The Michigan Panthers re-signed running back Toa Taua, tight end Gunnar Oakes, linebacker Frank Ginda, and defensive back D.J. Miller Jr. on Thursday according to 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.
The Panthers released him on July 26, 2025, and he signed with the Cleveland Browns on July 28, 2025. Taua had seven carries for 37 yards and two catches for 16 yards in two preseason games. The Browns released him on August 21, 2025.
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.
Gunnar 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.
The Panthers released Oakes on August 10, 2025. He signed with the Detroit Lions on August 10, 2025. He played two preseason games recording no stats. The Lions released him on August 26, 2025.
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).
Frank Ginda is six foot and weighs 225 pounds. The 28-year-old from Los Banos, California, re-signed with the Panthers on January 24, 2025. In 2025, he led the team with 61 tackles (36 solos, 25 assists), four tackles for loss, and 2.5 sacks in seven games.
The Arizona Cardinals signed Ginda as an undrafted free agent on April 30, 2018. He also spent time with the Miami Dolphins, San Diego Fleet (AAF), New Orleans Saints, and the New York Guardians (XFL).
The Michigan Panthers drafted Ginda in the 30th round (244th pick) of the 2022 USFL Draft. Ginda made 90 tackles (42 solos, 48 assists), six tackles for loss, one sack, and one pass breakup in ten games for the Panthers in 2022.
In 2023, Ginda made 104 tackles (48 solos, 56 assists), three tackles for loss, one sack, three interceptions, two forced fumbles, and five pass breakups in ten games.
In the playoffs, Ginda made 11 tackles (6 solos, 5 assists), two tackles for loss, and one sack against the Pittsburgh Maulers. Ginda was named USFL Defensive Player of the Year and made the USFL All-Star Team.
After the season, Ginda signed with the Atlanta Falcons. He played two preseason games with 12 tackles (3 solos, 9 assists). After he was released by the Falcons on August 29, 2023, Ginda re-signed with the Panthers on October 1, 2023. Ginda had two stints on the Atlanta Falcons practice squad in 2023. He re-signed with the Panthers on February 14, 2024.
In 2024, he made 34 tackles (20 solos, 14 assists) and three tackles for loss in six games. The Panthers released him on August 18, 2024, and he signed with the Los Angeles Chargers on August 19, 2024. Ginda made four tackles (3 solos, 1 assist) in one preseason game. The Chargers released him on August 27, 2024.
Collegiately, Ginda played three seasons at San Jose State (2015-17) making 352 tackles (186 solos, 166 assists), 29 tackles for loss, 9.5 sacks, six forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, one interception, and seven pass breakups in 38 games for the Spartans. He was named First Team All-Mountain West in 2017.
D.J. Miller Jr. is five foot ten and weighs 185 pounds. The 25-year-old from O’Fallon, Missouri, signed with the Michigan Panthers on December 14, 2024. In 2025, he made 29 tackles (17 solos, 12 assists), two interceptions for four yards, and eight pass breakups in 10 games. In the playoffs, he made nine tackles (8 solos, 1 assist) and three pass breakups in two games.
The Panthers released him on August 4, 2025, and he signed with the Detroit Lions on the same day. Miller Jr. made 10 tackles (7 solos, 3 assists) and two pass breakups in two preseason games. The Lions released him on August 26, 2025.
The Kansas City Chiefs signed Miller Jr. as an undrafted free agent on May 6, 2024. In 2024, Miller made 10 tackles (6 solos, 4 assists) in three preseason games. The Chiefs released him on August 27, 2024. Miller Jr. was drafted by the San Antonio Brahmas in the ninth round (71st pick) in the 2024 UFL College Draft.
Collegiately, Miller Jr. played three seasons at Iowa State (2019-21) making 18 tackles (12 solos, 6 assists), four pass breakups, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, and two punt returns for -8 yards in 28 games for the Cyclones.
Then, Miller Jr. transferred to Kent State (2022-23) making 109 tackles (68 solos, 41 assists), one tackle for loss, seven pass breakups, and two fumble recoveries in 23 games for the Golden Flashes. In 2023, Miller made 46 tackles (26 solos, 20 assists), one tackle for loss, three pass breakups, and one fumble recovery in 11 games.
