The D.C. Defenders released offensive lineman Darius Harper and placed wide receiver Ty Scott (undisclosed) on the injured reserve list on Monday according to the UFL Transactions page.
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. The D.C. Defenders claimed him via waivers on January 31, 2025. He did not play a game for the Defenders in 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.
Ty Scott is six foot three and weighs 202 pounds. The 26-year-old from Estill, South Carolina, re-signed with the D.C. Defenders on December 14, 2024. In 2025, he made 13 catches for 205 yards, and one touchdown in three games.
The Kansas City Chiefs signed Scott as an undrafted free agent on May 8, 2023. He played in one preseason game against the Cleveland Browns making one catch for 8 yards before he was released on August 29, 2023.
Scott signed with the D.C. Defenders on October 20, 2023. In 2024, Scott made 25 catches for 418 yards, three touchdowns, one carry for 15 yards, and two tackles (2 solos) in 10 games.
The Defenders released Scott on July 25, 2024, and he signed with the Seattle Seahawks on July 27, 2024. He played three preseason games targeted two times recording no stats. The Seahawks released him on August 27, 2024. He later re-signed with the Seahawks on September 10, 2024, but was released again on September 13, 2024.
Collegiately, Scott played three seasons at Central Michigan (2018-20) making 42 catches for 690 yards, five touchdowns, and three tackles (3 solo) in 17 games for the Chippewas.
Then, Scott transferred to Missouri State (2021-22) making 114 catches for 1,784 yards, 13 touchdowns, one carry for five yards, one punt return for two yards, and five tackles (4 solos, 1 assist) in 23 games for the Bears. He was named First Team All-MVFC in 2021 and an All-MVFC Honorable Mention in 2022.
