The D.C. Defenders signed wide receiver Jacob Copeland, defensive tackle Devonnsha Maxwell, linebacker Shayne Simon, and defensive backs Tayler Hawkins and Willie Drew Jr. on Wednesday according to the UFL Transactions page.
Jacob Copeland is five foot eleven and weighs 201 pounds. The 25-year-old from Pensacola, Florida, signed with the Tennessee Titans as an undrafted free agent on May 12, 2023. The Titans released him on August 2, 2023.
The Minnesota Vikings signed Copeland on August 7, 2023. In 2023, he made one catch for 18 yards, and one kick return for 17 yards in three preseason games. The Vikings released him on August 29, 2023, and he signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers on September 12, 2023. He spent most of the season on the practice squad. The Steelers released him on December 4, 2023.
The Kansas City Chiefs signed Copeland on January 10, 2024. The Chiefs released him on May 6, 2024, and he re-signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers on June 21, 2024. In 2024, Copeland appeared in two preseason games and was targeted one time. The Steelers released him on August 26, 2024.
Collegiately, Copeland played four seasons at Florida (2018-21) making 86 catches for 1,366 yards, 9 touchdowns, 8 carries for 65 yards, two kick returns for 43 yards, and two tackles (1 solo, 1 assist) in 40 games for the Gators. Then, he transferred to Maryland in 2022 making 26 catches for 376 yards, two touchdowns, one carry for -1 yard, 8 kick returns for 128 yards, and one tackle (1 solo) in 12 games for the Terrapins.
Devonnsha Maxwell is six foot two and weighs 297 pounds. The 25-year-old from Valdosta, Georgia, signed with the Cincinnati Bengals as an undrafted free agent on May 12, 2023. In 2023, Maxwell injured his right knee and missed the season. In 2024, he appeared in one preseason game. The Bengals released him on August 19, 2024.
Collegiately, Maxwell played five seasons at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (2018-22) making 163 tackles (92 solos, 71 assists), 45.5 tackles for loss, 28 sacks, four forced fumbles, and one blocked kick in 42 games for the Mocs. He was named a three-time All-American, four-time First Team All-SoCon, Freshman All-American, Sophomore All-American, and the SoCon Defensive Player of the Year.
Shayne Simon is six foot three and weighs 235 pounds. The 24-year-old from West Orange, New Jersey, signed with the Buffalo Bills as an undrafted free agent on June 4, 2024. In 2024, Simon made three tackles (3 solos) in two preseason games. The Bills released him on August 26, 2024.
Collegiately, Simon played four seasons at Notre Dame (2018-21) making 27 tackles (13 solos, 14 assists), three tackles for loss, and five pass breakups in 31 games, of which eight were starts for the Fighting Irish.
Then, Simon transferred to Pittsburgh (2022-23) making 94 tackles (52 solos, 42 assists), 13 tackles for loss, seven sacks, eight pass breakups, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery in 25 games for the Panthers.
Tayler Hawkins is six foot one and weighs 205 pounds. The 26-year-old from Palm Springs, California, signed with the San Francisco 49ers as an undrafted free agent on May 13, 2022. In 2022, he made seven tackles (5 solos, 2 assists) and one pass breakup in three preseason games. He spent the season on the practice squad.
In 2023, Hawkins made nine tackles (7 solos, 2 assists) and one pass breakup in three preseason games. He played in one regular season game against the Los Angeles Rams making four tackles (3 solos, 1 assist), and one pass breakup. In 2024, he made five tackles (5 solos) in two preseason games. The 49ers released him on September 2, 2024.
Collegiately, Hawkins played five seasons at San Diego State (2017-21) making 170 tackles (112 solos, 58 assists), five tackles for loss, 24 pass breakups, three interceptions, and one forced fumble in 57 games, of which 31 were starts for the Aztecs. He was named an All-Mountain West Honorable Mention in 2020 and Second Team All-Mountain West in 2021.
Willie Drew Jr. is six foot and weighs 185 pounds. The 24-year-old from Smithfield, Virginia, signed with the Carolina Panthers as an undrafted free agent on May 10, 2024. In 2024, Drew Jr. played two preseason games recording no stats.
The Panthers released him on August 27, 2024. The Toronto Argonauts signed Drew Jr. on September 23, 2024, and spent the season on the practice squad. The Argonauts released him on November 18, 2024.
Collegiately, Drew Jr. played two seasons at James Madison University (2018-19) making 9 tackles (5 solo, 4 assists) and two pass breakups in 11 games for the Dukes. Then, Drew Jr. transferred to Virginia State (2021-23) making 99 tackles (74 solo, 25 assists), 5.5 tackles for loss, 11 interceptions for 54 yards, one touchdown, 39 pass breakups, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, and one kick return for nine yards in 28 games for the Trojans. He was named First Team All-CIAA, First Team All-American, and the CIAA Defensive Player of the Year.
