With only 37 days left until the NFL season kicks off, let’s take a look at the Panthers’ #37, S Dezmen Southward.
Bio
Height: 6’2”
Weight: 208 lbs
Age: 26
College: Wisconsin
Experience: 3 years
Career
Southward was signed to a futures contract by Carolina in January 2017 after spending the final week of the 2016 season on the Panthers’ practice squad.
Here’s a summary of his career, courtesy of Panthers.com:
2016: Attended training camp with Indianapolis. Suffered a bicep injury during the preseason versus Philadelphia (8/27) and was placed on injured reserve (8/30) before reaching an injury settlement (9/7). Spent the final week of the season on Carolina's practice squad.
2015: Played in three games, recording one tackle, and was inactive for five games for Atlanta. Finished the season on Indianapolis' practice squad. Inactive for the Falcons' season opener versus Philadelphia (9/14), played in the next three games and then was inactive for the following four games before being waived (11/6). Signed the Colts' practice squad (11/10), where he spent the final eight games.
2014: Drafted in the third round (68th overall) by Atlanta. Played in 16 games. Posted 20 tackles, one sack, one interception and two passes defensed. Logged four special teams tackles. At Carolina (11/16): Collected first career sack, taking down Panthers quarterback Cam Newton for a six-yard loss. Vs. Cleveland (11/23): Victimized Browns quarterback Brian Hoyer for first career interception. Takeaway set up a field goal.
Southward is currently one of the handful of safeties trying to earn a spot on the 53-man roster. His competition is currently L.J. McCray, Travell Dixon, Colin Jones and Dean Marlowe. Southward is mostly known for his training camp fight with offensive lineman Dan France last week and likely won’t make the 53-man roster, but could surprise everyone with a good preseason showing.
What do you think, Panthers fans? Does he have a shot to make the roster?