The D.C. Defenders released defensive end Fadol Brown and defensive tackle Kevin Atkins on Saturday according to the UFL Transactions page.
Fadol Brown is six foot four and weighs 282 pounds. The 31-year-old from Charleston, South Carolina, attended the D.C. Defenders training camp in 2024 but was released on March 2, 2024. The Defenders re-signed Brown on December 19, 2024.
The Oakland Raiders signed Brown as an undrafted free agent on May 5, 2017. In 2017, he made three tackles (2 solos, 1 assist) in three preseason games and spent the season on the practice squad. In 2018, Brown played eight games making three tackles (3 assists), one tackle for loss, two quarterback hits, and one pass breakup. The Raiders released him on December 4, 2018.
Next, Brown was claimed off waivers by the Green Bay Packers on December 5, 2018. He played eight games in a season and a half making one tackle (1 assist), and two quarterback hits. Then, the Chicago Bears signed him on October 15, 2019, and spent a week on the practice squad. The Bears released him on October 29, 2019.
The D.C. Defenders drafted Brown in the fourth round (28th pick) in Phase 3 of the 2022 XFL Draft. In 2023, Brown made 19 tackles (10 solos, 9 assists), five tackles for loss, and 2.5 sacks in six games for the D.C. Defenders in 2023.
In the playoffs, Brown made seven tackles (2 solos, 5 assists), and one sack helping the Defenders reach the XFL Championship Game against the Arlington Renegades.
Collegiately, Brown played one season at Florida International in 2012 making eight tackles (5 solos, 3 assists), two tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, and one pass breakup in 10 games for the Panthers. Then, Brown transferred to Ole Miss (2014-16) with 109 tackles (43 solos, 66 assists), 15.5 tackles for loss, and four sacks in 30 games for the Rebels.
Kevin Atkins is six foot two and weighs 307 pounds. The 26-year-old from San Diego, California, signed with the San Francisco 49ers as an undrafted free agent on May 13, 2022. He made one tackle (1 solo) in three preseason games.
Then, Atkins was drafted by the St. Louis Battlehawks (XFL) in the fifth round (38th pick) in Phase 3 of the 2022 XFL Draft. Atkins made 14 tackles (5 solos, 9 assists), three tackles for loss, one sack, and one quarterback hit in ten games. The Battlehawks released Atkins on March 22, 2024.
The D.C. Defenders signed Atkins on April 22, 2024. In 2024, Atkins made four tackles (1 solo, 3 assists) and one tackle for loss in three games. The Defenders re-signed Atkins on October 2, 2024.
Collegiately, Atkins played five seasons at Fresno State (2017-21) with 141 tackles (71 solos, 70 assists), 31 tackles for loss, 16.5 sacks, one pass breakup, one forced fumble, and two fumble recoveries in 47 games for the Bulldogs. Atkins was a three-time All-Mountain West Conference Honorable Mention.
