Former Alabama Defender Signs With Carolina Panthers

Former Alabama defensive lineman LaBryan Ray is retiring to the National Football League after spending this past spring with the Philadelphia Stars in the USFL.

The Carolina Panthers are signing the former top recruit in the state of Alabama as training camp opened last week. Ray now returns to the NFL after spending the 2022 season on the New England Patriots practice squad roster.

Philadelphia Stars DT LaBryan Ray has signed with the Carolina Panthers 🌟 pic.twitter.com/4PdDM62qHN
— USFL (@USFL) July 31, 2023

In his single season with the Stars he recorded 10 tackles and three sacks as Philadelphia put up a 4-6 record.

Ray will now get a chance to make the rebuilding Carolina roster with the majority of camp still in front of him. The Panthers currently start Derrick Brown, Shy Tuttle and Deshawn Williams up front but the rotational roster positions appear to be wide open.

The James Clemens High School alum spent five seasons in Tuscaloosa and battled numerous injuries while at The Capstone. In 45 appearances for Alabama he tallied 76 tackles with six sacks and one forced fumble.

He joins former teammates Bradley Bozeman and Bryce Young in Carolina as the Panthers attempt to make hay in the wide open NFC South.

The Panthers open its preseason schedule on Saturday, Aug. 12 against the New York Jets, giving Alabama fans and Carolina fans their first chance to see all three in a Panthers uniform.

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