Dezmen Southward

Dezmen Southward (born October 1, 1990) is a former American football free safety. He played college football at Wisconsin, and was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the third round of the 2014 NFL Draft.

Dezmen Southward
refer to caption
Southward with the Atlanta Falcons
No. 22, 37, 41
Position:Safety
Personal information
Born: (1990-10-01) October 1, 1990
Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.
Height:6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight:208 lb (94 kg)
Career information
High school:St. Thomas Aquinas
(Fort Lauderdale, Florida)
College:Wisconsin
NFL Draft:2014 / Round: 3 / Pick: 68
Career history
Career NFL statistics
Total tackles:24
Sacks:1.0
Interceptions:1
Player stats at NFL.com

High school career

Southward attended St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where he did not start playing organized football until his senior year. He was a starting defensive back for the team, helping lead the team to a national championship.[1] He was also a key member of the school's basketball team, being named a three-year captain and two-time team MVP.

He was considered a two-star recruit by Rivals.com.[2]

College career

He accepted a scholarship to the University of Wisconsin where he was a member of the Wisconsin Badgers football team from 2009 to 2013. He set a school record by playing in 54 games, never missing a game over his four-year career. He started 30 games for the Badgers, recording 152 total tackles and 11.5 tackles for loss, forcing four fumbles, adding two interceptions and breaking up 11 passes.

Professional career

Atlanta Falcons

Southward was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the third round (68th overall) of the 2014 NFL Draft.[3] In Week 11 of the 2014 season, Southward picked off Cleveland Browns quarterback Brian Hoyer for his first career interception.[4]

During the 2015 offseason, the Atlanta Falcons hired Dan Quinn as their head coach, replacing the outgoing Mike Smith. Quinn quickly changed Southward to a cornerback, from his natural safety position, and praised Southward's "speed and length".[5]

Southward was waived by the Falcons on November 6, 2015, after appearing in just three games for the Falcons.[6]

Indianapolis Colts

Southward was signed to the Indianapolis Colts' practice squad on November 10, 2015.[7] On August 30, 2016, Southward was placed on injured reserve.[8] On September 7, 2016, he was released from their injured reserve with an injury settlement.

Carolina Panthers

On December 28, 2016, Southward was signed to the Carolina Panthers' practice squad.[9] He signed a reserve/future contract with the Panthers on January 12, 2017.[10]

On September 2, 2017, Southward was waived by the Panthers and was signed to the practice squad the next day.[11][12] He was promoted to the active roster on October 6, 2017.[13] He was waived on October 16, 2017, and was re-signed to the practice squad the next day.[14] He signed a reserve/future contract with the Panthers on January 8, 2018.[15]

On September 1, 2018, Southward was waived by the Panthers and was signed to the practice squad the next day.[16][17] He was released on September 11, 2018, but was re-signed on September 24.[18][19] He was released again on October 30, 2018.[20]

References
  1. St. Thomas Aquinas caps 'special' season with national title
  2. Dezmen Southward - Yahoo Sports
  3. "2014 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved May 15, 2023.
  4. "Brian Hoyer overcomes 3 INTs as Browns win on Billy Cundiff late FG". espn.go.com. November 23, 2015. Retrieved November 10, 2015.
  5. McClure, Vaughn (September 1, 2015). "Former Falcons third-rounder Dezmen Southward hopes not to be cut". espn.go.com. Retrieved November 10, 2015.
  6. McClure, Vaughn (November 6, 2015). "Falcons waive former third-round pick Dezmen Southward". espn.go.com. Retrieved November 10, 2015.
  7. "Indianapolis Colts make practice squad moves". colts.com. November 10, 2015. Retrieved November 10, 2015.
  8. "Indianapolis Colts make roster moves". blogs.colts.com. August 30, 2016. Retrieved August 30, 2016.
  9. "Panthers Sign S Dezmen Southward To Practice Squad". NFLTradeRumors.com. December 28, 2016.
  10. Strickland, Bryan (January 12, 2017). "Panthers sign Dezmen Southward to future contract". Panthers.com.
  11. Henson, Max (September 2, 2017). "Panthers trim roster to 53". Panthers.com. Archived from the original on September 20, 2017.
  12. Voth, Bill (September 3, 2017). "Panthers sign 10 players to practice squad". Panthers.com. Archived from the original on March 13, 2018.
  13. Strickland, Bryan (October 6, 2017). "Daeshon Hall placed on injured reserve". Panthers.com. Archived from the original on October 9, 2017. Retrieved October 6, 2017.
  14. Alper, Josh (October 16, 2017). "Panthers promote QB Garrett Gilbert from practice squad". ProFootballTalk.NBCSports.com.
  15. Strickland, Bryan (January 8, 2018). "Notes: Jonathan Stewart among vets vested in returning". Panthers.com.
  16. Voth, Bill (September 1, 2018). "Panthers trim roster to 53". Panthers.com.
  17. Voth, Bill (September 2, 2018). "Frazier, Allen among 10 signed to practice squad". Panthers.com.
  18. "Panthers sign WR DeAndrew White to PS, waive Dezmen Southward". 247sports.com. September 11, 2018.
  19. "Carolina Panthers sign Dezmen Southward to practice squad". CatScratchReader.com. September 24, 2018.
  20. Leekley, Evan (October 30, 2018). "Panthers add quarterback Kyle Allen to practice squad; cut safety Dezmen Southward". CatScratchReader.com. Retrieved June 1, 2020.
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