Tight end La’Michael Pettway, USFL Michigan Panthers
The Birmingham Stallions signed tight end La’Michael Pettway, according to a United Football League (UFL) announcement on Thursday, January 2, 2025.
Pettway attended Nashville High School in Arkansas, where he played football, basketball, and track and field. He initially played quarterback before transitioning to wide receiver, earning first-team All-Arkansas Preps and all-state honors. He recorded impressive stats, including 123 catches for 2,151 yards and 34 touchdowns over his high school career.
Pettway committed to Arkansas after initially committing to Ole Miss. He redshirted as a freshman in 2015. Over three seasons with the Razorbacks (2016-2018), he had 37 receptions for 601 yards and five touchdowns. His best year was 2018, when he led the team in receptions and receiving yards. Pettway transferred to Iowa State for his final college season in 2019. Pettway was an honorable mention All-Big 12, leading the team with 55 receptions for 676 yards and six touchdowns.
After going undrafted in the 2020 NFL Draft, Pettway played in The Spring League in 2021. He was drafted by the Michigan Panthers in the 2022 USFL draft, where he played 10 games with four starts, recording 24 catches for 307 yards and two touchdowns. In 2023, he joined the Birmingham Stallions, playing in seven games with three starts, contributing to their league championship with seven catches for 99 yards and two touchdowns.
Pettway signed with the Indianapolis Colts in August 2023 but was waived/injured shortly after. He then joined the New England Patriots’ practice squad in December 2023, signing a two-year contract in January 2024. However, the Patriots released him in August 2024.
This will be Pettway’s second stint with the Stallions.
1 thought on “TE La’Michael Pettway signed by the UFL Birmingham Stallions”
Awesome signing. Skip Holtz is going to be in a place where he has many interesting roster decisions as camp comes to an end. If nothing has happened I hadn’t caught he will have Demetric Felton, CJ Marable, Ricky Person Jr and Larry Rountree III. With the signings today they also have 4 Tight Ends Jace Sternberger, La’Michael Pettway, Jordan Thomas and Marcus Baugh so there might be an odd man out, although with only 6 receivers currently on their roster La’Michael Pettway may play more like a deep threat with his great size and hands, as a matter of fact the VERY first highlight for the USFL I had ever seen was Pettway making a great reception on a Hail Mary type of pass from Shea Patterson in training camp. I would not be surprised to see Deon Cain or Davion Davis join the squad, however.
This is a very good sign though. It seems the league had signed a few of their players earlier in the off-season, but then started signing players that were known as NFL busts, than spring league stars. I am aware those most of the are really NFL busts too, but at least they were known for accomplishments at a pro-level. But now with Sternberger, Hakeem Butler and Pettway there is a sign that maybe 50 of the 100 players that still need to be signed will be UFL veterans. Remember only about 50 days to camp with about a 100 players to sign. This should be fun.
Awesome signing. Skip Holtz is going to be in a place where he has many interesting roster decisions as camp comes to an end. If nothing has happened I hadn’t caught he will have Demetric Felton, CJ Marable, Ricky Person Jr and Larry Rountree III. With the signings today they also have 4 Tight Ends Jace Sternberger, La’Michael Pettway, Jordan Thomas and Marcus Baugh so there might be an odd man out, although with only 6 receivers currently on their roster La’Michael Pettway may play more like a deep threat with his great size and hands, as a matter of fact the VERY first highlight for the USFL I had ever seen was Pettway making a great reception on a Hail Mary type of pass from Shea Patterson in training camp. I would not be surprised to see Deon Cain or Davion Davis join the squad, however.
This is a very good sign though. It seems the league had signed a few of their players earlier in the off-season, but then started signing players that were known as NFL busts, than spring league stars. I am aware those most of the are really NFL busts too, but at least they were known for accomplishments at a pro-level. But now with Sternberger, Hakeem Butler and Pettway there is a sign that maybe 50 of the 100 players that still need to be signed will be UFL veterans. Remember only about 50 days to camp with about a 100 players to sign. This should be fun.