One week before the UFL's inaugural season begins, the Michigan Panthers have set their final 50-man roster for the season.
The Panthers waived eight players on Saturday, reducing their roster to 50 players for the inaugural season of the United Football League, which merged with the USFL and XFL. The final roster includes former Michigan State standouts Brian Lewark and Kenny Willeks, as well as other former players with ties to local schools.
Lewarke was previously signed by the Panthers early in training camp, but was re-signed earlier this week following the retirement of Davis-Cheek. Lework is one of three QBs on the roster, along with former LSU QB Danny Etling and former Brown QB EJ Perry.
In addition to Willekes and Lework, the roster also includes former Michigan State offensive tackle Jarrett Horst and former Eastern Michigan tight end Gunnar Oakes.
Horst, who played at Michigan State University from 2021-2022 and was the No. 1 overall pick in last year's USFL Draft, is one of six players listed at offensive tackle and a 22-year-old from 2018 to 22. Oakes, who played at EMU until 2016, is one of them. Three tight ends for the Panthers. Former Saginaw Valley State running back Nate McCrary, who played for the Cardinals from 2017 to 2019 before starring in the NFL, is one of three tailbacks on the roster.
Willeeks signed with the Panthers in December after his NFL stint with the Minnesota Vikings ended. Willeks, who went from failing grade to All-Big Ten player while at MSU from 2015 to 2019, is one of only two edge rushers on the roster, along with James Madison graduate Rondell Carter. One of them.
The final eight players removed from the practice squad roster are linebacker Jerod Fernandez (North Carolina State), defensive end Vantrell McMillan (Tennessee Chattanooga), defensive tackle Jamal Millan (Illinois) and wide receiver. Samson Nacua (BYU), linebacker Nasir Player. (East Tennessee State), offensive tackle Gene Pryor (Hawaii), running back Toa Taua (Nevada State) and cornerback Alex Thomas (Ferris State).
Samson Nacua was waived, but the Nacua family is still on the roster through free safety Kai Nacua. Kai, the older brother of NFL Rookie of the Year and Los Angeles Rams receiver Puka Nacua, is on the Panthers' roster for the second year in a row. Other contributors returning from last season's team include linebacker Frank Ginda and wide receiver Trey Quinn.
The Panthers roster begins play next Saturday against the St. Louis BattleHawks at Ford Field. The game will be broadcast on FOX starting at 4 p.m. The Panthers will play a 10-game regular season in the new UFL league, including five home games at Ford Field.
Michigan Panthers season tickets and single-game tickets for the 2024 season are available now at TheUFL.com/tickets.
