2026 DC Defenders Draft: Day One

The United Football League opened the 2026 UFL Draft today inside league headquarters in Arlington, Texas.

ARLINGTON, Texas (January 13, 2025) – The United Football League opened the 2026 UFL Draft today inside league headquarters in Arlington, Texas. One hundred forty players were selected across the league on Day One of the two-day, position-by-position draft. 

The DC Defenders selected 17 players for the day. 

The draft was structured by position groups, beginning with the offensive front, followed by the defensive front, offensive skill positions, and defensive backs.

UFL teams will retain exclusive rights to the players chosen in today’s draft until the player reports to the team.

Below is a list of today’s selections by the DC Defenders:

Name

Position

School

Adrian Ealy

T

Oklahoma

Durrell Johnson

ED

Liberty

Devonnsha Maxwell

SI

Tennessee-Chattanooga

Dennis Johnson

DI

Grand Valley State

Brian Abraham

ED

Albany

Ferrod Gardner

LB

Louisiana Lafayette

Phil Hoskins

DI

Kentucky

Seth Williams

WR

Auburn

Ben Bresnahan

TE

Vanderbilt

Abram Smith

RB

Baylor

Javon Antonio

WR

Colorado

Trae Barry

TE

Boston College

Deontay Anderson

S

Houston

Leon O'Neal Jr.

S

Texas A&M

Kiondre Thomas

CB

Kansas State

Sam Kidd

S

James Madison

Kai Nacua

S

BYU