The Michigan Panthers signed running back Toa Taua, while releasing linebacker De’Gabriel Floyd and placed running back Wes Hills on the injured reserve list on Monday according to the UFL Transactions page.
Toa Taua is five foot nine and weighs 218 pounds. A native of Lompoc, California, Taua attended the Philadelphia Eagles rookie minicamp in 2023 before signing with the Michigan Panthers on May 24, 2023, and appeared in one game for the Panthers in 2023. The Panthers released Taua on March 23, 2024.
Collegiately, Taua played five seasons at Nevada (2018-22) with 855 carries for 3,997 yards, 33 touchdowns, completed 6 of 8 passes (75%) for 96 yards, one touchdown, 163 catches for 1,190 yards, four touchdowns, 10 kick returns for 206 yards, and one tackle (1 solo) in 59 games for the Wolf Pack.
Taua was named the Mountain West Freshman Player of the Year in 2018, a two-time Mountain West Honorable Mention (2019, 2022), and Second Team All-Mountain West Conference in 2022.
De’Gabriel Floyd is six foot three and weighs 235 pounds. The 24-year-old from Westlake Village, California, signed with the Michigan Panthers on February 25, 2024. He made one tackle (1 solo) in two games for the Michigan Panthers in 2024.
Collegiately, Floyd began his collegiate career at Texas in 2019 but was forced to retire for medical reasons. He began a comeback in 2022 at Alabama A&M making 16 tackles (6 solo, 10 assists) and one pass breakup in nine games for the Bulldogs.
Next, Floyd transferred to East Los Angeles Community College in 2023 making 37 tackles, 22 solo, 15 assists), one interception, and four pass breakups in nine games for the Huskies. Floyd had initially committed to play at Charlotte before signing a contract with the Panthers.
Wes Hills is six foot two and weighs 218 pounds. The 28-year-old from Wildwood, New Jersey, signed with the Arizona Cardinals as an undrafted free agent in 2019. Later, he signed with the Detroit Lions and was promoted to the active roster playing one game with ten carries for 21 yards, two touchdowns, and two catches for one yard.
After Detroit, Hills signed with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats (CFL) in 2021. He played two seasons in Hamilton with 73 carries for 404 yards, one touchdown, and 11 catches for 105 yards in eight games.
Then, Hills signed with the New Orleans Breakers on February 17, 2023. In 2023, Hills had 180 carries for 679 yards, ten touchdowns, and 38 catches for 278 yards in ten games for the Breakers in 2023. He finished the season as the league’s rushing leader and was named to the All-USFL Team.
The New Orleans Breakers were not included in the USFL and XFL merger forming the United Football League (UFL) and Hills was drafted by the Michigan Panthers in the 2024 UFL Dispersal Draft. In 2024, Hills had 72 carries for 277 yards, five touchdowns, and 12 catches for 59 yards in eight games for the Panthers.
Collegiately, Hills played four seasons at Delaware (2013-16) with 286 carries for 1,849 yards, 14 touchdowns, and ten catches for 67 yards in 32 games for the Fightin’ Blue Hens. He was named Third Team All-CAA in 2016.
Then, Hills transferred to Slippery Rock in 2018 with 246 carries for 1,714 yards, 17 touchdowns, and 28 catches for 193 yards in 12 games for the Rock. He was named First Team All-PSAC West in 2018.
