Former Toronto Argonauts DL Derek Parish signs with UFL’s DC Defenders

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Former CFL defensive lineman Derek Parish has signed with the DC Defenders in the United Football League, per the league’s transaction wire.

Parish was released by the Toronto Argonauts on Monday, January 26, after spending the past two seasons with the team. In 34 games, he made 53 defensive tackles, five special teams tackles, 11 sacks, and one forced fumble, winning a Grey Cup in 2024.

The 27-year-old was originally a seventh-round pick of the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 2023 NFL Draft. He converted from defensive end to fullback with the team, but was waived at the end of training camp. He was added to Jacksonville’s practice roster shortly thereafter but was released again six weeks later.

The six-foot-one, 245-pound defender played 51 collegiate games at the University of Houston from 2017 to 2022 and made 158 tackles, 33.5 tackles for loss, 17 sacks, two forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries. He was named second-team All-ACC in 2021.

The 2026 UFL season is slated to begin on March 27 and will conclude on June 13.