XFL: D.C. Defenders Announce Eric Dungey As Their First Quarterback

Eric Dungey is back with the XFL. The DC Defenders have their first quarterback as the team prepares to select upwards of 50 players in the next two days of the XFL Draft.

QUOTE FROM D.C. DEFENDERS HEAD COACH REGGIE BARLOW

“We are very excited to add Eric as a true dual threat for the Defenders,” head coach Reggie Barlow said. “Eric has the ability to affect the game not just with his arm, but with his mobility and running ability, which gives us even more options on offense.”

XFL head coaches announced 15 quarterback selections on Tuesday in the league’s first wave of player additions through a three-day draft/selection process.

Seven of the league’s eight teams announced two quarterbacks per roster today, except for the D.C. Defenders.

The reason is that at the eleventh hour before the league’s live-streamed Q.B. selection show. Miami Hurricane dual-threat QB D’Eriq King signed onto the Carolina Panthers practice squad. Ironically enough, as insurance for the uncrowned MVP of XFL 2020, PJ Walker, who is nursing an ankle sprain.

As reported here at XFLNewsHub back in September, D’Eriq King was slated to be an assigned quarterback for the D.C. Defenders. However, the latest development could provide a delay in his potential arrival.

Depending on what happens with King in the NFL. He could very well join D.C. before XFL training camp begins in January. The window to eventually join the Defenders is still wide open. And based on sources close to the situation, the indication is that King is excited about the possibility of playing a starring role in the District, that’s if his stay in the NFL isn’t extended.

D’Eriq King has trained with Jordan Palmer, the XFL’s Director of Quarterback development, in the last few months in preparing to play in the league.

The interest in D’Eriq King by D.C. was a direct tip-off toward the type of Q.B., Defenders head coach Reggie Barlow and offensive coordinator Fred Kaiss are looking to run their offense. As evidenced by the quarterback, the Defenders selected today.

D.C. Defenders QB Eric Dungey (Syracuse)

Eric Dungey, the 26-year-old, 6’4, 226lb dual-threat signal caller, played for four seasons at Syracuse and threw 58 touchdown passes over 39 games. He finished his career throwing for 9,340 yards passing and was named third-team All-ACC in his senior season in 2018 after leading S.U. to its first ten-win season since 2001. During his collegiate career, Dungey also rushed for 1,993 yards and 38 touchdowns for the Orange.

Despite a college career plagued by injuries. The three-star recruit and Oregon native was one of the more exciting players to watch during his time in the ACC. Dungey ended his college run with a bang during the 2018 Camping World Bowl, throwing for 303 yards and a touchdown against West Virginia, winning MVP. He broke a school record previously held by Ryan Nassib for most passing yards in a career during the bowl game.

However, since leaving school, Eric Dungey has encountered a lot of hurdles in his personal life and playing career.

Because of his unique size and skill set, NFL teams saw him as a hybrid player rather than a passer. As a result, Dungey was stuck in proverbial no-mans land as a pro prospect. He was not invited to the NFL combine and did not participate in any college all-star games.

The New York Giants signed Dungey as an undrafted free agent in 2019, where they played him at Tight End and as a Q.B. in the wildcat formation. However, his stay in N.Y. didn’t last long. The Cleveland Browns signed Dungey for a short stint on their practice squad in late 2019.

Dungey would then link up in the XFL as an assigned QB for Bob Stoops and the Renegades in January 2020. However, Dungey would have to leave the team to help his father, Tim, who was diagnosed with Cancer a year earlier.

Dungey was placed on the Renegades’ reserve/left squad list twice, the second time on February 24, 2020, after the unfortunate passing of his father.

Eric Dungey would return to the team a short time later, but the XFL would cease operations shortly after.

In 2021, Eric Dungey agreed to play in the Spring League but was signed by the Cincinnati Bengals in May. He would make it to late August in Cincy before being let go.

Eric Dungey hasn’t had his chance to shine since leaving college, and he will get it now in D.C. in what figures to be a college-inspired offense with the Defenders. He and King could form quite the tandem.

XFL: D.C. Defenders Draft Notes/Preview

In case you missed it. The DC Defenders have the first selection on day one of the XFL Draft. Similar to the 2019 XFL draft, they will pick first in a “beer snake” draft format. The Defenders will get the first crack at the skill position portion of the draft. (R.B., W.R., T.E. & F.B.).

Knowing Defenders OC Fred Kaiss’s run-centric background. It’s possible that D.C. could select a running back early. Kaiss has coached standout players in college, like Isiah Crowell, who have made it into the NFL. But with Reggie Barlow running the show. Perhaps the former NFL wideout and star kick returner could have a receiver in mind for the first overall pick.

D.C. Director of Player Personnel Von Hutchins has studied the XFL’s 1,700-player pool very closely. A veteran on the NFL Draft scouting circuit. Hutchins has done a lot of homework on the most recent class at college pro days, bowl games, and NFL training camps. It would not be shocking if the first pick overall is a skill player from the 2022 NFL draft class, and the league has stated that there are over 700 players from that class in the XFL pool.

XFLNewshub will have full coverage and breakdowns of each team’s selections over the next couple of days. Here are the particulars of the draft process below.

First-Round Selection Order (Offensive Skill Positions):

1. D.C. Defenders
2. St. Louis Battlehawks
3. San Antonio Bahamas
4. Orlando Guardians
5. Vegas Vipers
6. Seattle Sea Dragons
7. Arlington Renegades
8. Houston Roughnecks

Draft Selection Process:

The D.C. Defenders will have the first pick in the Offensive Skill Position draft and will select again with the 16th pick in the following round.

The grid below summarizes the pick order for each of the six draft phases:

Below is the schedule for the remainder of XFL Draft Week. Fans can follow Draft events with a live and interactive Draft Central board at XFL.com. XFL league and team social media platforms will also post behind-the-scenes coverage throughout the day, and updates will appear regularly on ESPN broadcasts.

XFL DRAFT: DAY ONE

When: Wednesday, November 16; 8:30 am P.T./11:30 am E.T.

What: Day one will be broken into four positional groupings, with 11 rounds of selections for each group.

●      Offensive Skill positions (W.R., R.B., T.E., F.B.)

●      Defensive Backs (C.B., Safety, Nickel)

●      Defensive Front Seven (ILB, Edge, DE, D.T.)

●      Offensive Line (LT, LG, C, RG, RT)

XFL DRAFT: DAY TWO

When: Thursday, November 17; 7:30 am P.T./10:30 E.T.

What: Day two will feature Specialists (Kicker, Punt, Long Snapper), followed by open rounds for all available positions.