2017, Honorable Mention All-American by Sports Illustrated in 2014, Honorable Mention All-Big 12 in 2014, and a Lou Groza Award Semifinalist in 2017.
