Ex-Michigan State star Brian Lewerke cut as Michigan Panthers' QB situation takes shape

The Michigan Panthers have finalized their quarterback room, and it'll be without a former local star.

Former Michigan State quarterback Brian Lewerke, who joined the Panthers in the middle of last season, was among the 15 cuts by the Panthers on Sunday, as they got their roster down to 58 players.

"It's a pretty big cutdown, to be honest with you," said second-year Panthers head coach Mike Nolan, who formerly coached the San Francisco 49ers. "Bigger than I really think I can recall ever doing at one time."

The Panthers, who were part of the United States Football League the past two years and survived this year's merger of the XFL and USFL to create the United Football League, are continuing to train with the league's other seven teams in Arlington, Texas, before cutting down the roster to the final 50.

The season begins March 30 against the St. Louis Battlehawks at Ford Field in Detroit.

Other players waived by the Panthers on Sunday included defensive tackle Damion Daniels (Nebraska), inside linebacker Isaac Darkangelo (Illinois), cornerback Keandre Evans (Ouachita Baptist), tight end Nick Guggemos (Minnesota State), receiver Lance Lenoir (Western Illinois), safety Shalom Luani (Washington State), receiver Garett Maag (North Dakota), kicker Cole Murphy (Syracuse), tackle Denzel Okafor (Texas), safety Jamal Perry (Iowa State), safety Cory Rahman (Tennessee State), safety Warren Saba (East Carolina), tackle Phil Saleh (Fordham) and tackle LaColby Tucker (Missouri Southern State).

Lewerke, 27, played for Michigan State from 2015-19, before spending time on the practice squads of the NFL's New England Patriots and New York Giants from 2020-22. He joined the Seattle Sea Dragons of the XFL in 2023, before he was cut and eventually signed with the Panthers last May.

"It takes a lot," Lewerke told The News last spring, on staying motivated to keep playing, "but I love football."

Lewerke didn't play for the Panthers in 2023, and hasn't played in an actual game since Week 2 of the 2021 NFL preseason, with the Giants.

The Panthers are likely to go with former Brown quarterback E.J. Perry as their starter to kick off 2024. He was signed late last season, and led Michigan to the playoffs by beating the Philadelphia Stars, 23-20, in the regular-season finale at Ford Field. He threw for 370 yards and three touchdowns in a 31-27 playoff loss to Pittsburgh.

Perry is expected to be backed up by Davis Cheek (Elon) and Danny Etling (LSU).

Josh Love (San Jose State) and Carson Strong (Nevada) got most of the QB work for Michigan early in 2023. Nolan said this week that the Panthers' QB situation is stronger now than it was to start 2023, which makes sense, given the merger, which took 16 total teams down to eight.

"All the guys we let go, unfortunately, they can play in the league," Nolan said. "In this case, we're gonna let some guys go that hopefully, from my point of view, another team is in real need of them and picks them up.

"The better the talent gets in our league, the stronger we are, the more fun it is to watch as a spectator.

"The level of talent has improved throughout the league."

tpaul@detroitnews.com

@tonypaul1984