The Houston Gamblers acquired wide receiver JaVonta Payton from the Louisville Kings for defensive end Lonnie Phelps on Monday according to the UFL Transactions page.
JaVonta Payton is six foot one and weighs 180 pounds. The 27-year-old from Nashville, Tennessee, was drafted by the Louisville Kings in the 2026 UFL Regional Allocation Draft. IN 2026, he made seven catches for 80 yards in three games.
The Arizona Cardinals signed Payton as an undrafted free agent on May 13, 2022. He played three preseason games, making one catch for nine yards against the Tennessee Titans.
Next, Payton signed with the Orlando Guardians on January 20, 2023. He played three games for the Guardians, making three catches for 47 yards before being traded to the Arlington Renegades.
In Arlington, Payton made eight catches for 117 yards in six games, helping Arlington win the 2023 XFL Championship over the D.C. Defenders. In 2024, Payton made 23 catches for 379 yards, five touchdowns, five carries for 34 yards, and one touchdown in nine games before he missed the last game due to an injury.
The Arlington Renegades signed Payton on January 24, 2025. In 2025, he made 22 catches for 230 yards, one touchdown, four carries for 53 yards, and one rushing touchdown in 10 games. The Dallas Renegades had re-signed him on October 6, 2025.
Collegiately, Payton played two seasons at Northwest Mississippi Community College (2017-18) with 67 catches for 840 yards, 11 touchdowns, one carry for 12 yards, and one tackle (1 solo) in 21 games for the Rangers.
Next, Payton transferred to Mississippi State (2019-20) with 28 catches for 372 yards, one touchdown, one carry for 11 yards, 10 kick returns for 203 yards, and 20 tackles (13 solos, 7 assists) in 22 games for the Bulldogs.
Then, Payton transferred to Tennessee in 2021 with 18 catches for 413 yards, six touchdowns, and one carry for -2 yards in 13 games for the Volunteers.
Lonnie Phelps is six foot two and weighs 247 pounds. The 25-year-old from Cincinnati, Ohio, was drafted by the Houston Gamblers in the 2026 UFL Draft. He attended training camp before the team released him on March 19, 2026. The Gamblers re-signed Phelps on March 31, 2026. In 2026, he made two tackles (1 solo, 1 assist) and one tackle for loss in three games.
The Cleveland Browns signed Phelps as an undrafted free agent on May 12, 2023. In 2023, he made nine tackles (6 solos, 3 assists), one sack, and three pass breakups in four preseason games. He spent the season on the practice squad. The Browns released him on June 20, 2024.
The San Antonio Brahmas signed Phelps on February 22, 2025. In 2025, he made 13 tackles (9 solos, 4 assists), four tackles for loss, two sacks, and one forced fumble in seven games. The Brahmas released him on May 13, 2025. The Houston Roughnecks signed Phelps to the practice squad on May 27, 2025.
Collegiately, Phelps played three seasons at Miami (OH) (2019-21) with 57 tackles (38 solos, 19 assists), 20 tackles for loss, 16 sacks, two forced fumbles, one forced fumble, one blocked kick, one punt return for 53 yards, and one touchdown in 30 games for the Redhawks. He was named Third Team All-MAC.
Then, he transferred to Kansas in 2022 with 57 tackles (45 solos, 12 assists), 11.5 tackles for loss, seven sacks, one pass breakup, and one forced fumble in 13 games for the Jayhawks. He was named Second Team All-Big 12.
