The D.C. Defenders selected quarterbacks Jordan Ta’amu, Mike DiLiello, and Spencer Sanders in the 2026 Quarterback Draft, and offensive linemen Gottlieb Ayedze and Johari Branch, and linebacker Brandon Smith in the Regional College Allocation on Monday.
Jordan Ta’amu is six foot three and weighs 221 pounds. The 28-year-old from Pearl City, Hawaii, re-signed with the D.C. Defenders on January 14, 2024. In 2025, he completed 155 of 285 passes (54.4%) for 2,153 yards, 17 touchdowns, four interceptions, 41 carries for 178 yards, and two rushing touchdowns in nine games.
In the playoffs, he completed 39 of 54 passes (72.2%) for 594 yards, five touchdowns, one interception, 10 carries for 41 yards, and one rushing touchdown, leading the Defenders to beat the Michigan Panthers in the UFL Championship game.
The Houston Texans signed Ta’amu as an undrafted free agent on August 7, 2019. In 2020, he played for the St. Louis Battlehawks (XFL), completing 97 of 134 passes (72.4%) for 1,050 yards, five touchdowns, two interceptions, 41 carries for 217 yards, and one touchdown in five games before the league ceased operations due to the pandemic.
Next, Ta’amu spent time with the Kansas City Chiefs, Detroit Lions, Washington Football Team, and the Carolina Panthers. Then, Ta’amu was drafted by the Tampa Bay Bandits (USFL) in the first round (2nd pick) of the 2022 USFL Draft.
In 2022, he completed 172 of 302 passes (57%) for 2,014 yards, 14 touchdowns, 12 interceptions, 59 carries for 365 yards, and one touchdown in ten games. He led the league in passing yards and touchdowns.
The D.C. Defenders signed Ta’amu as a free agent on January 1, 2023. In 2023, Ta’amu completed 142 of 227 passes (62.6%) for 1,878 yards, 14 touchdowns, three interceptions, 67 carries for 301 yards, and three touchdowns, leading the Defenders to the XFL Championship game against the Arlington Renegades.
Ta’amu was named XFL Offensive Player of the Year. After the season, he signed with the Minnesota Vikings on August 21, 2023. He did not appear in a preseason game, and the Vikings released him on August 28, 2023.
He re-signed with the Defenders on February 8, 2024. In 2024, Ta’amu completed 161 of 280 passes (57.5%) for 1,845 yards, 15 touchdowns, 9 interceptions, 43 carries for 203 yards, and one touchdown in 10 games.
Collegiately, Ta’amu played two seasons at New Mexico Institute (2015-16), completing 201 of 339 passes (59.3%) for 3,034 yards, 33 touchdowns, eight interceptions, 119 carries for 343 yards, seven touchdowns, and one catch for 21 yards in 13 games for the Broncos. He was named the 2016 Southwest Junior College Football Conference Player of the Year, All-Region, and All-SWJCFC.
Then, he transferred to Ole Miss (2017-18), completing 381 of 591 passes (64%) for 5,600 yards, 30 touchdowns, 12 interceptions, and 173 carries for 507 yards, 10 touchdowns in 20 games for the Rebels.
Mike DiLiello is six foot one and weighs 215 pounds. The 25-year-old from Pembroke Pines, Florida, re-signed with the Defenders on October 16, 2024. In 2025, he completed 36 of 56 passes (64.3%) for 359 yards, two touchdowns, and 17 carries for 68 yards in six games when the Defenders won the UFL Championship over the Michigan Panthers.
DiLiello went undrafted in the 2024 NFL Draft and attended the Tennessee Titans rookie minicamp last week. The D.C. Defenders signed DiLiello on May 15, 2024. He did not play for the Defenders in 2024.
Collegiately, DiLiello played two seasons at Florida Tech (2018-19), completing 141 of 233 passes (61%) for 1,773 yards, 12 touchdowns, six interceptions, 139 carries for 672 yards, and 11 touchdowns in 11 games for the Panthers.
Next, DiLiello transferred to Middle Tennessee State (2020-21), completing 32 of 53 passes (60%) for 302 yards, two touchdowns, two interceptions, 51 carries for 270 yards, six touchdowns, and one tackle (1 solo) in 13 games for the Blue Raiders.
Then, DiLiello transferred to Austin Peay (2022-23) completing 442 of 690 passes (64%) for 5,611 yards, 49 touchdowns, 21 interceptions, 243 carries for 649 yards, 13 touchdowns, punting the ball four times for 78 yards with a long of 34 yards, one from inside the 20-yard line, and one tackle (1 solo) in 23 games for the Governors.
In 2023, DiLiello completed 242 of 362 passes (67%) for 3,164 yards, 28 touchdowns, 10 interceptions, 123 carries for 203 yards, five touchdowns, and punting the ball four times for 78 yards with a long of 34 yards, and one from inside the 20-yard line in 12 games.
He was named First Team All-UAC, STATS Perform Walter Payton Award Finalist, and Third Team All-American by both STATS and FCS Football Central.
