Michigan Panthers Make Final Cuts Bringing Roster Down to 50 Players

The Michigan Panthers have made their final roster cuts trimming the roster down from 58 players to 50 on Saturday. Per the UFL Communications Department, the Michigan Panthers have released CB Alex Thomas, MLB Jerod Fernandez, OLB Nasir Player, DE Vantrel McMillan, DT Jamal Milan, WR Samson Nacua, RB Toa Taua, and OT Gene Pryor. Gene Pryor started every game for the Panthers last season.

CB Alex Thomas – Ferris State (27 y/o, 6’1, 195 lbs)

Alex Thomas was acquired by the Michigan Panthers in Phase 1 of the UFL Dispersal Draft. He played for the New Orleans Breakers last season contributing 14 solo tackles, 2 assisted tackles, and 2 interceptions over 10 games.

Thomas started his collegiate career with Cincinnati from 2014 to 2016 where he played in 21 games recording 27 solo tackles, 20 assisted tackles, and 4 interceptions.

Thomas played for Ferris State in 2019 and 2021 appearing in 24 games. He recorded 35 solo tackles, 12 assisted tackles, 8 interceptions, and a touchdown with the program. The Bull Dogs won the GLIAC in 2019 and made it to the D2 Semifinals. In 2021 they won the National Championship.

MLB Jerod Fernandez – North Carolina State (29 y/o, 6’0, 227 lbs)

Jerod Fernandez was also acquired by the Panthers in Phase 1 of the UFL Dispersal Draft.

Fernandez played for North Carolina State in college appearing in 50 games from 2014 to 2017 after redshirting in 2013. He accumulated 118 solo tackles, 196 assisted tackles, 3 sacks, and 5 interceptions with the program.

Fernandez signed with the Washington Football Team as a UDFA in 2018 although he was waived in early September. In 2019 he spent time in the CFL with the Calgary Stampeders before he joined the Ottawa Redblacks until he was released after the 2021 season.

Fernandez played for the New Orleans Breakers in 2022 and 2023 where he contributed 85 solo tackles, 65 assisted tackles, 2 sacks, and an interception. He started all 10 regular-season games for the Breakers last season.

OLB Nasir Player – East Tennessee State (26 y/o, 6’5, 271 lbs)

Nasir Player was another player acquired by the Michigan Panthers in the first phase of the UFL Dispersal Draft.

Player played for East Tennessee State from 2016 to 2019 where he played in 44 games with 40 starts. He made 97 solo tackles, 85 assisted tackles, 18.5 sacks, an interception, and a touchdown with the program. In 2019 and 2018 he was named to AFCA FCS Coaches’ All-America Second Team.

He signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent in 2020 although he was waived in early August. He played in The Spring League in 2021 before joining the USFL in 2022.

Player played for the Pittsburgh Maulers in 2022 where he made 9 solo tackles, 5 assisted tackles, and a sack. Last season he started all 10 games for the Maulerscontributing 27 solo tackles, 15 assisted tackles, and 3.5 sacks.

DE Vantrel McMillan – Tennessee-Chattanooga (29 y/o, 6’2, 250 lbs)

Vantrel McMillan was acquired by the Michigan Panthers this past offseason in the UFL Super Draft which took place after Phase 1 of the Dispersal Drafts.

Vantrel McMillan played for the Michigan Panthers over the last 2 seasons although he was not protected heading into the UFL Dispersal Drafts requiring him to be reaquired by the team. Over the past 2 seasons, he contributed 0 solo tackles, 7 assisted tackles, and 2.5 sacks. He played in 9 games with 2 starts for the Panthers last season.

He played in the CFL in 2018 appearing in 4 games with the Montreal Alouettes where he recorded 3 tackles. In 2020 he played for the Houston Roughnecks where he played in 4 games recording 4 tackles.

McMillan played for Tennessee-Chattanooga appearing in 33 games with 15 starts from 2014 to 2016 after redshirting in 2013. He accumulated 72 solo tackles, 40 assists, 9.5 sacks, and an interception with the program. He was named First Team All-SoCon in his senior season in 2016.

DT Jamal Milan – Illinois (28 y/o, 6’3, 300 lbs)

Jamal Milan played for Illinois from 2015 to 2019 where he played in 43 games with 32 starts. He recorded 47 solo tackles, 54 assisted tackles, and 2 sacks with the program. He was an All-Big Ten Honorable Mention by the media in 2019.

Milan played in the Spring League in 2021. He joined the Michigan Panthers for the 2023 season where he played in 4 games with 1 start and recorded 4 solo tackles, 7 assisted tackles, and a sack. He added 3 assisted tackles in the Panthers’ playoff game.

WR Samson Nacua – BYU (26 y/o, 6’4, 195 lbs)

Samson Nacua played his first 4 years of collegiate ball with Utah from 2017 to 2020 where he played in 44 games. He caught 82 passes for 1,015 yards and 10 touchdowns with the program.

Nacua played his final season with BYU in 2021 where he played in 13 games with 4 starts accumulating 21 receptions for 329 yards and 3 touchdowns.

He signed with the Indianapolis Colts as an undrafted free agent in 2022 although he was waived in late August. Nacua played for the Pittsburgh Maulers in the USFL in 2023 where he appeared in 2 games with 1 start although he did not record a catch.

RB Toa Taua – Nevada (5’9, 218 lbs)

Toa Taua played in 59 games with 44 starts for Nevada from 2018 to 2022. He accumulated 3,997 rushing yards on 855 carries (4.67 yards per attempt) and 33 rushing touchdowns. He also caught 163 passes for 1,190 yards and 4 receiving touchdowns. He was named All-Mountain West Second Team in 2020 and was an Honorable Mention in 2019 and 2022.

Taua played for the Michigan Panthers in 2023 appearing in 1 game.

OT Gene Pryor – Hawaii (26 y/o, 6’3, 310 lbs)

Gene Pryor played for Hawaii from 2018 to 2021 where he played in 36 games. He had 34 starts at right tackle over his last 3 seasons. He was an All-Mountain West Honorable Mention in 2019.

Pryor signed with the Kansas City Chiefs in May of 2022 as an undrafted free agent although he was waived the following day. He played for the Michigan Panthers in 2023 where he started all 10 regular season games as well as the Panthers’ playoff game.

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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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