The D.C. Defenders signed offensive lineman Gunner Britton and defensive end Andre Mintze on Monday, according to the UFL Transactions page.
Gunner Britton is six foot six and weighs 312 pounds. The 26-year-old from Conway, South Carolina, was drafted by the Louisville Kings in the 2026 UFL Draft. The Kings released him on January 31, 2026.
The Buffalo Bills signed Britton as an undrafted free agent on May 10, 2024. In 2024, Britton played three preseason games. The Bills released him on August 27, 2024. The D.C. Defenders signed Britton on February 5, 2025. In 2025, he played ten games, of which one was a start.
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 released him on August 10, 2025, and he signed with the Detroit Lions on the same day. Britton played in two preseason games. The Lions released him on August 26, 2025.
Collegiately, Britton played five seasons at Western Kentucky (2018-22), playing left tackle and right tackle in 52 games for the Hilltoppers. In 2022, Western Kentucky averaged 36.43 points per game, 145.1 rushing yards per game, 352.07 passing yards per game, 497.1 total yards per game, 65 touchdowns, and allowed 14 sacks, finishing 9-5 for the season and winning the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl. He was named Second Team All-Conference USA in 2022 and the Conference USA All-Freshman Team in 2019.
Then, he transferred to Auburn in 2023, playing left guard in 13 games for the Tigers. In 2023, Auburn averaged 351.2 total yards per game, 162.2 passing yards per game, 189 rushing yards per game, 43 touchdowns, and allowed 34 sacks, finishing 6-7 for the season, appearing in the Music City Bowl against Maryland.
Andre Mintze is six foot three and weighs 249 pounds. The 27-year-old from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was protected by the D.C. Defenders in the 2026 UFL Reserve Player List. The Defenders released him on February 16, 2026, and retired on the following day.
Mintze signed with the Denver Broncos as an undrafted free agent on May 1, 2021. He played one season in Denver with four tackles (2 solos, 2 assists) in six games. The Broncos released him on May 12, 2022. The Minnesota Vikings signed Mintze on June 14, 2022.
The Vikings released him on August 16, 2022. The D.C. Defenders drafted Mintze in the second round (12th pick) in Phase 3 of the 2023 XFL Draft.
In 2023, Mintze made 18 tackles (8 solos, 10 assists) and 3.5 sacks in eight games for the D.C. Defenders in 2023. In the playoffs, Mintze made two tackles (2 solos) and one sack, helping them reach the XFL Championship game against the Arlington Renegades.
The Defenders re-signed Mintze on February 8, 2024. In 2024, Mintze made six tackles (4 solos, 2 assists), one tackle for loss, and half a sack in seven games.
Mintze re-signed with the Defenders on October 16, 2024. In 2025, he made 15 tackles (11 solos, 4 assists), six tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries in nine games. In the UFL playoffs, he made six tackles (6 solos), one tackle for loss, and one sack, helping the Defenders win the UFL Championship over the Michigan Panthers.
Collegiately, Mintze played four seasons at Vanderbilt (2017-2020) with 75 tackles (43 solos, 32 assists), 17 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks, one pass breakup, and one fumble recovery in 33 games for the Commodores.
