The Michigan Panthers re-signed quarterback E.J. Perry, running back Toa Taua, wide receiver Devin Ross, tight end Gunnar Oakes, offensive linemen Noah Johnson and Ryan Nelson, and long snapper Jordan Ober on Friday according to the UFL Transactions page.
E.J. Perry is six foot two and weighs 210 pounds. The 25-year-old from Andover, Massachusetts, completed 55 of 89 passes (61.8%) for 664 yards, two touchdowns, three interceptions, 23 carries for 143 yards, and two touchdowns in four games.
Perry signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars as an undrafted free agent in 2022. The Houston Texans would later claim him off waivers before he was eventually released on May 11, 2023.
The Michigan Panthers signed Perry as a free agent on May 30, 2023. He completed 12 of 23 passes (52.2%) for 121 yards, ten carries for 48 yards, and one touchdown in one game for the Panthers in 2023.
In the North Division Finals, Perry completed 23 of 38 passes (60.5%) for 370 yards, two touchdowns, one interception, seven carries for 22 yards, and one touchdown against the Pittsburgh Maulers. After the season, Perry signed with the Houston Texans. He played one preseason game completing 7 of 12 passes (58.3%) for 58 yards, and two carries for -3 yards.
Perry initially re-signed with the Panthers on December 19, 2023, but was released a day later to sign an NFL contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars and was placed on the practice squad. He returned to the Panthers on January 21, 2024.
Collegiately, Perry played two seasons at Boston College (2017-18) completing 27 of 39 passes (69%) for 277 yards, two touchdowns, 20 carries for 70 yards, and one touchdown in 20 games for the Eagles.
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. He re-signed with the Panthers on May 21, 2024. In 2024, Taua had 8 carries for 26 yards in one game.
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.
Devin Ross is five foot nine and weighs 196 pounds. The 28-year-old from Los Angeles, California, made three catches for 58 yards in two games for the Michigan Panthers in 2024 before an injury sidelined him for the rest of the season.
Ross signed with the Tennessee Titans as an undrafted free agent in 2018. He caught six passes for 80 yards in three preseason games for the Titans in 2018. In 2021, Ross signed with the New England Patriots.
The Panthers drafted Ross in the eighth round (338th pick) of the 2022 USFL Draft. He caught 28 passes for 309 yards, one touchdown, and one carry for eight yards in nine games. In 2023, Ross played three games for the Panthers targeted one time before an injury sidelined him for the rest of the season. He also spent time on the Las Vegas Raiders practice squad.
Collegiately, Ross played five seasons at Colorado (2013-17) with 143 catches for 1,643 yards, nine touchdowns, seven carries for 34 yards, and five kick returns for 107 yards in 49 games for the Buffaloes.
Gunner Oakes is six foot five and weighs 256 pounds. The 25-year-old from Swanton, Ohio, attended the Atlanta Falcons rookie mini-camp in 2023. The Michigan Panthers drafted Oakes in the seventh round (48th pick) in the 2023 USFL Draft. He did not play for the Panthers in 2023. In 2024, Oakes made three catches for 36 yards in 10 games.
Collegiately, Oakes played five seasons at Eastern Michigan (2018-22) with 56 catches for 621 yards and two touchdowns in 49 games for the Eagles. In 2022, he set career highs in games played (12), receptions (27), and receiving yards (279).
Noah Johnson is six foot one and weighs 290 pounds. The 26-year-old from Lee’s Summit, Missouri, started ten games for the Panthers in 2024. In 2024, he played 10 games, of which 9 were starts. Michigan’s offense was ranked third in total yards (3,007), second in rushing yards (1,252), sixth in passing yards (1,755), third in yards per game (300.7), and tied third in touchdowns (27).
The Michigan Panthers signed Johnson in 2023 and started 10 games that season. In 2023, the Panthers ranked third in passing yards per game (181.4), sixth in yards per game (267.1), and seventh in rushing yards per game (85.7).
Collegiately, Johnson played two seasons at Butler Community College (2016-17) playing eight games for the Grizzlies. Butler’s offense averaged 167 rushing yards a game and 22 touchdowns in 2017. He was named 2017 KJCCC First Team All-Conference honors.
Then, Johnson transferred to Kansas State (2019-21) allowing two sacks and helped Kansas State tie for second in Big XII with 29 rushing touchdowns, and the Wildcats averaged 4.83 yards per rush during the 2021 season. Johnson was named an All-Big 12 Honorable Mention.
In 2020, Johnson helped the Wildcats tie for first in the Big XII and 27th nationally in sacks allowed (14). The Wildcats led the conference and ranked fourth in the nation in the red zone offense (93.9%). He was named Second Team All-Big 12.
Ryan Nelson is six foot six and weighs 325 pounds. The 25-year-old from Buena Park, California, started 10 games for the Michigan Panthers in 2024.
In 2024, he played 10 games, of which 9 were starts. Michigan’s offense was ranked third in total yards (3,007), second in rushing yards (1,252), sixth in passing yards (1,755), third in yards per game (300.7), and tied third in touchdowns (27).
The Michigan Panthers signed Nelson in 2023 and played 8 games, of which two were starts that season. In 2023, the Panthers ranked third in passing yards per game (181.4), sixth in yards per game (267.1), and seventh in rushing yards per game (85.7).
Collegiately, Nelson played five seasons at the University of Virginia (2017-21) playing both tackle and guard in 49 games for the Cavaliers. In 2021, Virginia finished third in the country in total offense at 515.8 yards per game and ranked second nationally in passing offense (392.6). Both were UVA’s single-season records. Nelson was named Fourth Team All-ACC by Phil Steele.
Jordan Ober is six foot one and weighs 225 pounds. The 27-year-old from Las Vegas, Nevada, played 10 games for the Panthers in 2024. Ober helped kicker Jake Bates make 17 of 22 field goals (77.3%) with a long of 61 yards in ten games on his way to being named to the All-UFL Team. The Panthers drafted Ober in the 2024 UFL Dispersal Draft.
The New Jersey Generals signed Ober as a free agent on February 11, 2023. He played 10 games for the Generals in 2023. Collegiately, Ober played four seasons at Nebraska (2015-18) playing 48 games for the Cornhuskers. He was named Third Team All-Big 10 by Phil Steele in 2017.
