DAVIS, Calif. – Former UC Davis All-American punter Daniel Whelan is no stranger to winning. In his first full professional season, the Enniskerry, Wicklow, Ireland native has been a crucial piece to the DC Defenders incredible season. 

Whelan has put together an impressive rookie campaign as the Defenders enter the North Division Championship Game after posting the best regular season record in all of the XFL with a 9-1 mark. 

The former finalist for FCS Punter of the Year finished the XFL regular season ranked third in punting average at 45.6 per kick. The only two he was behind were former NFL punting yards leader Marquette King and five-year NFL veteran Brad Wing. 

On top of ranking third in punting average, Whelan drilled 11 punts inside the 20, which also ranked third and he booted a long of 66 yards. 

"I have definitely showcased what I am capable of doing," Whelan said. "The great thing is I am still learning and getting better every day. I have enjoyed watching the other punters in the league." 
 

The Defenders are on a roll as they enter the playoffs. Winners of three-straight, DC is slated to face the Seattle Sea Dragons on Sunday, April 30, in the North Division Championship Game. The contest is scheduled to kickoff at 3 p.m. ET and will air on ESPN.

During his time at UC Davis, Whelan was named a HERO Sports FCS All-American and a Stats Perform FCS All-American in 2021. He finished his collegiate career as arguably the greatest punter in Aggie history, averaging a school record 44.01 yards per punt and a single-season record 46.25 yards per kick in 2021. 

Whelan had at least one punt of 60 yards or more in seven games that season and had 21 of 50 or more. The 6-6 punter also handled kickoff duties, with 37 of his 68 going for touchbacks. He earned All-Big Sky honors three times and garnered All-American accolades in two straight seasons.

At the conclusion of the 2021 spring season, Whelan earned first-team All-America honors from four organizations from Stats Perform, AFCA, HERO Sports and Phil Steele and was a finalist for FCS Punter of the Year after punting 17 times for 815 yards for a 47.9 average, tops among the Big Sky en route to earning All-Big Sky first-team honors. In 2019, Whelan was named to the All-Big Sky third team and nabbed honorable mention accolades in 2018. 

"I am really appreciative of my time at UC Davis," Whelan said. "I miss the brotherhood for sure, but I am glad that we have that here in DC." 

Upon reflecting on his time with the Aggies, Whelan fondly remembers one of his favorite games he played in. During his sophomore campaign, the Ags traveled to Missoula as the No. 6 team in the country to play in front of the raucous crowd at Washington-Grizzly Stadium.

Down 21-3 at the half to Montana, the Aggies scored 46 unanswered points in the second half to improve to 7-1 on the season and remain unbeaten in Big Sky play at 5-0. UC Davis won the matchup, 49-21. In that contest, Whelan punted six times for 259 yards (43.2 avg.), drilling two punts over 50 yards and two inside the 20. 

"We were playing at Montana and down a lot at the half," Whelan recollects. "To see their stadium empty out was a great feeling. That was a fun season." 

The Ags went on to finish 10-3 that season and 7-1 in Big Sky play to make their first FCS playoff appearance in program history. UC Davis took down Northern Iowa in the second round of the playoffs at the friendly confines of UC Davis Health Stadium, 23-16, to advance to the quarterfinal round. 

Whelan started his professional career by signing an undrafted free agent contract with the New Orleans Saints. 

"It was great, I learned a lot and definitely saw where I need to be at and gave me something to reach for," Whelan said of his short time in an NFL camp to the Desert Sun. "And now I have a little chip on my shoulder because of it. So, I'm very thankful for the opportunity."

UC Davis will open the 2023 season on the road at Texas A&M – Commerce. The season-opener is slated for Thursday, Aug. 31, in Commerce, Texas. Football season tickets are now on sale. Click HERE or call the ticket office at 530-752-2471 for more information.