Over the past couple of weeks, the DC Defenders have been re-signing players from this past UFL season. The latest of those is punter Paxton Brooks, who returns to his position on special teams alongside long snapper Trae Berry.
The #UFL has announced the following transactions pic.twitter.com/SDoTtxnnoC
— UFL Communications Department (@UFL_PR) October 10, 2024
Paxton Brooks was an offseason addition for DC – one who was actually a part of the XFL Rookie Draft, back in 2023. The Defenders were in need of a punter, with Daniel Whelan – their All-XFL gem – signing with the Green Bay Packers.
Brooks came into the UFL and performed relatively well. He averaged 43.6 yards per punt this year, which has him at 9th for punters, according to PFF (Birmingham had two punters in 2024). However, Brooks did deal with two punts being blocked this year, as DC’s special teams unit wasn’t always on point.
A great sequence of events on this 52-yard punt by Paxton Brooks.
The DC Coverage Team was able to limit Peezy to just 1 yard on the return and took him down at the 15-yard line.#UFL | @XFLBattlehawks | @XFLDefenders | #BetweenTheGoalposts pic.twitter.com/xtaY4PEwm9
— Between The Goalposts (@NoahBeauso) April 28, 2024
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Additionally, Paxton Brooks made himself useful in the kicking game. He was primarily used on kickoffs, so kicker Matt McCrane could focus solely on field goals. Brooks kicked off 45 times for a total of 3,037 yards – averaging 67.5 yards per kick.
Correction: Paxton Brooks was the kicker for the first Kickoff Touchback in #UFL history. https://t.co/hHQOnIeSzd
— Between The Goalposts (@NoahBeauso) April 14, 2024
Now, Brooks will look to run it back with the Defenders in 2025. General Manager Von Hutchins has been active, and with the release of Matt McCrane from the Lions’ practice squad, the Defenders can return all three of their specialists.
What are your thoughts on Paxton Brooks re-signing with the…