The Michigan Panthers have signed wide receiver John Hightower per the UFL Communications Department on Thursday. They have also brought back tight end Nick Guggemos who was subsequently placed on injured reserve.
WR John Hightower – Boise State (27 y/o, 6’2, 190 lbs)
John Hightower played his first 2 seasons at Hinds Community College in 2016 and 2017. He caught 31 passes for 509 yards and 7 touchdowns over 18 games with Hinds. He also averaged 22.86 yards per return in 2017 with Hinds.
Hightower played for Boise State in 2018 and 2019 where he played n 24 games. He recorded 82 receptions for 1,447 yards and 14 touchdowns with the program. He also returned 36 kickoffs averaging 23.33 yards per return and scored a kick return touchdown in 2019. He was named All-Mountain West Second Team in 2019 as a wide receiver and kick returner.
Hightower was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the 5th round of the 2020 NFL Draft 168th overall. He played in 13 games for the Eagles in 2020 with 4 starts and caught 10 passes for 167 yards. He spent the majority of the 2021 season on the Eagles’ practice squad and appeared in 1 game.
Hightower was waived ahead of the 2022 season by the Eagles and spent most of the 2022 season on the Los Angeles Chargers’ practice squad. He was waived by the Chargers amid final roster cuts ahead of the 2023 season.
Hightower was signed by UFL’s DC Defenders on February 15. The Defenders released him this past Sunday to get down to 58 players.
TE Nick Guggemos – St. Thomas (MN) (28 y/o, 6’4, 248 lbs)
Nick Guggemos was initially signed by the Panthers on January 19. Guggemos was among the 15 players waived on Sunday as the Panthers cut their roster down to 58 players. He has now been signed back to the Panthers’ roster and placed on injured reserve.
He had a limited playing career in college due to injuries in college but still got some NFL looks due to his athleticism after displaying a 4.49 40-yard dash and 38.5-inch vertical.
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