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Panthers select defensive tackle Daviyon Nixon in fifth round

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CHARLOTTE — The Panthers selected Iowa defensive tackle Daviyon Nixon in the fifth round (158th overall) of the NFL Draft on Saturday.

Carolina's second defensive selection of the draft, Nixon earned first-team All-America honors and was the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year in 2020. He led the conference in tackles for loss and ranked fourth in the conference in sacks.

The 6-foot-3, 310-pound redshirt junior began his collegiate career at Iowa Western Community College and was considered a top junior college prospect before joining the Hawkeyes. Against Penn State last season, Nixon notched a 71-yard interception return for a touchdown.

Nixon led Iowa with 13.5 tackles for loss and tied for the team lead with 5.5 sacks.

"It came as a total shock, honestly," Nixon told the media on Saturday. "I had no idea who was gonna pick me. But I'm really excited to be here. Personally, I feel like you guys are getting the best defensive tackle in the draft. A guy who's fought through a lot of trials and tribulations to get here."

View photos of defensive tackle Daviyon Nixon from his playing days at Iowa.

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