The Birmingham Stallions signed linebacker JoJo Domann and released linebacker DeMarquis Gates on Wednesday according to Pro Football Newsroom reporter James Larsen.
JoJo Domann is six foot one and weighs 230 pounds. The 27-year-old from Colorado Springs, Colorado, signed with the Indianapolis Colts as an undrafted free agent on May 13, 2022. In 2022, he made seven tackles (3 solos, 4 assists) in two preseason games. In the regular season, Domann made eight tackles (4 solos, 4 assists) in 16 games.
In 2023, Domann made six tackles (3 solos, 3 assists) in one preseason game. He missed two preseason games due to a concussion. The Colts released him on September 8, 2023. Next, he signed with the Tennessee Titans on December 6, 2023. Domann made three tackles, 2 solos, 1 assist) in three games. In 2024, he missed the preseason with an undisclosed injury. The Titans released him on September 5, 2024.
Collegiately, Domann played six seasons at Nebraska (2016-21) making 197 tackles (133 solos, 76 assists), 25.5 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, two interceptions for 18 pass breakups, and nine forced fumbles in 51 games for the Cornhuskers. He was named Second Team All-American and Second Team All-Big Ten in 2021.
DeMarquis Gates is six foot two and weighs 230 pounds. The 29-year-old from Hampton, Georgia, re-signed with the Stallions on February 13, 2024. In 2024, Gates made 37 tackles (22 solo, 15 assists), three tackles for loss, two sacks, two pass breakups, and one forced fumble in seven games.
In the 2024 UFL playoffs, Gates made eight tackles (3 solos, 5 assists), one tackle for loss, and one sack in two games helping the Stallions win their third consecutive championship (2 USFL, 1 UFL). The Stallions re-signed Gates on September 20, 2024.
Gates signed with the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent on May 22, 2018. The Browns released him on June 14, 2018. He also had stints with the Washington Redskins and Minnesota Vikings. Next, Gates played for the Memphis Express (AAF) in 2019 making 72 tackles (53 solos, 19 assists), two fumble recoveries, and five forced fumbles in eight games before the league ceased operations.
In 2020, Gates played four the Houston Roughnecks (XFL) with 32 tackles (25 solos, 7 assists), two sacks, and one interception in five games before the league shutdown due to the pandemic. In 2021, Gates played for the Saskatchewan Roughriders making five tackles and three tackles on special teams.
Next, Gates was drafted by the Birmingham Stallions in the 29th round (234th pick) of the 2022 USFL Draft. In 2022, Gates made 62 tackles (43 solos, 19 assists), 11 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, one interception, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, and three pass breakups.
In the playoffs, Gates made 14 tackles (12 solos, 2 assists), one tackle for loss, half a sack, one interception for 71 yards, one touchdown, and three pass breakups helping the Stallions win the USFL Championship. He was named to the All-USFL Team in 2022.
The Chicago Bears signed Gates as a free agent on August 6, 2022. He made one tackle (1 solo) in one game for the Chicago Bears in 2023 against the Green Bay Packers. The Bears released him on January 3, 2024.
Collegiately, Gates played four seasons at Ole Miss (2014-17) making 282 tackles (163 solos, 119 assists), 17.5 tackles for loss, six sacks, nine pass breakups, one fumble recovery, and three forced fumbles in 45 games for the Rebels.
