The Michigan Panthers released running back Raymond Calais and tight end Nick Guggemos on Thursday according to the UFL Transactions page.
Raymond Calais is five foot nine and weighs 188 pounds. The 26-year-old from Breaux Bridge, Louisiana, was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the seventh round (245th pick) of the 2020 NFL Draft. He spent time on their practice squad before getting signed by the Los Angeles Rams off Tampa Bay’s practice squad. Calais played four regular season games for the Rams in 2020 with four kick returns for 152 yards.
In 2021, he played two preseason games with ten carries for 19 yards but was placed on injured reserve. Despite an injury, Calais received his Super Bowl ring when the Rams defeated the Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl LVI. After the Rams released him on August 20, 2022, Calais signed with the D.C. Defenders on March 14, 2023.
He played one game for the Defenders making one catch for -4 yards and was released on April 5, 2023. Calais signed with the B.C. Lions on April 19, 2023. He attended training camp with the B.C. Lions before he was released on May 17, 2023. Then, Calais signed with the Michigan Panthers on November 6, 2023. However, he was placed on the suspended list and did not play for the Panthers in 2024.
Collegiately, Calais played four seasons at Louisiana at Lafayette (2016-19) with 236 carries for 1,845 yards, 15 touchdowns, 17 catches for 145 yards, one touchdown, 99 kick returns for 2,493 yards, and two touchdowns in 49 games for the Ragin’ Cajuns.
In his final season, Calais had 117 carries for 886 yards, six touchdowns, ten catches for 67 yards, one touchdown, and 19 kick returns for 541 yards in 14 games in 2019.
He was named First Team All-Sun Belt Conference (Return Specialist), Third Team All-Sun Belt Conference (Running Back), Third Team All-Sun Belt Conference (All-Purpose), and All-Louisiana Second Team (Return Specialist).
Nick Guggemos is six foot five and weighs 231 pounds. The 28-year-old from Eden Prairie, Minnesota, signed with the Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted free agent in 2021. He also spent time with the Washington Commanders, Cleveland Browns, and Green Bay Packers. Next, Guggemos attended the Buffalo Bills training camp in 2023 but did not play in the preseason.
Then, Guggemos signed with the Michigan Panthers on January 21, 2024. He was released by the Panthers on March 10, 2024, and later re-signed on March 14, 2024. He did not play a game for the Panthers in 2024.
Collegiately, Guggemos played five seasons at St. Thomas University (2014-18) making one catch for eight yards in one game for the Tommies.
