Former Michigan State quarterback Rocky Lombardi has another opportunity to shine in the Mitten, this time in the UFL.
As reported by James Larsen, Lombardi is slated to make his first career start on Saturday when the Michigan Panthers host the Houston Roughnecks at Ford Field.
NEWS: Rocky Lombardi is set to start this week for the @USFLPanthers, per the #UFL Depth Chart.
— James Larsen (@JamesLarsenPFN) May 29, 2025
Lombardi, the former Michigan State & Northern Illinois product, has primarily been QB3 this season for Michigan.
Love to see him getting a shot to get reps this week. pic.twitter.com/rsDYxFOauF
A fifth-round pick in the 2024 UFL Draft, Lombardi played for Michigan State from 2017 until 2020 before transferring to Northern Illinois for the remainder of his collegiate career. Lombardi went undrafted during the 2024 NFL Draft and was briefly signed by the Cincinnati Bengals before landing in the UFL.
The Clive, Iowa, native appeared in 22 games for MSU and started in nine, throwing for 11 touchdowns and 14 interceptions as a three-year letterwinner.
Lombardi is best remembered for being the starting quarterback during Michigan State’s 2020 upset of Michigan at The Big House, throwing for 323 yards and three scores in the 27-24 victory.
Across his college career, the 6-foot-3, 227-pound signal-caller threw for 7,418 yards and 42 touchdowns and led the Huskies to multiple Bowl appearances.
So far this season, Lombardi has served as the Panthers’ third-string quarterback for Mike Nolan’s Panthers, backing up Bryce Perkins and Danny Etling, who have led the team to a 6-2 record.
The 26-year-old will become the second-ever Michigan State quarterback to start for the Michigan Panthers following Brian Lewerke, who started five games for them in 2024.