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XFL D.C. Defenders

Week 3 Preview: Get to Know the Los Angeles Wildcats

February 18, 2020 - XFL (XFL)
D.C. Defenders News Release


Thanks to a 27-0 victory in Week 2 over the new York Guardians - the first shutout of the 2020 XFL season - the DC Defenders hit the road for the very first time.

On Sunday, Feb. 23, the Defenders (2-0) take on the Los Angeles Wildcats (0-2) at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif.

The Wildcats and Defenders are separated by over 2,000 miles, but the familiarity between the two teams is much, much closer.

The Defenders have only made two trades since the October XFL Draft, but both trades were made with the Wildcats. During training camp, the Defenders traded former William & Mary wide receiver Tre McBride to the Wildcats for former Redskins wide receiver Rashad Ross. Just a day prior to their Week 2 showdown with the New York Guardians, the Defenders delt cornerback Bradley Sylve to Los Angeles for Wildcats team captain and defensive end Anthony Johnson.

But McBride and Johnson are just two of the Wildcats players you should be familiar with.

KNOW YOUR OPPONENTS: LOS ANGELES WILDCATS

Home Field: Dignity Health Sports Park (27,000)

Team Colors: Black, red, orange

Team President: Heather Brooks Karatz

Head Coach: Winston Moss

Record: 0-2 (17-37 Loss to Roughnecks, 18-25 loss to Renegades)

PLAYERS YOU MAY KNOW: LOS ANGELES WILDCATS

#2 QB Jalan McClendon, Baylor: Former reserve QB for Baltimore Ravens and Washington Redskins.

#8 QB Josh Johnson, San Diego: Started three games at QB for the Washington Redskins in 2019. Played for Defenders offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand at the University of San Diego.

#9 K Nick Novak, Maryland: Attended Albermarle HS in Charlottesville, Va. A two-time All-ACC selection at Maryland. Was a member of the Washington Redskins on two separate occasions. Named to the San Diego Chargers All-Decade team for the 2010s.

#10 WR Kermit Whitfield, Florida State: Scored a kick return touchdown in the 2014 BCS National Championship Game against Auburn. He set an ACC record for average return yards in a single season (34.5).

#15 WR Tre McBride, William & Mary: Former Defenders wide receiver traded to Wildcats for Rashad Ross during training camp. The son of the current Quartermaster General of the United States army Douglas McBride.

#22 S Jerome Couplin, William & Mary: Born and raised in Washington, D.C. Went to Bishop McNamara High School. Was college teammates with former Defenders WR Tre McBride.

#27 CB Harlan Miller, Southeast Louisiana: Signed by Washington Redskins in December 2018. Was released by the team in April 2019.

#29 S Jack Tocho, North Carolina State: Was a member of the Redskins practice squad in 2019.

#30 CB Bradley Sylve, Alabama: Former Defenders cornerback who scored the first defensive touchdown in team history. Was traded to Wildcats for DE Anthony Johnson prior to Week 2.

#34 RB Elijah Hood, North Carolina: A former high school All-American and two-time All-ACC selection. Selected by the Oakland Raiders with the No. 242 overall pick (7th Round) in the 2017 NFL Draft.

#56 OG Nico Siragusa, San Diego State: Drafted by Baltimore Ravens with No. 122 overall pick (4th Round) in 2017 NFL Draft. Not related to former Ravens legend Tony Siragusa.

#66 C Patrick Vahe, Texas: Signed by the Baltimore Ravens as an UDFA following the 2019 NFL Draft. Was released during final training camp cuts.

#77 DE Shawn Oakman, Baylor: From Philadelphia, Penn. Attended Penn State before transferring to Baylor. A Third Team All-American and First Team All-Big 12 selection in 2014.

Check out the D.C. Defenders Statistics



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