The Michigan Panthers have signed WR Terry Wright on Tuesday. The Panthers have also waived 3 players over the last 2 days. On Tuesday they waived defensive end Mika Tafua. On Monday the Panthers waived receivers Gavin Holmes and John Hightower.
WR Terry Wright – Purdue (26 y/o, 5’10, 177 lbs)
Terry Wright was previously drafted by the Panthers in the UFL Dispersal Draft although was removed from the roster on February 26. He did not report to camp due to personal reasons and is now signing again with the team.
Wright played in 7 games with the Philadelphia Stars last season over which time he caught 13 passes for 142 yards and 2 touchdowns. He also returned 24 kickoffs for an average of 31.6 yards per return.
He signed with the Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted free agent in 2019 and subsequently spent time on their practice squad as well as with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Miami Dolphins that season.
Wright played for Purdue in 2017 and 2018 where he appeared in 24 games and recorded 57 catches for 764 yards and 5 touchdowns.
Waived: DE Mika Tafua – Utah (6’3, 250 lbs, 27 y/o)
The Panthers waived Defensive end Mika Tafua on Tuesday. Tafua played in 7 games with the Panthers this season recording 3 solo tackles and an assisted tackle. Per Pro Football Focus, Tafua had 3 QB hits and 7 additional QB hurries. Currently, he has the 12th-highest defensive grade by PFF among defensive ends in the UFL this season.
Tafua played for Utah in college from 2018 to 2021. He played in 44 games with 38 starts with Utah contributing 73 solo tackles, 59 assisted tackles, 32 tackles for a loss, 17.5 sacks, 9 passes defended, and 3 forced fumbles.
He signed with the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in 2022 where he spent much of the year on the practice squad. He had 3 total tackles and a sack in the preseason. He also had a stint on the Pittsburgh Steelers to close out the 2022 season.
Waived: WR Gavin Holmes – Baylor (5’10, 200 lbs, 25 y/o)
Gavin Holmes joined the Michigan Panthers ahead of week 5. He contributed on special teams returning 7 kickoffs with the Panthers for an average of 23.6 yards per return. He also returned 2 punts for an average of 12 yards per return.
Holmes played for Baylor from 2017 to 2022 where he appeared in 31 games with 18 starts. He recorded 72 receptions for 927 yards and 7 touchdowns over his collegiate career. He returned 6 kickoffs with the program for an average of 15.5 yards per return and also returned 12 punts for an average of 12.25 yards per return. He had a punt return touchdown in 2022.
He signed with the Tennessee Titans as an undrafted free agent in 2023 and caught 2 passes for 19 yards in the preseason. He was waived by the Titans in late August.
Waived: WR John Hightower – Boise State (27 y/o, 6’2, 190 lbs)
John Hightower was acquired by the Michigan Panthers shortly after he was released by the DC Defenders in training camp in March.
He was a 5th-round draft pick by the Philadelphia Eagles in 2020. From 2020 to 2021 he played in 14 games with 4 starts for the Eagles over which span he caught 10 passes for 167 yards.
Hightower was waived ahead of the 2022 season by the Eagles and spent most of the season on the LA Chargers’ practice squad. He was waived by the Chargers during final roster cuts ahead of the 2023 season.
Hightower played for Boise State in 2018 and 2019 appearing in 24 games. He caught 82 passes for 1,447 yards and 14 touchdowns with the program. He also returned 36 kickoffs for 23.33 yards per return and had a kick return touchdown in 2019.
