During the Week 10 regular-season finale of the inaugural UFL season, Arlington defeated D.C. by a score of 32-31 at Audi Field. Former Tennessee Volunteers player Alex Ellis, who played as a tight end for D.C., had two receptions and 29 receiving yards in the game. He was targeted three times throughout the match.
For the season, Ellis finished with 21 receptions, 240 receiving yards, and two touchdowns. He played for the Vols from 2011-2015 under head coaches Derek Dooley and Butch Jones, appearing in 26 games and recording 14 receptions, 232 receiving yards, and one receiving touchdown during his time at Tennessee. Despite his college success, Ellis was not chosen in the 2016 NFL draft.
The Defenders, the team Ellis played for in the UFL, finished third in the XFL Conference. This highlights the journey of former Vols players transitioning to professional football leagues after their collegiate careers.