The Detroit Lions are shaking things up that go beyond the usual draft chatter—this time they’re looking to the United Football League. The focus? Toa Taua, the Michigan Panthers’ compact but dynamic running back who just lit up the UFL with six rushing touchdowns in just seven games .
Taua, who led his team deep into the playoffs, recently shared an Instagram shout-out: “S/o God! All we needed was an opp” . And the Lions are answering that call—bringing him in for a workout as part of their training camp prep .
At 5’8″, 208 pounds, Taua is a low center-of-gravity, hit-the-hole hard runner—something the UFL stats back up: 4.4 YPC and third in the league . Plus, he topped out with six touchdowns on the season , proving he’s more than just a volume back.
Now, the question is whether that grit translates to Detroit’s crowded backfield. The Lions are already set with their top quartet—Jahmyr Gibbs, David Montgomery, Craig Reynolds, and Sione Vaki . If signed, Taua would go head-to-head with undrafted rookies Anthony Tyus III and Kye Robichaux for an RB5 spot—or possibly a practice squad slot .
It’s a long shot—but the kind that pays off. If Taua shows out in camp, this UFL-to-NFL leap could be the kind of Cinderella story Detroit fans love. Even if he settles onto the practice squad, the runway to 2026 is real—especially with Gibbs potentially signing a blockbuster extension next offseason .
Metro Pipeline: Detroit Works Out Michigan Panthers’ TD Machine
