The Michigan Panthers re-signed defensive back Nate Brooks and signed offensive lineman Julian Pearl on Wednesday according to James Larsen.
Nate Brooks is six foot and weighs 190 pounds. The 30-year-old from Whitehouse, Texas, was released by the Michigan Panthers on July 25, 2024, and signed with the Cincinnati Bengals on July 26, 2024. In 2024, he made 11 tackles (7 solos, 4 assists) in three preseason games. He spent the season on the practice squad. In 2025, he made 11 tackles (7 solos, 4 assists) and three pass breakups in three preseason games. The Bengals released him on August 25, 2025.
Brooks signed with the Arizona Cardinals as an undrafted free agent on May 10, 2019. Brooks had stints with the New England Patriots, Miami Dolphins, Baltimore Ravens, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tennessee Titans, and the Las Vegas Raiders. Brooks played four career NFL games with the Miami Dolphins and Baltimore Ravens, of which two were starts with 11 tackles (10 solos, 1 assist).
Next, the Birmingham Stallions signed Brooks as a free agent on December 3, 2022. In 2023, Brooks made 43 tackles (29 solos, 14 assists), two interceptions for 66 yards, one fumble recovery, and six pass breakups in ten games. In the playoffs, Brooks made 12 tackles (7 solos, 5 assists) and two pass breakups helping the Stallions win their second straight USFL title.
After the season, Brooks was released on August 11, 2023, and signed with the San Francisco 49ers a day later. He played one preseason game against the Los Angeles Chargers with one tackle and was released on August 27, 2023.
The Michigan Panthers drafted Brooks in the first round (5th pick) of the 2024 UFL Super Draft. In 2024, Brooks made 36 tackles (26 solos, 10 assists), two tackles for loss, one interception, and six pass breakups in 10 games and was named to the All-UFL Team after the season.
Collegiately, Brooks played four seasons at North Texas (2015-18) with 193 tackles (135 solos, 58 assists), 10 tackles for loss, one sack, 10 interceptions for 69 yards, 29 pass breakups, three forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery in 48 games for the Mean Green. He was named Second Team All-Conference USA in 2018.
Julian Pearl is six foot six and weighs 325 pounds. The 25-year-old from Danville, Illinois, signed with the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent on May 3, 2024. He also spent time with the Minnesota Vikings, Cleveland Browns, and Pittsburgh Steelers.
He played in one preseason game for the Steelers in 2025. The Michigan Panthers drafted Pearl in the first round (6th pick) of the 2024 UFL College Draft.
Collegiately, Pearl played six seasons at Illinois (2018-23) starting 43 of 49 games playing left tackle and right tackle for the Fighting Illini. In 2023, Illinois averaged 24.50 points per game, 126.4 rushing yards per game, 264.58 passing yards per game, 391 total yards per game, 37 touchdowns, and allowed 24 sacks finishing 5-7 for the season. He was named a two-time All-Big Ten Honorable Mention.
