Another DC Defenders XFL team member has signed with an NFL team this offseason as safety Tyree Kinnel has signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers. This comes on the same day that DC Defenders tight end Khari Lee signed a one-year deal with the Atlanta Falcons.
Kinnel played collegiately with the Michigan Wolverines from 2015-2018 totaling 154 total tackles, 9.0 tackles for loss, two interceptions, one pick six and five passes defended. Each year, in his time with the Wolverines, the team’s defense ranked in the top 20 including two years in the top 10 and a year as the number two ranked defense.
As an undrafted free agent, Kinnel signed with the Cincinnati Bengals but never played a regular season game for the team as he was cut after playing four preseason games.
In his five games with the DC Defenders, he totaled 17 combined tackles.
Should Kinnel make the final 53-man roster for the Steelers, he will be joining a defense that ranked fifth in points allowed per game, third in passing yards allowed per game, third in rushing yards allowed per attempt, and led the NFL in rushing touchdowns allowed per game.
Another @XFLDefenders player is NFL bound!@Tkinnel_2 has signed with the @steelers, becoming the 3rd XFL player today to join Pittsburgh. pic.twitter.com/8hlEXYJyhG
— XFL on FOX (@XFLonFOX) March 26, 2020
Pittsburgh got better.
Shoutout to our guy @Tkinnel_2 on signing with the Steelers!#ForgedByDC🛡 pic.twitter.com/grg0G0RHN0
— D.C. Defenders (@XFLDefenders) March 26, 2020
