The D.C. Defenders signed linebacker Kyron Johnson and defensive back Ameer Speed on Tuesday according to the UFL Transactions page.
Kyron Johnson is six foot and weighs 235 pounds. The 27-year-old from Arlington, Texas, was drafted by the D.C. Defenders in the 2026 UFL Draft. Johnson attended training camp, and the team released him on March 19, 2026.
The Philadelphia Eagles drafted Johnson in the sixth round (181st pick) of the 2022 NFL Draft. In his rookie season, Johnson made eight tackles (6 solos, 2 assists) in 16 games for the Eagles. The Eagles released him on August 29, 2023. He also spent time with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Tennessee Titans. Johnson made nine tackles (7 solos, 2 assists) in four preseason games.
Collegiately, Johnson played five seasons at Kansas (2017-21) with 191 tackles (126 solos, 65 assists), 22 tackles for loss, 11.5 sacks, eight forced fumbles, and five pass breakups in 57 games, of which 39 were starts for the Jayhawks.
In his senior season, Johnson had 61 tackles (41 solos, 30 assists), 7.5 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, four sacks, and one pass breakup in 12 games. He was named All-Big 12 Second Team in 2021.
Ameer Speed is six foot three and weighs 215 pounds. The 26-year-old from Jacksonville, Florida, was drafted by the New England Patriots in the sixth round (214th pick) of the 2023 NFL Draft. He also spent time with the Indianapolis Colts, Chicago Bears, Cleveland Browns, and the Houston Texans. Speed made nine tackles (7 solos, 2 assists) and one tackle for loss in 17-career NFL games.
Collegiately, Speed spent five seasons at Georgia (2017-21) with 25 tackles (18 solos, 7 assists) and one pass breakup in 48 games for the Bulldogs. In 2021, he made 13 tackles (7 solos, 6 assists) in 13 games when the Bulldogs won the CFP National Championship.
Then, he transferred to Michigan State in 2022 with 62 tackles (36 solos, 26 assists), one tackle for loss, and five pass breakups in 12 games for the Spartans.
