The D.C. Defenders released offensive lineman Jason Poe and defensive tackle Niles Scott on Friday according to the UFL Transactions page.
Jason Poe is six foot one and weighs 300 pounds. The 26-year-old from Fitzgerald, Georgia, signed with the San Francisco 49ers as an undrafted free agent on May 13, 2022. In 2022, he played in three preseason games. He spent the 2022 season on the practice squad. In 2023, he played in three preseason games. The 49ers released him on August 29, 2023.
The New York Jets signed Poe on August 31, 2023. He spent most of the season on the practice squad. The Jets released him on November 6, 2023. The Philadelphia Eagles signed Poe on January 18, 2024. In 2024, Poe played in three preseason games. The Eagles released him on August 27, 2024. The D.C. Defenders signed Poe on December 12, 2024.
Collegiately, Poe played one season at Hutchinson Community College as a fullback with five carries for 18 yards in four games for the Blue Dragons. Next, he transferred to Lenoir-Rhyne University (2018-19) playing on the offensive line in 28 games for the Bears. He was named a two-time First Team All-SAC, two-time All-American, and a two-time winner of the Jacobs Blocking Trophy for best blocker in the conference.
Then, he transferred to Mercer (2020-21) playing on the offensive line in 10 games for the Bears. In 2021, Mercer’s offense averaged 31.70 points per game, 209.4 rushing yards per game, 200.00 passing yards per game, 409.4 total yards per game, and 41 touchdowns finishing 7-3 for the season. He was named First Team All-SoCon in 2021.
Niles Scott is six foot one and weighs 326 pounds. The 29-year-old from Elkton, Maryland, made 29 tackles (13 solo, 16 assists), and two tackles for loss in 10 games for the D.C. Defenders in 2024. The Defenders re-signed him on October 3, 2024.
Scott signed with the San Francisco 49ers as an undrafted free agent on April 30, 2018. The 49ers released him on September 6, 2018. He played one season with the Cincinnati Bengals in 2018 making four tackles (4 solos) in six games.
Scott also spent time with the Denver Broncos, Buffalo Bills, Las Vegas Raiders, Tennessee Titans, New England Patriots, Seattle Seahawks, and Miami Dolphins. The D.C. Defenders drafted Scott in the first round (5th pick) in Phase 3 of the 2023 XFL Draft. He did not play for the Defenders in 2023.
Collegiately, Scott played four seasons at Frostburg State University (2014-17) making 150 tackles (61 solos, 89 assists), 43 tackles for loss, 25.5 sacks, one pass breakup, one forced fumble, three fumble recoveries, and one blocked kick in 43 games for the Bobcats. He was named Second Team All-NJAC in 2016, and First Team All-NJAC in 2017.
