BALTIMORE, Md. -- Former Morgan State defensive tackle Lonnie Harvey has signed as a free agent with the Carolina Panthers.
Harvey joined about a dozen or more undrafted free agents signed by the Panthers, and became the first Bear selected by the Carolina Panthers in franchise history.
Harvey, a 6-foot-4, 345-pounder, was the only free agent D-lineman signed by the Panthers to join camp. The Baltimore (Md.) native had great workouts and could turn out to be one of the sleepers of the 2009 Draft Class.
Among the other undrafted free agents to join the Panthers and take on the role of longshots to make the 53-man roster include QB, Louisville, Hunter Cantwell, OT Gerald Cadogan, Penn State; LB Brit Miller, Illinois; RB Jamall Lee, Bishop's College (Canada); WR/KR Larry Beavers, Wesley College; WR Jason Chery, Louisiana-Lafayette (Jake Delhomme's alma mater); OG C.J. Davis, Pittsburgh; OC Keith Grey, Connecticut; TE Kevin Brock, Rutgers; and LB Anthony Heygood, Purdue.
“I'm happy for him that he has the opportunity to play at the next level,” said MSU head coach Donald Hill-Eley. “It's always good to have one of our student-athletes achieve his dream, but it's even more important when you get a local kid who grew up in the backyard, to use Morgan State to reach his goals.”
In 2008, Harvey was snubbed from the first-team or second-team All-Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference selection, despite being one of the best run-stuffers in the league. As a senior, he finished with 28 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, a forced fumble and a sack. He also recorded an interception return for 33 yards. Harvey was a key component in leading one of the most dominating defensive units in the Football Championship Series (Formally Division IAA). Morgan State led the FCS in total defense giving up less than 213.4 yards per game and limited teams to 94.7 rushing yards per game.
In the 2007, Harvey recorded with 36 tackles, six tackles for loss, three sacks, and a blocked field goal.
Harvey was a standout lineman at Edmondson High School (Baltimore).
