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Lions to work out Michigan Panthers standout from UFL playoffs ahead of training camp

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Mike Payton | Last updated Jul 17, 2025 4:00 AM ET

If you followed the Michigan Panthers during the UFL season and especially during the playoffs, you know the name Toa Taua. He was one of the stars of the Panthers' run to the championship game, and his performance in the playoffs was huge. In the USFL Championship game, he found the endzone three times in the Panthers' win over the Birmingham Stallions.

Now Taua will get a chance to continue to play football in Detroit. The Lions will be bringing him in for a workout this week.

RB Toa Taua - who led the #UFL in rushing touchdowns - is working out with the Detroit #Lions. @USFLPanthers >> @Lions pipeline is strong. https://t.co/e1y5UCotHC
— James Larsen (@JamesLarsenPFN) July 17, 2025

As Larsen notes, Taua's performance wasn't limited to the playoffs; he led the entire league in rushing touchdowns with six in seven games.

Tuau has never been on an NFL roster, but he did work with the Philadelphia Eagles during their rookie minicamp in 2023. He was ultimately not signed. He's since spent the last two seasons with the Panthers.

If the Lions do decide to sign Taua for training camp, he'll have an uphill battle to make the 53-man roster, considering how deep the Lions are in that area. But he should get a ton of opportunities, considering Jahmyr Gibbs, David Montgomery, and possibly even Craig Reynolds might not be playing during the preseason. We'll see what happens.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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