Ex-MSU stars Lewerke, Willekes make Panthers roster

A week before the start of the inaugural UFL season, the Michigan Panthers set its final 50-man roster for the season.

The Panthers waived eight players Saturday to trim the roster down to 50 for their first season in the United Football League, a merger between the USFL and XFL. The final roster includes former Michigan State standouts Brian Lewerke and Kenny Willekes, as well as other former players with local college ties.

Lewerke was previously cut by the Panthers earlier in training camp, but was resigned earlier this week following the retirement of Davis Cheek. Lewerke is one of three quarterbacks on the roster, along with former LSU QB Danny Etling and former Brown QB E.J. Perry.

Along with Willekes and Lewerke, former Michigan State offensive tackle Jarrett

Horst made the roster, as well as former Eastern Michigan tight end Gunnar Oakes.

Horst, who played at Michigan State from 2021-22 and was the No. 1 overall pick in last year’s USFL draft, is one of six players listed at offensive tackle, while Oakes, who played at EMU from 2018-22, is one of three tight ends for the Panthers. Former Saginaw Valley State running back Nate McCrary, who played for the Cardinals from 2017-19 and then bounced around in the NFL, is one of three tailbacks on the roster.

Willekes signed with the Panthers in December after his time with the Minnesota Vikings in the NFL came to an end. Willekes, who went from a walk-on to All-Big Ten player while at MSU from 2015-19, is one of two edge rushers on the roster, along with James Madison alum Ron’Dell Carter.

The final eight players that were trimmed from the practice squad roster were linebacker Jerod Fernandez (N.C. State), defensive end Vantrel McMillan (Tennessee-Chattanooga), defensive tackle Jamal Milan (Illinois), wide receiver Samson Nacua (BYU), linebacker Nasir Player (East Tennessee State), offensive tackle Gene Pryor (Hawaii), running back Toa Taua (Nevada) and cornerback Alex Thomas (Ferris State).

Although Samson Nacua was cut, the Nacua family still has representation on the roster through free safety Kai Nacua. Kai, the older brother of NFL Rookie of the Year and Los Angeles Rams receiver Puka Nacua, is on the roster for the second straight season for the Panthers. Some other contributors returning from last season’s squad include linebacker Frank Ginda and wide receiver Trey Quinn.

The Panthers’ roster will start action next Saturday at Ford Field against the St. Louis Battlehawks. The game is at 4 p.m. and will be televised on Fox. The Panthers will play a 10game regular season in the new UFL league, including five home games at Ford Field.

Season and single-game tickets for the Michigan Panthers 2024 season are available now at TheUFL.com/tickets.