The D.C. Defenders signed tight end Kole Taylor and released tight end Zack Kuntz on Friday according to the UFL Transactions page.
Kole Taylor is six foot seven and weighs 250 pounds. A native of Grand Junction, Colorado, was drafted by the Orlando Storm in the 2026 UFL Draft. The Orlando Storm released him on January 31, 2026.
The Cincinnati Bengals signed Taylor as an undrafted free agent on May 9, 2025. The Bengals released him on July 31, 2025.
Collegiately, Taylor spent three seasons at LSU (2020-22) with 17 catches for 159 yards and one touchdown in 32 games for the Tigers. Then, he transferred to West Virginia (2023-24) with 78 catches for 892 yards, seven touchdowns, and one tackle (1 assist) in 26 games for the Mountaineers. In 2024, he had a career-high 43 catches for 448 yards and three touchdowns in 13 games.
Zack Kuntz is six foot eight and weighs 251 pounds. The 26-year-old from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, was drafted by the D.C. Defenders in the 2026 UFL Draft. Kuntz signed with the Miami Dolphins on February 6, 2026.
The New York Jets drafted Kuntz in the seventh round (220th pick) of the 2023 NFL Draft. Kuntz spent three seasons in New York with nine catches for 65 yards, one touchdown, and one tackle (1 assist) in 10 preseason games. He also appeared in two regular-season games. The Jets released him on August 24, 2025.
Collegiately, Kuntz spent three seasons at Penn State (2018-20) with three catches for 26 yards in 21 games for the Nittany Lions. He was named a two-time Academic All-Big Ten.
Then, he transferred to Old Dominion (2021-22) with 85 catches for 836 yards, seven touchdowns, and six touchdowns (6 solos) in 18 games for the Monarchs. In 2021, he was named First Team All-Conference USA after finishing the season with 73 catches for 692 yards, five touchdowns, and five tackles (5 solos) in 13 games.
