For the second straight yr, the Detroit Lions may very well be looking for reinforcements from their native UFL group. In keeping with UFL analysts Mike Del Negro, the Lions are understanding Michigan Panthers working again Toa Taua. The information was kind of confirmed by Taua himself, reposting the information on his Instagram with the caption:
“S/o God! All we wanted was an opp”
Taua was a key participant on the Panthers offense final yr, serving to the group attain the finals, the place they finally misplaced to the DC Defenders. Taua completed the season sixth in dashing yards (357) and led the league in dashing touchdowns with six—all in simply seven video games. His 4.4 yards per carry ranked third within the league.
Listed at 5-foot-8, 208 kilos, Taua is brief, stocky, and actually powerful to carry down. Again in school, from 2018-22, Taua led the Nevada Wolf Pack in dashing for 5 straight seasons. His finest yr was his tremendous senior season, through which he rushed for 911 yards (4.2 YPC) and 11 touchdowns, together with one other 41 catches for 295 yards and one other rating.
If the Lions do find yourself signing Taua, he’ll have a troublesome time cracking the 53-man roster. Detroit is probably going set with their high 4 working backs in Jahmyr Gibbs, David Montgomery, Craig Reynolds, and Sione Vaki. Taua should compete with the likes of undrafted rookies Anthony Tyus III and Kye Robichaux to both justify an RB5 spot, or knock one of many top-four down.
That mentioned, if Taua makes a powerful impression in coaching camp, he might theoretically stick round on the observe squad for a yr and compete for a job through the season and into 2026.
As of proper now, the Lions do have an open roster spot in the event that they select to signal Taua. That additional spot opened up after the Lions made Frank Ragnow’s retirement official on Wednesday.
