The Michigan Panthers signed wide receiver Nehemiah Martinez and released wide receiver Phazione McClurge and linebacker Levi Bell on Monday according to the UFL Transactions page.
Nehemiah Martinez is five foot nine and weighs 200 pounds. A native of Lubbock, Texas, Martinez went undrafted in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Collegiately, Martinez played three seasons at Texas Tech (2021-23) making 34 catches for 426 yards, two touchdowns, 18 carries for 99 yards, nine kick returns for 156 yards, and two tackles (1 solo, 1 assist) in 35 games for the Red Raiders.
Then, Martinez transferred to Abilene Christian University in 2024 making 76 catches for 1,003 yards, 10 touchdowns, 19 carries for 185 yards, five kick returns for 132 yards, 21 punt returns for 183 yards, and three tackles (1 solo, 2 assists) in 14 games for the Wildcats. He won the United Athletic Conference’s Offensive Player of the Week in October against Central Arkansas making seven catches for 202 yards, three touchdowns, and one carry for 16 yards.
Phazione McClurge is six foot two and weighs 197 pounds. The 25-year-old from Chicago, Illinois, signed with the Michigan Panthers on March 15, 2025. He did not play a game for the Panthers in 2025.
McClurge went undrafted in the 2022 NFL Draft. The Frisco Fighters signed McClurge on November 8, 2022. In 2023, he made 46 catches for 612 yards, 10 touchdowns, one carry for no yards, and two tackles (2 assists) in 10 games. He was named to the IFL All-Rookie Team.
The Frisco Fighters re-signed McClurge on October 2, 2023. In 2024, he made 16 catches for 256 yards, five touchdowns, and one carry for two yards in five games.
Collegiately, McClurge played three seasons at Cornell (2017-19) playing defensive back and wide receiver. He made 26 tackles (22 solos, 4 assists), eight pass breakups, 41 catches for 677 yards, three touchdowns, and one carry for 23 yards in 26 games for the Big Red.
After the IVY League canceled the 2020 season due to the pandemic, McClurge transferred to Indiana State in 2021 making 36 catches for 438 yards, three touchdowns, one carry for 18 yards, and one kick return for 13 yards in 10 games for the Sycamores.
Levi Bell is six foot one and weighs 275 pounds. The 25-year-old from Cedar Park, Texas, re-signed with the Michigan Panthers on October 30, 2024. In 2025, Bell made four tackles (4 solos), and one tackle for loss in four games.
The Baltimore Ravens signed Bell as an undrafted free agent on May 5, 2023. Next, the Michigan Panthers drafted Bell in the sixth round (40th pick) in the 2023 USFL Draft. In 2023, Bell made 17 tackles (7 solos, 10 assists), four tackles for loss, and four sacks in six games for the Panthers.
In the playoffs, Bell made seven tackles (1 solo, 6 assists), and one tackle for loss against the Pittsburgh Maulers. After the season, Bell signed with the Seattle Seahawks and spent most of the season on the practice squad. The Seahawks released Bell on May 1, 2024, and he re-signed with the Michigan Panthers on May 15, 2024. However, he was placed on injured reserve and did not play in the 2024 season.
The Panthers released him on July 30, 2024, and he signed with the Indianapolis Colts on July 31, 2024. In 2024, Bell made five tackles (5 solos) in three preseason games. The Colts released him on August 27, 2024.
Collegiately, Bell played one season at the College of Idaho in 2018 making 17 tackles (5 solos, 12 assists), 1.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, one fumble recovery, one blocked kick, and one punt return for no yards in seven games for the Wolves.
Next, Bell transferred to Tyler Junior College in 2019 making 41 tackles (35 solos, 6 assists), three sacks, and one fumble recovery in nine games for the Apache. Then, Bell transferred to Louisiana Tech (2020-21) making 27 tackles (14 solos, 13 assists), 7.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, and one fumble recovery in 13 games for the Bulldogs.
Finally, Bell concluded his collegiate career at Texas State in 2022 making 66 tackles (26 solos, 40 assists), 13.5 tackles for loss, and five sacks in 12 games for the Bobcats. He was named Second Team All-SBC, First Team All-SBC by PFF, and Third Team All-American by PFF.
