The D.C. Defenders signed tight end Devin Asiasi and claimed offensive lineman Darius Harper off waivers from the Birmingham Stallions on Friday according to Fox Sports.
Devin Asiasi is six foot three and weighs 260 pounds. The 27-year-old from San Mateo, California, was drafted by the New England Patriots in the third round (91st pick) of the 2020 NFL Draft. Asiasi played two seasons in New England making two catches for 39 yards, and one touchdown in 10 games, of which two were starts.
In 2022, he made three catches for 32 yards in one preseason game. The Patriots released him on August 30, 2022. The Cincinnati Bengals acquired him via waivers on August 31, 2022. He made two catches for five yards and one kick return for 14 yards in 12 games.
In 2023, he made one catch for two yards in two preseason games. The Bengals released him on August 29, 2023. He also spent time with the Cleveland Browns and the Tennessee Titans.
Collegiately, Asiasi played one season at Michigan in 2016 making two catches for 18 yards, and one touchdown in 13 games for the Wolverines. Then, he transferred to UCLA (2017-19) making 50 catches for 771 yards, five touchdowns, and two tackles (2 solos) in 12 games for the Bruins.
Darius Harper is six foot seven and weighs 300 pounds. The 27-year-old from Springfield, Ohio, signed with the Los Angeles Chargers as an undrafted free agent on May 1, 2021. He was released by the Chargers on August 30, 2021.
The Birmingham Stallions drafted Harper in the fifth round (36th pick) of the 2022 USFL Draft. He helped the Stallions beat the Philadelphia Stars in the 2022 USFL Championship Game. In 2023, Harper played 9 games, of which seven were starts.
Birmingham’s offense ranked second in passing yards per game (217), first in passing touchdowns (21), third in rushing yards per game (115.6), and seventh in allowed sacks (16) as the Stallions won their second USFL Championship over the Pittsburgh Maulers.
In 2024, Harper played five games. Birmingham’s offense ranked first in total yards (3,475), rushing yards (1,347), second in passing yards (2,128), first in yards per game (347.5), and touchdowns (31) as the Stallions won the UFL Championship over the San Antonio Brahmas 25-0. The Stallions re-signed Harper on August 19, 2024, and later released him on January 30, 2025.
Collegiately, Harper played basketball at Miami (OH) for two seasons (2015-16) season averaging 2.9 points per game and 2.1 rebounds per game playing 30 games for the Redhawks.
Harper transitioned to football transferring to Cincinnati (2018-20) playing tackle in 26 games for the Bearcats. In 2020, Cincinnati’s offense averaged an AAC-best 5.6 yards per carry and ran for 212.4 yards per game on the ground. The offensive line allowed an AAC-low nine sacks during the regular season. He was named an All-ACC Honorable Mention.
