The Michigan Panthers have signed defensive end Breeland Speaks for the 2025 season on Monday. This move should ensure that the high level of play from the defensive line continues in this coming season for the Panthers. The team has also signed offensive lineman Duro Ajayi.

Speaks was named the UFL’s Defensive Player of the Year following the 2024 season which saw him lead the league in sacks at 9.5 over 10 regular season games. Additionally, he recorded 25 solo tackles and 8 assisted tackles. Per Pro Football Focus he recorded 39 pressures including 12 QB hits over last season’s campaign.

Speaks’ high level of play with the Panthers has drawn NFL interest at multiple times such as him signing with the Jacksonville Jaguars this past August although he was waived near final roster cuts. He spent time through the preseason with the San Fran Cisco 49ers the previous year after dominating for the Panthers in 2023 which saw him record 25 solo tackles and 28 assisted tackles including 9 sacks over 10 games.

Speaks also had an indicator of interest in his skillset recently demonstrated in the CFL’s winter negotiation list reveal which listed his CFL negotiation rights were held by the Toronto Argonauts in December.

Speaks was a 2nd round draft pick with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2018 and played in 16 games for the team as a rookie with 4 starts and recorded 15 solo tackles, 9 assisted tackles, and 1.5 sacks.

The Panthers have also brought on offensive tackle Duro Ajayi who was a starter at the College of New Jersey. He started all but one game at left tackle in his final collegiate season in 2023 and was named 1st Team All-NJAC in 2023 and 2022 and 2nd Team All-NJAC in 2021. Ajayi attended a minicamp with the New York Giants in 2024.

@JonathanClink on X

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Jonathan Clink
Jonathan Clink will work as UFL News Hub's primary correspondent covering the Michigan Panthers for the 2024. He has written over 250 articles covering the Canadian Football League prior to joining UFL News Hub. Clink is originally from Winnipeg, Manitoba and currently lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He has a background in several other sports as well having played soccer, basketball, and hockey competitively.

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