Michigan Panthers release tight end Gunner Oakes

August 10, 2025 Michael Heilman
Michigan Panthers
Michigan Panthers

The Michigan Panthers released tight end Gunner Oakes on Sunday as he signed with the Detroit Lions.

Gunner Oakes is six foot five and weighs 256 pounds. The 26-year-old from Swanton, Ohio, re-signed with the Michigan Panthers on August 10, 2024. In 2025, Oakes made 14 catches for 162 yards and two touchdowns. In the playoffs, he was targeted one time, but did not record any stats.

Oakes attended the Atlanta Falcons rookie mini-camp in 2023. The Michigan Panthers drafted Oakes in the seventh round (48th pick) in the 2023 USFL Draft. He did not play for the Panthers in 2023. In 2024, Oakes made three catches for 36 yards in 10 games.

Collegiately, Oakes played five seasons at Eastern Michigan (2018-22) making 56 catches for 621 yards and two touchdowns in 49 games for the Eagles. In 2022, he set career highs in games played (12), receptions (27), and receiving yards (279).

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About Michael Heilman 11246 Articles
Michael Heilman is a writer, videographer, photographer, and founder of BGMSportsTrax. Michael is a graduate of Atlantic Cape Community College and Stockton University. During his final year at Stockton, Michael wrote game recaps for Atlantic City FC, a professional soccer team formerly of the NPSL, and contributed to Stockton's Independent Newspaper called "The Argo."
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