The Michigan Panthers released running back Toa Taua on Saturday as he is signing with the Cleveland Browns according to Pro Football Newsroom reporter James Larsen.
Toa Taua is five foot nine and weighs 218 pounds. The 25-year-old from Lompoc, California, re-signed with the Michigan Panthers on April 10, 2025. In 2025, he had 81 carries for 356 yards, six rushing touchdowns, and nine catches for 76 yards in seven games, of which four were starts.
In the 2025 playoffs, Taua had 29 carries for 119 yards, three rushing touchdowns, and three catches for 22 yards helping the Panthers appear in the UFL Championship Game against the D.C. Defenders.
Taua attended the Philadelphia Eagles rookie minicamp in 2023 before signing with the Michigan Panthers on May 24, 2023, and appeared in one game for the Panthers in 2023.
The Panthers released Taua on March 23, 2024. He re-signed with the Panthers on May 21, 2024. In 2024, Taua had 8 carries for 26 yards in one game. The Panthers re-signed Taua on August 10, 2024. He attended training camp and was released on March 20, 2025.
Collegiately, Taua played five seasons at Nevada (2018-22) with 855 carries for 3,997 yards, 33 touchdowns, completed 6 of 8 passes (75%) for 96 yards, one touchdown, 163 catches for 1,190 yards, four touchdowns, 10 kick returns for 206 yards, and one tackle (1 solo) in 59 games for the Wolf Pack.
Taua was named the Mountain West Freshman Player of the Year in 2018, a two-time Mountain West Honorable Mention (2019, 2022), and Second Team All-Mountain West Conference in 2022.
