Two Former Georgia Bulldogs Help DC Defenders Capture UFL Championship, Showcasing Grit, Power, and SEC-Bred Excellence on Stage

The road from college football greatness to professional success often takes unexpected detours, and for two former Georgia Bulldogs, that path has now included a championship trophy in the United Football League. With the DC Defenders hoisting the UFL title after a thrilling postseason run, it’s a moment of triumph not only for the franchise but also for these two Georgia standouts who brought their SEC toughness and championship pedigree to the nation’s capital.

Linebacker D’Andre Walker and offensive lineman Justin Shaffer—both proud Georgia alums—played instrumental roles in the Defenders’ journey to UFL glory. Their championship win serves as a testament to the pipeline of talent forged in Athens and the continued excellence that follows Bulldogs even after their time “Between the Hedges” ends.

For Walker, a ferocious edge presence during his collegiate days, the UFL season was an opportunity to reignite a career that had been slowed by injuries and roster cuts in the NFL. Drafted in the fifth round of the 2019 NFL Draft by the Tennessee Titans, Walker never got a chance to make his mark in a regular-season game due to injury setbacks. But with the Defenders, he found his rhythm again. Leading the team in sacks and quarterback pressures over the regular season, Walker became a defensive cornerstone and the emotional heartbeat of the front seven.

In the championship game, Walker delivered yet again, recording two sacks and a key forced fumble that changed the momentum late in the third quarter. His ability to bend the edge and finish plays in the backfield gave the Defenders’ defense a much-needed jolt every time the opposing quarterback threatened to shift the momentum.

“I just kept believing,” Walker said postgame, holding the UFL championship trophy aloft. “Georgia taught me to fight for every inch. I carried that mentality here, and now we’re champions.”

On the other side of the ball, Justin Shaffer held the line—literally. A former sixth-round pick of the Atlanta Falcons in 2022, Shaffer’s size and power as an interior offensive lineman were hallmarks of his game at Georgia. Though he bounced around practice squads in the NFL, he found a home and a starting spot with the Defenders. All season long, Shaffer served as the anchor of a dominant run-blocking unit, helping open gaping holes for DC’s backs and protecting their quarterback with fierce consistency.

In the championship clash, Shaffer delivered a clinic in interior line play, pancaking defenders and driving his man backward play after play. It was a performance that caught the eyes of scouts in attendance and may have reopened the NFL door for the 6-foot-4, 330-pound mauler.

“I’m just thankful for the chance to play ball again,” Shaffer said, emotion thick in his voice. “At Georgia, we were taught to dominate. That mindset never left me. The Defenders gave me a chance to prove it.”

Both players’ presence on the roster added a championship-tested mindset to a team trying to find its footing in a league still carving out its identity. The DC Defenders embraced the identity of toughness, resilience, and unity, and in many ways, that blueprint mirrors the program Kirby Smart built in Athens—one focused on development, physicality, and discipline.

The UFL championship game itself was a thriller, a hard-hitting, back-and-forth battle that highlighted the league’s growing competitiveness and talent depth. The Defenders ultimately pulled away in the final quarter, sparked by Walker’s defensive heroics and a ground game that punished the opposition behind Shaffer and the offensive line. The 27-20 victory was hard-fought and richly deserved, punctuated by postgame celebrations that saw red and black flare proudly on the field—not just the Defenders’ team colors, but symbolic of their Bulldog bloodline.

Georgia fans, never shy about following their alumni’s careers, had plenty of reason to celebrate. On social media, messages of support and pride poured in from fellow Bulldogs and Georgia faithful. Kirby Smart himself sent a congratulatory message that read, in part, “Proud of D’Andre and Justin—two Damn Good Dawgs proving once again that Georgia prepares you for greatness, wherever you go.”

Indeed, this championship moment could serve as a launching pad for more opportunities. NFL training camps are fast approaching, and with key depth needed across rosters, performances like those turned in by Walker and Shaffer could attract second looks from teams in need of hungry, experienced professionals.

The UFL, created as a spring league to showcase and develop overlooked or unsigned talent, has fulfilled its mission beautifully with stories like these. For players like Walker and Shaffer—both of whom starred in one of college football’s premier programs—the league has been more than just a stage; it’s been a revival.

In Athens, both players were known for their leadership and grit. Walker, part of Georgia’s defensive renaissance under Smart, was a relentless pass rusher whose motor never stopped. He tallied 13.5 sacks over his career and made life miserable for quarterbacks throughout the SEC. His impact was felt not just in box scores but in game plans, as offenses were forced to chip, double-team, and account for him on every snap.

Shaffer, meanwhile, emerged as a late bloomer on Georgia’s deep offensive line. His senior year in 2021 was especially impactful, as he helped the Bulldogs claim the national title with one of the most physically dominant fronts in recent college football memory. His strength in the run game and ability to hold his ground in pass protection made him a steadying force, and his development was a model of patience and perseverance.

Those traits have clearly followed both men into the professional ranks. Though the NFL may not have opened the doors they expected early in their pro careers, the UFL has given them a chance to rewrite the narrative—and they’ve done so emphatically.

As the Defenders soaked in their championship celebration, it was hard not to reflect on what it all meant. For the league, the game marked a high point—a demonstration that spring football can thrive, entertain, and produce meaningful competition. For DC, it was validation that building a roster around motivated, experienced players pays off. And for Walker and Shaffer, it was a full-circle moment, a payoff for years of grit, setbacks, and the determination to prove they still belong among the game’s elite.

“I’ve been through the ups and downs,” Walker said. “But I never gave up. I kept training, kept grinding. This championship is for everybody who believed in me—and for Georgia. Once a Dawg, always a Dawg.”

With another UFL season concluded and a new chapter potentially on the horizon for these two Bulldogs, one thing is certain: the fire forged in Athens still burns hot. And for DC fans and Georgia supporters alike, their UFL title run is a reminder that true champions rise—again and again.