Recapping the 10 players drafted by the Michigan Panthers in the 2024 UFL Draft. The draft saw 80 players selected by the 8 UFL teams selecting prospects coming out of college. The Panthers focused on the offensive line having selected 4 offensive linemen. Out of the 10 draft selections, 9 are currently signed to NFL teams. Two of the players selected are Michigan State alumni.
Round 1, Pick 6: OT Julian Pearl – Illinois (6’6, 313 lbs)
Julian Pearl played in 47 games over his career with Illinois with 35 starts. He started in all 23 games he played in over the last 2 seasons at left tackle and was an All-Big Ten Honorable Mention by coaches and media in both seasons. He is currently a player in the Baltimore Ravens organization having been signed as an undrafted free agent in May.
Round 2, Pick 14: CB Dwight McGlothern – Arkansas (6’2, 185 lbs)
Dwight McGlothern is another prospect currently tied to an NFL organization as he signed with the Minnesota Vikings in May as an undrafted free agent. He played in 22 games with 19 starts for Arkansas in 2022 and 2023 which saw him lead the team in interceptions in both seasons. He recorded 62 solo tackles, 10 assisted tackles, 4 tackles for a loss, 23 passes defended, 7 interceptions, and 3 forced fumbles with the program. In 2022 he was recognized by SEC coaches by being named Second Team All-SEC.
Prior to playing for Arkansas McGlothern played for LSU in 2020 and 2021 where he played in 16 games with 6 starts. At LSU he recorded 41 total tackles, 2 tackles for a loss, 8 passes defended, an interception, and a touchdown.
Round 3, Pick 22: DE Isaac Ukwu – Ole Miss (6’3, 258 lbs)
Isaac Ukwu is currently with the Detroit Lions having signed with the team as an undrafted free agent in May. He started his career with James Madison where he played in 28 games with 25 starts. He recorded 27.5 tackles for a loss and 16.5 sacks with the program and was named First Team All-Sun Belt in 2022.
Ukwu played his final season with Ole Miss in 2023 where he played in 13 games with 5 starts. He recorded 30 total tackles, 4.5 tackles for a loss, and 3.5 sacks in his final season.
Round 4, Pick 30: OT Brian Dooley – Eastern Michigan
Brian Dooley is currently with the Tennessee Titans having signed as an undrafted free agent in May. He played in 60 games with 58 starts for Eastern Michigan. He was Second Team All-MAC in 2023 and in 2022 and was Third Team All-MAC in 2021. He holds the record for most games played and started in the program. He allowed quarterback pressures on just 4 percent of his snaps over his career.
Round 5, Pick 38: QB Rocky Lombardi – Northern Illinois (6’4, 225 lbs)
Rocky Lombardi is currently with the Cincinnati Bengals having signed with the team as an undrafted free agent in May. He started his collegiate career with Michigan State where he played in 22 games with 9 starts. With MSU he completed 159 of his 332 attempts (48%) for 1,902 yards and 11 touchdowns with 14 interceptions. He added 166 rushing yards on 74 rushes.
Lombardi finished his career with Northern Illinois where he played in 30 games with 29 starts. He completed 438 of his 744 attempts (58.8%) for 5,488 yards and 31 touchdowns with 16 interceptions with the program. He went 17-12 as a starter with the Huskies and finished second in career passing yards per game with the program at 183.9.
Round 6, Pick 46: WR Dayton Wade – Ole Miss (5’9, 176 lbs)
Dayton Wade signed with the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent in May. He played his final 2 seasons with Ole Miss where he played in 26 games with 18 starts. He started every game in 2023 and recorded 55 receptions for 830 yards and 4 touchdowns. In 2022 he had 27 catches for 309 yards and 3 touchdowns. He was an All-SEC Honorable Mention by the College Football Network in 2023.
Prior to playing for Ole Miss, Wade played for Western Kentucky. His season ended early in 2021 due to injury. In 2020 he recorded 21 catches for 180 yards over 7 games with 1 start.
Round 7, Pick 54: S Akeem Dent – Florida State (6’1, 191 lbs)
Akeem Dent signed with the Los Angeles Chargers as an undrafted free agent in May. He played in 54 games with 40 starts for Florida State. Over his career, he recorded 106 solo tackles, 79 assisted tackles, 18 pass breakups, 2 forced fumbles, and a sack. He was an Honorable Mention All-ACC in 2023.
Round 8, Pick 62: C Andrew Meyer – UTEP (6’3, 295 lbs)
Andrew Meyer signed with the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent in May. He played in 54 games with 43 starts over his career with UTEP. He was an All-Conference USA Honorable Mention in 2020 and 2022. He started in all but 1 game that he played in for the program since the 2020 season which saw him start in 43 out of 44 games over that span.
Round 9, Pick 70: OL J.D. Duplain – Michigan State (6’4, 305 lbs)
J.D. Duplain played in 54 games and started in 47 games at left guard for Michigan State. He ended his career with a streak of 42 consecutive starts. His 47 starts are 2nd most all-time in program history for an offensive lineman. He was an All-Big Ten Honorable Mention in 2021, 2022 and 2023. Following his collegiate career he was invited to a rookie minicamp with the New York Giants but is not currently signed by an NFL team.
Round 10, Pick 78: S Isaiah Stalbird – South Dakota State (6’1, 215 lbs)
Isaiah Stalbird signed with the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent in May.
He was named to the Missouri Valley Football Conference Honor Roll in 2022 and was 2nd Team All-Conference in 2023. He played in 52 games with the program where he recorded 139 solo tackles, 99 assisted tackles, 18.5 tackles for a loss, 3 sacks, an interception, 18 passes defended, and 5 forced fumbles.
Stalbird started his career with Nebraska where he appeared in 13 games in 2019 and recorded 13 tackles and a blocked punt. He played both safety and linebacker over his collegiate career.
