CHARLOTTE – The Panthers followed up their draft selections by agreeing to terms to four undrafted free agents. The deals will become official when the players sign their contracts upon reporting for rookie minicamp May 10.
RB Elijah Holyfield: The son of former heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield made a name for himself this past season, topping 1,000 rushing yards for the University of Georgia. A 4.78 40-yard dash at the combine hurt his stock, but most thought he would be drafted. When he wasn’t, the Panthers pounced to sign one of the hardest-charging ballcarriers in the draft class.
S Corrion Ballard: The 6-foot-3, 200-pounder split time between the safety spots in 2018 and was honorable mention All-PAC-12. Ballard followed in the footsteps of some famous Panthers (Steve Smith, Jordan Gross) by starting for two years at the University of Utah after two years at Blinn College, where Cam Newton once played.
WR Damion Jeanpiere Jr.: A three-year starter at Nichols State, the 6-foot-1, 185-pounder ranks second in school history with 2,324 receiving yards. He’s a breakaway threat, averaging 18.2 yards on 128 receptions while scoring 14 touchdowns along the way. Jeanpiere also has experience as a punt returner.
LB Jordan Kunaszyk: A tackling machine with a nose for the ball, Kunaszyk racked up 148 tackles as a senior to rank eighth in Cal history with 273 (Ron Rivera is fifth with 336). Kunaszyk enjoyed a 22-tackle game against UCLA as a senior and finished his career with 18 tackles for loss including 7.5 sacks, as well as four interceptions and six forced fumbles.
VIew photos of Carolina's four undrafted additions: running back Eliah Holyfield, safety Corrion Ballard, linebacker Jordan Kunaszyk and wide receiver Damion Jeanpiere Jr.
Georgia running back Elijah Holyfield (13) leaps on a carry in the second half of the Sugar Bowl NCAA college football game against Texas in New Orleans, Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2019. (AP Photo/Rusty Costanza)
Georgia running back Elijah Holyfield (13) stiff arms Kentucky safety Mike Edwards (7) during the second half an NCAA college football game in Lexington, Ky., Saturday, Nov. 3, 2018. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)
Utah defensive back Corrion Ballard (15) lines up for a play during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Washington State in Pullman, Wash., Saturday, Sept. 29, 2018. (AP Photo/Young Kwak)
Utah defensive back Corrion Ballard (15) intercepts the ball intended for Arizona wide receiver Tony Ellison (9) in the second half during an NCAA college football game, Friday, Sept. 22, 2017, in Tucson, Ariz. Utah defeated Arizona 30-24. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Southern California wide receiver Deontay Burnett, top, catches the ball while being hit by Utah defensive back Corrion Ballard during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Los Angeles, Saturday, Oct. 14, 2017. USC won 28-27. (AP Photo/Kelvin Kuo)
California linebacker Jordan Kunaszyk (59) stands on the field during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Washington State in Pullman, Wash., Saturday, Nov. 12, 2016. (AP Photo/Young Kwak)
Colorado Buffaloes running back Phillip Lindsay (23) is tackled by California Golden Bears linebacker Jordan Kunaszyk (59) in the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 28, 2017, in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
California linebacker Jordan Kunaszyk (59) intercepts a pass during the second overtime of an NCAA college football game against Oregon in Berkeley, Calif., Saturday, Oct. 22, 2016. California won 52-49. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
Nicholls State University Football vs Eastern Washington University 2018
(Misty Leigh McElroy/Nicholls State University) 12/1/18
