The D.C. Defenders signed wide receiver Ja’Khi Douglas, kicker Matt McCrane, and punter Paxton Brooks on Tuesday according to the UFL Transactions page.
Ja’Khi Douglas is five foot nine and weighs 195 pounds. A native of Houma, Louisiana, Douglas attended the New York Giants rookie minicamp in 2025.
Collegiately, Douglas spent five seasons at Florida State University (2020-24) with 77 catches for 1,256 yards, nine touchdowns, 27 carries for 87 yards, 14 kick returns for 254 yards, eight tackles (3 solos, 5 assists), and one fumble recovery in 49 games for the Seminoles.
Matt McCrane is five foot ten and weighs 167 pounds. The 31-year-old from Brownwood, Texas, re-signed with the Defenders on December 2, 2024. In 2025, McCrane made 14 of 20 field goals (70%), with a long of 53 yards, 48 kickoffs for 3,094 yards (64.5 AVG), and eight touchbacks in 10 games.
In the playoffs, McCrane made 5 of 5 field goals (100%), with a long of 41 yards, 19 kickoffs for 1,222 yards (64.2 AVG), and one touchback, helping the Defenders win the UFL Championship over the Michigan Panthers.
McCrane signed with the Arizona Cardinals as an undrafted free agent on April 30, 2018. He was released on September 1, 2018. McCrane also spent time with the Oakland Raiders, Pittsburgh Steelers, Cleveland Browns, and Philadelphia Eagles. He made 8 of 12 field goals (66.7%) with a long of 47 yards, and 21 kickoffs for 1,250 yards (59.5 AVG) in five games.
In 2020, McCrane played for the New York Guardians (XFL), making 8 of 8 field goals (100%) with a long of 53 yards in five games before the XFL canceled the 2020 season due to COVID-19. McCrane signed with the D.C. Defenders on January 17, 2023. He made 12 of 16 field goals (75%) with a long of 50 yards in 10 games.
The Defenders re-signed McCrane on January 22, 2024. In 2024, he made 16 of 20 field goals (80%) with a long of 58 yards, and seven kickoffs for 469 yards (67.0 AVG), with a long of 64 yards in 10 games.
The Defenders released McCrane on September 17, 2024, and he signed with the Detroit Lions on September 18, 2024. He spent several weeks on the practice squad but was released on October 7, 2024.
Collegiately, McCrane played four seasons at Kansas State (2014-17), making 57 of 66 field goals (86.4%) with a long of 54 yards, 133 of 134 extra points (99.3%), 98 kickoffs for 5,884 yards (60.0%), and 44 touchbacks in 38 games for the Wildcats. He was named First Team All-Big 12 in 2017, Honorable Mention All-American by Sports Illustrated in 2014, Honorable Mention All-Big 12 in 2014, and a Lou Groza Award Semifinalist in 2017.
Paxton Brooks is six foot six and weighs 199 pounds. The 25-year-old from Lexington, South Carolina, re-signed with the Defenders on October 10, 2024. In 2025, Brooks punted the ball 39 times for 1,645 yards (42.2 AVG) with a long of 56 yards, and 11 from the 20-yard line in 10 games. In the playoffs, he punted the ball one time for 46 yards and one from inside the 20-yard line.
The D.C. Defenders signed Brooks on October 18, 2023. In 2024, Brooks punted the ball 32 times for 1,395 yards (43.6 AVG), with a long of 56 yards, four touchbacks, eight punts from inside the 20-yard line, 44 kickoffs for 2,969 yards (67.5 AVG), with a long of 80 yards, and four touchbacks in 10 games, finishing fifth in the league in punting yards.
Collegiately, Brooks played five seasons at Tennessee (2018-22) punting the ball 163 times for 6,900 yards (42.3 AVG), with a long of 64 yards, 10 touchbacks, 68 fair catches, 58 punts from inside the 20-yard line, 32 from 50-plus yards, completed 2 of 3 passes (67%) for 33 yards, 258 kickoffs for 15,604 yards (60.5 AVG), 126 touchbacks, and three tackles (3 solo) in 61 games for the Volunteers. He was named First Team All-American by CoSIDA in 2021.
The Defenders released the following players on Tuesday. Wide receiver Grant Dubose, offensive linemen Josh Bell and Nicholas Petit-Frere, defensive linemen Davin Bellamy, Kyle Phillips, Niles Scott, and Desmond Watson, and defensive back Kai Nacua.
