Former Northwestern RB Scores Preseason Touchdown for Carolina Panthers

Entering his second season in the league, former Northwestern running back Anthony "Tre" Tyus III has his first NFL touchdown.

The ex-Wildcat caught a five-yard touchdown pass from Carolina Panthers quarterback Haynes King in the preseason Hall of Fame Game on Thursday night. Tyus' fourth-quarter score put the Panthers ahead in a game they eventually won over the Arizona Cardinals, 33-30.

Tyus fumbled on his second carry of the game, but bounced back in limited action. He ended the game with 19 rushing yards on eight carries in addition to his five-yard touchdown reception.

The Panthers signed Tyus to their practice squad on Oct. 1, 2025, where he remained for the rest of the season. He agreed to a reserve/future contract with the team in January.

Tyus committed to Northwestern as a four-star recruit in the Class of 2021. The Portage, Mich., native was Pat Fitzgerald's second-best recruit that year and the No. 17 running back overall, according to Rivals. He chose the Wildcats over offers from Michigan State, Iowa State, Indiana and Cincinnati.

As a freshman, Tyus was featured in Northwestern's "running back by committee" approach, going for 226 scrimmage yards and a touchdown on 53 touches. However, his production was cut in half the following year when Cam Porter returned from an ACL injury that sidelined him for the entirety of 2021. Tyus played 12 games as a junior for Northwestern's Las Vegas Bowl team and totaled 254 yards and a score on 52 touches.

That ended up being Tyus' final season in purple, as he transferred to the MAC in 2024. After being buried on the Wildcats' depth chart, Tyus finally broke out as the true No. 1 back for the Ohio Bobcats.

Tyus toted the rock 237 times in his lone season in Athens for an astonishing 1,215 rushing yards and nine touchdowns. He was also an aerial threat, hauling in 16 passes for 137 yards and two scores. He was honored with an All-MAC Second Team designation as he helped lead the Bobcats to a conference championship victory and a win in the Cure Bowl.

The bruising back then declared for the 2025 NFL Draft, following a season that ranked sixth all-time in Ohio rushing history. Although he went undrafted, Tyus quickly signed a free agent contract with his hometown Detroit Lions. He was later waived after suffering an offseason injury and picked up by the Seattle Seahawks.

Across three preseason games in 2025, Tyus combined to rush for 55 yards on 21 carries. He was waived by the Seahawks in their final roster cuts and was on their practice squad for one day.