The Michigan Panthers re-signed quarterback Rocky Lombardi, offensive linemen Chim Okorafor, Keith Russell, and Victor Curne, and defensive back Kedrick Whitehead Jr. on Monday according to the UFL Transactions page.
Rocky Lombardi is six foot four and weighs 225 pounds. The 26-year-old from Clive, Iowa, signed with the Michigan Panthers on December 23, 2024. In 2025, he completed 1 of 8 passes (44.4%) for 61 yards, one interception, and one carry for two yards in two games.
The Cincinnati Bengals signed Lombardi as an undrafted free agent on May 10, 2024. In 2024, Lombardi completed 4 of 8 passes (50%) for 33 yards and five carries for one yard in three preseason games. The Bengals released Lombardi on August 23, 2024. The Michigan Panthers drafted Lombardi in the fifth round (38th pick) of the 2024 UFL College Draft.
Collegiately, Lombardi played three seasons at Michigan State (2018-20) completing 159 of 332 passes (48%) for 1,902 yards, 14 touchdowns, 11 interceptions, 74 carries for 166 yards and punted the ball one time for 32 yards in 22 games for the Spartans.
Then, he transferred to Northern Illinois (2021-23) completing 439 of 745 passes (59%) for 5,516 yards, 31 touchdowns, 16 interceptions, 172 carries for 603 yards, 17 touchdowns, punting the ball four times for 176 yards with a long of 50 yards, two from inside the 20-yard line, and one from 50-plus yards in 30 games for the Huskies.
Chim Okorafor is six foot six and weighs 320 pounds. The 26-year-old from Upland, California, re-signed with the Panthers on January 13, 2025. In 2025, he started 10 games. Michigan averaged 24.5 points per game, 4.5 rushing yards per game, 199.3 passing yards per game, 327.1 total yards per game, and 29 touchdowns finishing 6-4 for the season and appearing in the 2025 UFL Championship Game.
The Philadelphia Eagles signed Okorafor as an undrafted free agent in 2023. He was released by the Eagles on August 8, 2023, and later signed with the Minnesota Vikings.
The Michigan Panthers drafted Okorafor in the ninth round (64th pick) of the 2023 USFL Draft. In 2024, Okorafor played seven games, of which three were starts. Michigan’s offense was ranked third in total yards (3,007), second in rushing yards (1,252), sixth in passing yards (1,755), third in yards per game (300.7), and tied third in touchdowns (27).
The Panthers released him on July 22, 2024. The Cleveland Browns signed Okorafor on July 24, 2024. He played one preseason game before getting released on August 26, 2024.
Collegiately, Okorafor played basketball for two seasons at Cal Poly Pomona (2017-18) before transferring to Riverside City Community College in 2019 playing five games for the Bengals.
Then, he transferred to Benedictine College in 2022 playing 13 games for the Ravens. He was named an NAIA All-American in 2022. The offensive line allowed 12 sacks in 13 games.
Keith Russell is six foot six and weighs 308 pounds. The 24-year-old from Frisco, Texas, attended the Atlanta Falcons rookie minicamp in 2024. The Panthers signed him on July 23, 2024. In 2025, he played four games.
Michigan averaged 24.5 points per game, 4.5 rushing yards per game, 199.3 passing yards per game, 327.1 total yards per game, and 29 touchdowns finishing 6-4 for the season and appearing in the 2025 UFL Championship Game.
Collegiately, Russell played three seasons at Missouri Western State University (2021-23) playing 29 games for the Griffons. He was named a two-time Third Team All-MIAA. In 2023, Missouri Western State’s offense averaged 37.42 points per game, 200.2 rushing yards per game, 218.17 passing yards per game, 418.3 average total yards per game, and 58 touchdowns finishing 8-4 in the season.
Victor Curne is six foot four and weighs 320 pounds. The 24-year-old from Houston, Texas, went undrafted in the 2024 NFL Draft. The Michigan Panthers signed Curne on August 21, 2024. In 2025, he played five games, of which two were starts.
Michigan averaged 24.5 points per game, 4.5 rushing yards per game, 199.3 passing yards per game, 327.1 total yards per game, and 29 touchdowns finishing 6-4 for the season and appearing in the 2025 UFL Championship Game.
Collegiately, Curne played four seasons at Washington (2018-22) playing right tackle in 26 games for the Huskies. He was named an All-PAC 12 Honorable Mention in 2020. Then, Curne transferred to Ole Miss in 2023 playing left tackle and right tackle in 13 games for the Rebels.
In 2023, Curne allowed one sack in 385 pass blocks. Ole Miss’s offense ranked top 20 nationally in total offense (361.9 YPG), passing offense (285.6 YPG), first downs (305), and scoring offense (35.1 PPG).
Kedrick Whitehead Jr. is five foot eleven and weighs 195 pounds. The 25-year-old from Middletown, Delaware, re-signed with the Michigan Panthers on August 12, 2024.
In 2025, he made 54 tackles (38 solos, 16 assists), four tackles for loss, and four pass breakups in 10 games. He played 118 snaps on special teams and was recognized for being the “Iron Man” of Michigan’s special teams. He was named the UFL Special Teams Player of the Year and the All-UFL Team in 2025.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers signed Whitehead Jr. as an undrafted free agent on May 15, 2023. He played one preseason game with three tackles (3 solo) before suffering an injury and was released.
Whitehead Jr. signed with the Michigan Panthers on March 5, 2024. In 2024, he made 39 tackles (22 solo, 17 assists), one tackle for loss, and one pass breakup in 10 games. In the 2024 USFL Conference Championship Game against the Birmingham Stallions, Whitehead Jr. made two tackles (2 solos).
Collegiately, Whitehead Jr. played five seasons at the University of Delaware (2018-22) making 295 tackles (159 solos, 136 assists), 10.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, five interceptions for 30 yards, 25 pass breakups, three forced fumbles, and three fumble recoveries in 55 games for the Fightin’ Blue Hens.
Whitehead Jr. was named a four-time First Team All-CAA, a nine-time All-American, and a three-time team captain (2020-22). He currently ranks 21st in school history in career tackles (295), sixth among defensive backs, and was the tenth sophomore in program history to reach 100 tackles in a single season.
