Panthers sign former Minnesota Gophers LB Jonathan Celestin

[Icege]

 

[Icege]

Moved from S to LB in his senior year of HS and racked up 139 tackles. University of Minnesota alumni who played LB + ST during his freshman season. His sophomore season he was named to the Academic All-Big Ten team and recorded 43 tackles (his best game came against Nebraska where he notched 8 tackles and a forced fumble). Finished his junior year with 80 tackles, 2.5 sacks, and 4 PBUs (had a team high 13 tackle game vs. Iowa as well as a 12 tackle + 1 sack performance vs. Rutgers) before being named to the Academic All-Big Ten for a second time. His senior year (2017), he started every game and was second on the team in tackles (78) while also picking up a fumble recovery as well as a pick 6. He had a career-high 15 tackle game against Maryland that year and was on a Minnesota team that beat Illinois + Nebraska. He received the Carl Eller Award (most valuable defensive player) and was Minnesota's Big Ten Sportsmanship Award nominee. Majored in kinesiology. 

Ran a 4.70 40-yard dash during his pro day and put up 27 reps on the bench while capping out with a 32.5" vertical. Originally UDFA that signed with the Falcons, was later signed by the Chargers and released a month later. Was added to the Jets practice squad for the duration of 2018. Signed in 2019 with the Panthers before eventually playing for the XFL's DC Defenders in 2020 (30 tackles during the pandemic shortened season). Was signed to play for the IFL's Massachusetts Pirates before getting worked out and eventually signed by Carolina. He was also signed at the beginning of the summer to be a strength & conditioning graduate assistant for his alma mater.

Edited August 2, 2021 by Icege

[Jackie Lee]

Shaq must be more injured than they thought, camp body

[Icege]

1 minute ago, Jackie Lee said:

Shaq must be more injured than they thought, camp body

He was in a green jersey for a moment until Rhule opted to have him take it easy so that he could practice with pads tomorrow. Was reportedly some lower body tightening, but it also showed how thin the team is at LB.

It gave Carter Jr some opportunities to show that he knows the defense and is confidently barking out assignments. Hopefully him and Shaq and be on the field together more often this season. We saw how much better both performed with Tahir Whitehead out of the picture.

[top dawg]

6 minutes ago, Jackie Lee said:

Shaq must be more injured than they thought, camp body

We were thin at LB anyway, so the labs to sign new ones likely preceded Shaq's injury.

Edited August 2, 2021 by top dawg

[trueblade]

[45catfan]

I wanted us to spend a day 3 pick on LB in the draft.  It would have been better than, say, a LS and a 3rd string DT, right?  We were thin there last year and even with a couple of FA signings, it still isn't very deep.  If we have a couple of injuries there, Chinn may be moving back to LB full time.

[RJK]

There’s usually some quality players available after final cuts. Just a Camp body 

[bythenbrs]

18 minutes ago, RJK said:

There’s usually some quality players available after final cuts. Just a Camp body 

Add LB to the short list of OL and FS final cut waiver claims.  I have more hope for adding quality LB depth than OL and FS.  Maybe.

[Camp Fodder]

34 minutes ago, 45catfan said:

I wanted us to spend a day 3 pick on LB in the draft.  It would have been better than, say, a LS and a 3rd string DT, right?  We were thin there last year and even with a couple of FA signings, it still isn't very deep.  If we have a couple of injuries there, Chinn may be moving back to LB full time.

Yea the long snapper pick is a head scratcher. 

[hepcat]

1 hour ago, 45catfan said:

I wanted us to spend a day 3 pick on LB in the draft.  It would have been better than, say, a LS and a 3rd string DT, right?  We were thin there last year and even with a couple of FA signings, it still isn't very deep.  If we have a couple of injuries there, Chinn may be moving back to LB full time.

yea this is what happens when you ignore a key position of need in the draft. LB is one of the worst position groups on the team. What a fall from just a few seasons ago when it was probably the best position group.