Michigan Panthers Drop 15 Players from Roster, Including Former All-USFL Safety
The Michigan Panthers have made it to the halfway point of training camp, as 15 of their players were waived by the team Sunday to reach the league-mandated 58-man roster.
Here is the full list of players that are no longer with the Panthers:
- DT Damion Daniels
- LB Isaac Darkangelo
- CB Keandre Evans
- TE Nick Guggemos
- WR Lance Lenoir
- QB Brian Lewerke
- S Shalom Luani
- WR Garett Maag
- K Cole Murphy
- OT Denzel Okafor
- S Jamal Perry
- S Cory Rahman
- S Warren Saba
- OT Phil Saleh
- OT LaColby Tucker
The quarterback position for Michigan becomes clearer with former Michigan State signal caller Lewerke waived by the team. This leaves Davis Cheek, Danny Etling and E.J. Perry all in the running for the job.
Lenoir was another key offensive player released. He was a difference-maker for the Panthers in 2022, catching 52 passes for 484 yards and two touchdowns. Last year, he was in the XFL with the Orlando Guardians and hauled in nine receptions for 99 yards.
Today, the Michigan Panthers set their roster to 58 players, as they prepare for the upcoming inaugural UFL season. pic.twitter.com/0ZF026s3KJ
— UFL Communications Department (@UFL_PR) March 10, 2024
Michigan’s secondary had two safeties who are not on the team anymore who could be targets for the other seven UFL teams. Former All-USFL selection Luani and Panthers starter Saba were part of the releases. Luani has played the past two years with the New Jersey Generals, making 76 tackles and six interceptions in the USFL, while Saba contributed 31 tackles and two interceptions last season for Michigan.
An especially surprising release was that of Murphy, who held the position of kicker for Michigan the past two seasons. Murphy made 83.3 percent of his career USFL field goals, converting 25 of 30 kicks. Former Arkansas kicker Jake Bates is the only remaining kicker on the roster.
UFL teams will have to make their final roster cutdowns by March 23.
Michigan Panthers Get Early Start to Roster Cuts, Waive Former Washington Commanders Safety
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Anthony Miller has been covering professional spring football since 2019 including XFL, USFL, and CFL. He was a local news reporter in Texas before transitioning to sports. Other sites he writes for includes College Football Network and NTZ Network.