The Michigan Panthers made a couple of big free agent additions yesterday. They’ve added QB Rocky Lombardi – one of their UFL College Draft picks – alongside LB Donavan Mutin.
QB Rocky Lombardi
Breaking: The Michigan Panthers have signed QB Rocky Lombardi, one of their #UFL College Draft Picks.
Lombardi played his college football at Michigan State & Northern Illinois, He threw for 7,390 yards & 42 TD's throughout his career.
Joins a loaded @USFLPanthers QB room. pic.twitter.com/meiKdyE5C5
— James Larsen (@JamesLarsenPFN) December 23, 2024
Lombardi is an exciting pickup at the quarterback position for Michigan. He was selected in the fifth round by the Panthers in the UFL College Draft, and after spending some time in the NFL with the Bengals, makes his way to the UFL with Michigan.
Lombardi is another draftee who had a very long college career, playing from 2017-2023. His first stop was at Michigan State, starting in nine of 22 games played. Lombardi threw for 1,902 yards and 11 touchdowns as a Spartan.
He then transferred to NIU in 2021, quickly becoming the starter that year. In 2021, he threw for 2,569 yards and 15 touchdowns. An injury cut his 2022 stint short, so he returned in 2023 – compiling 2,247 passing yards and 11 scores. Throughout his collegiate career, Rocky rushed for 768 yards and 17 touchdowns on the ground.
Rocky 🔥 Lombardi 🔥
A closer look at our fifth pick of the 2024 UFL College Draft 👀@rocky_lombardi x @NIU_Football pic.twitter.com/rySahf1D2U
— Official Jake Bates Stan Account (@USFLPanthers) July 17, 2024
In the preseason this year, Lombardi threw for 33 yards with Cincinnati. Having him join this QB room in Michigan is intriguing, as they already roster Bryce Perkins, Danny Etling, and E.J. Perry. The competition in Training Camp will be something to watch closely – as each has the potential to be a QB1/QB2 in this league.
LB Donavan Mutin
Per @UFL_PR, the Michigan Panthers have signed former Houston LB Donavan Mutin.
Mutin, who had 252 total tackles, 18 TFL, 3 sacks, and 1 INT for the Cougars, was formerly with the Indianapolis Colts and Atlanta Falcons.
Welcome, Donavan!#LetsHunt pic.twitter.com/DMXALvEyBa
— Michigan Panthers Dude (@MIPanthersDude) December 24, 2024
While the UFL originally reported that Mutin signed with Birmingham, he did in fact sign with the Michigan Panthers, strengthening their LB unit ahead of the 2025 season.
Mutin played all of his college football at Houston, racking up 252 tackles, three sacks, and an interception during his time there. Mutin was a Team Captain during his final couple of seasons, posting impressive numbers with the Cougars as he was a starter at MIKE linebacker throughout the majority of his senior year.
Mutin signed with the Indianapolis Colts as an UDFA in 2023, and was later picked up by the Atlanta Falcons, which is where he remained until this past August. Donavan has 32 tackles to his name in the NFL’s preseason games.
Highest-graded Falcons in the preseason finale:
🥇 Demone Harris- 84.3
🥈 Donavan Mutin – 76.2
🥉 Lukas Denis – 75.2
🏅 Tommy Togiai – 73.7
🏅 Jovaughn Gwyn – 70.2(min. 10 snaps) pic.twitter.com/yMItXVbAQj
— PFF ATL Falcons (@PFF_Falcons) August 25, 2024
Now, he looks to get his pro career off the ground in the UFL. General Manager Steve Kazor continues to acquire quality pieces to fill out this Panthers roster, and these latest additions are examples of exactly that.
What are your thoughts on Rocky Lombardi signing to Michigan? Will Mutin end up earning a starting role defensively? Let us know down in the comments below, or join the conversation on Discord!