Spencer Sanders is six foot one and weighs 210 pounds. The 26-year-old from Dallas, Texas, attended the Kansas City Chiefs rookie minicamp in 2024. The D.C. Defenders signed Sanders on February 17, 2025. He dressed for one and served as the team’s third-string quarterback.
Collegiately, Sanders played four seasons at Oklahoma State (2019-22), completing 765 of 1,254 passes (61%) for 9,553 yards, 67 touchdowns, 40 interceptions, 493 carries for 1,956 yards, 18 touchdowns, and three catches for nine yards in 43 games for the Cowboys. He was named First Team All-Big 12, Big 12 Offensive Freshman of the Year, 2020 Cheez-It Bowl MVP, and the 2021 PlayStation Fiesta Bowl MVP.
Then, he transferred to Ole Miss in 2023, completing 19 of 29 passes (66%) for 278 yards, three touchdowns, and 11 carries for 45 yards in nine games for the Rebels. He participated in the 2024 Hula Bowl.
Gottlieb Ayedze is six foot four and weighs 309 pounds. The 25-year-old from Germantown, Maryland, was drafted by the D.C. Defenders in the first round (4th pick) of the 2024 UFL College Draft.
He signed with the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted free agent on May 3, 2024. The Eagles released him on August 27, 2024. The Las Vegas Raiders signed Ayedze to the practice squad on September 25, 2024. In 2025, he played in three preseason games. The Raiders released him on August 25, 2025.
Collegiately, Ayedze spent four seasons at Frostburg State University (2019-22), where he played 32 games for the Bobcats. In 2022, Frostburg State averaged 27.55 points per game, 372.1 total yards per game, 180.82 passing yards per game, 191.3 rushing yards per game, 35 touchdowns, and allowed 17 sacks, finishing 8-3 for the season. He was named a three-time First Team All-MEC.
Then, he transferred to Maryland in 2023, playing right tackle in 11 games for the Terrapins. In 2023, Maryland averaged 29.69 points per game, 387.3 total yards per game, 278.92 passing yards per game, 108.4 rushing yards per game, 49 touchdowns, and allowed 28 sacks.
Johari Branch is six foot three and weighs 330 pounds. The 27-year-old from Chicago, Illinois, signed with the D.C. Defenders on March 3, 2025. In 2025, Branch appeared in 10 games, of which three were starts playing left guard, right guard, and center.
D.C. averaged 22.5 points per game, 98.9 rushing yards per game, 252.1 passing yards per game, 351 yards per game, and 27 touchdowns. The Defenders went on to win their first UFL Championship over the Michigan Panthers 58-34. The Defenders re-signed Branch on October 2, 2025.
The Los Angeles Chargers signed Branch as an undrafted free agent on May 12, 2023. In 2023, he played three preseason games. The Chargers released him on August 29, 2023.
The Massachusetts Pirates (IFL) signed Branch on May 17, 2024. In 2024, Branch played seven games. Massachusetts averaged 41.26 points per game, 84.4 rushing yards per game, 135.37 passing yards per game, 219.8 total yards per game, 108 touchdowns, and allowed 11 sacks, finishing 10-9 for the season and appearing in the IFL National Championship Game against the Arizona Rattlers. Branch was named to the IFL All-Rookie Team and All-IFL Second Team.
Collegiately, Branch played two seasons at Eastern Illinois (2017-18), playing left guard in 10 games. In 2018, Eastern Illinois averaged 32.5 points per game, 136.5 rushing yards per game, 309.3 passing yards per game, 445.7 total yards per game, 44 touchdowns, and allowed 22 sacks, finishing 3-8 for the season.
Next, he transferred to Independence Community College in 2019, playing left guard in four games. Independence averaged 38.1 points per game, 251.3 rushing yards per game, 175.1 passing yards per game, 426.4 total yards per game, 45 touchdowns, and allowed 16 sacks, finishing 8-2 for the season and winning the Jayhawk Championship.
Then, he transferred to Maryland (2020-22), playing left guard and right guard in 30 games for the Terrapins. In 2022, Maryland averaged 28.15 points per game, 141.3 rushing yards per game, 259.85 passing yards per game, 401.2 total yards per game, 44 touchdowns, and allowed 43 sacks, finishing 8-5 for the season, beating N.C. State in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl.
Brandon Smith is six foot three and weighs 240 pounds. The 24-year-old from Louisa, Virginia, signed with the Dallas Renegades on October 8, 2025.
The Carolina Panthers drafted Smith in the fourth round (120th pick) in the 2022 NFL Draft. He also spent time with the Philadelphia Eagles, New York Jets, and the Las Vegas Raiders. Smith made nine tackles (6 solos, 3 assists) in 14 regular-season games.
Collegiately, Smith played three seasons at Penn State (2019-21) with 132 tackles (68 solos, 64 assists), 19 tackles for loss, four sacks, seven pass breakups, one interception, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery in 34 games for the Nittany Lions. Smith was named Third Team All-Big Ten.
