The D.C. Defenders signed defensive end Derek Parish and defensive back Gareon Conley on Friday according to the UFL Transactions page.
Derek Parish is six foot one and weighs 241 pounds. The 27-year-old from Pearland, Texas, re-signed with the Argonauts on February 10, 2025. In 2025, he made 32 tackles and five sacks in 16 games. The Argonauts released him on January 26, 2026.
The Jacksonville Jaguars drafted Parish in the seventh round (240th pick) of the 2023 NFL Draft. In 2023, he was a two-way player playing tight end and defensive end. He was targeted one time in three preseason games. The Jaguars released him on October 16, 2023.
The Toronto Argonauts signed Parish on January 22, 2024. In 2024, he made 21 tackles, five tackles on special teams, and six sacks in 18 games, helping the Argonauts win the 111th Grey Cup over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
Collegiately, Parish played five seasons at Houston (2018-22) with 158 tackles (80 solos, 78 assists), 33.5 tackles for loss, 17 sacks, two forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries in 51 games for the Cougars. He was named Second Team All-AAC in 2021.
Gareon Conley is six foot and weighs 190 pounds. The 30-year-old from Massillon, Ohio, signed with the Dallas Cowboys on June 18, 2024. The Cowboys released him on July 28, 2024. After his release, he announced his retirement.
The Oakland Raiders drafted Conley in the first round (24th pick) of the 2017 NFL Draft. On October 21, 2019, the Raiders traded Conley to the Houston Texans. Conley played 31 NFL regular-season games with 94 tackles (65 solos, 29 assists), 29 pass breakups, four interceptions for 67 yards, and one touchdown.
Then, Conley signed with the D.C. Defenders on December 26, 2023. In 2024, Conley made 25 tackles (25 solos, 5 assists), one tackle for loss, two interceptions for nine yards, five pass breakups, and one forced fumble in seven games. The Defenders released him on June 18, 2024.
Collegiately, Conley played three seasons at Ohio State (2014-16) with 91 tackles (66 solos, 25 assists), one tackle for loss, half a sack, six interceptions, and 15 pass breakups in 41 games for the Buckeyes.
