The D.C. Defenders acquired wide receiver Braylon Sanders from the Houston Gamblers for offensive lineman Gottlieb Ayedze on Friday according to the UFL Transactions page.
Braylon Sanders is six foot one and weighs 190 pounds. The 27-year-old from Hogansville, Georgia, was drafted by the Houston Gamblers in the 2026 UFL Draft.
The Miami Dolphins signed Sanders as an undrafted free agent on May 13, 2022. In 2022, he made four catches for 52 yards and one carry for -3 yards in three preseason games. In the regular season, he made two catches for 17 yards in three games. In 2023, Sanders did not play in the preseason and spent the season on the practice squad.
The Dolphins released him on September 4, 2024. The New England Patriots signed Sanders on October 29, 2024. He spent the season on the practice squad and became a free agent after the 2024 season. He re-signed with the Miami Dolphins on January 15, 2024. In 2024, he made two catches for 17 yards in two preseason games.
The D.C. Defenders signed Sanders on March 5, 2025. In 2025, he made 13 catches for 332 yards and three touchdowns in seven games. In the playoffs, he made four catches for 49 yards, helping the Defenders win the UFL Championship over the Michigan Panthers.
The Defenders released him on August 1, 2025. The Washington Commanders signed Sanders on August 2, 2025. Sanders made two catches for 19 yards in two preseason games. The Commanders released him on August 25, 2025.
Collegiately, Sanders played five seasons at Ole Miss (2017-21) with 69 catches for 1,453 yards, 10 touchdowns, one carry for six yards, three punt returns for 33 yards, and four tackles (2 solos, 2 assists) in 45 games for the Rebels.
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 2026 UFL Regional College Allocation Draft.
The D.C. Defenders drafted Ayedze 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.
