Dezmen Southward
 Southward with the Atlanta Falcons | |||||||||||||
| No. -- Free agent | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position: | Safety | ||||||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||||||
| Date of birth: | October 1, 1990 | ||||||||||||
| Place of birth: | Indianapolis, Indiana | ||||||||||||
| Height: | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | ||||||||||||
| Weight: | 211 lb (96 kg) | ||||||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||||||
| High school: | Fort Lauderdale (FL) Aquinas | ||||||||||||
| College: | Wisconsin | ||||||||||||
| NFL Draft: | 2014 / Round: 3 / Pick: 68 | ||||||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||||||
| Career highlights and awards | |||||||||||||
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| Career NFL statistics as of Week 8, 2015 | |||||||||||||
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Dezmen Southward (born October 1, 1990) is an American football free safety who is currently a free agent. He played college football at Wisconsin, and was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the third round of the 2014 NFL Draft.
High School
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 2009-2013. 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. In week 11 of the 2014 season, Southward picked off Cleveland Browns quarterback Brian Hoyer for his first career interception.[3]
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".[4]
Southward was waived by the Falcons on November 6, 2015, after appearing in just 3 games for the Falcons.[5]
Indianapolis Colts
Southward was signed to the Indianapolis Colts' practice squad on November 10, 2015.[6] On August 30, 2016, Southward was placed on injured reserve.[7] On September 7, 2016, he was released from their injured reserve with an injury settlement.
References
- ↑ St. Thomas Aquinas caps 'special' season with national title
- ↑ Dezmen Southward - Yahoo Sports
- ↑ "Brian Hoyer overcomes 3 INTs as Browns win on Billy Cundiff late FG". espn.go.com. November 23, 2015. Retrieved November 10, 2015.
- ↑ McClure, Vaughn (September 1, 2015). "Former Falcons third-rounder Dezmen Southward hopes not to be cut". espn.go.com. Retrieved November 10, 2015.
- ↑ McClure, Vaughn (November 6, 2015). "Falcons waive former third-round pick Dezmen Southward". espn.go.com. Retrieved November 10, 2015.
- ↑ "Indianapolis Colts make practice squad moves". colts.com. November 10, 2015. Retrieved November 10, 2015.
- ↑ "Indianapolis Colts make roster moves". blogs.colts.com. August 30, 2016. Retrieved August 30, 2016.