National Football League

Panthers undrafted rookie Neblett overcomes odds

Published Sep. 6, 2010 5:37 p.m. ET

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There are so many reasons Andre Neblett shouldn't be on an NFL roster.

Poor grades in high school left him lightly recruited. Struggling Temple took a chance, but the coaches switched him from linebacker to defensive tackle, a position he not only never played, but hated.

While he eventually thrived there and helped turn around the Owls' moribund program, he went undrafted because of concerns he wasn't big enough. He signed with Carolina, but appeared to have little chance to stick around as the Panthers prepared to trim 22 players on Saturday.

Then the cut list came out and on it was veteran Tank Tyler, who some thought would start at defensive tackle. Corvey Irvin, a third-round pick just a year earlier, was waived, too.

Neblett? He became only the fourth undrafted rookie to make the team in coach John Fox's nine seasons in Carolina.

Oh, and he might be the only defensive lineman the Panthers have had who can do a back flip.

''Everything has been going my way,'' Neblett said.

Neblett spoke Monday at Bank of America Stadium, which serves as a reminder of how far he's come. He was a true freshman here learning a new position in 2006 when Temple lost to Clemson 63-9 on the way to a 1-11 season.

''There's nothing you can do to him in training camp that would bother him after what he's been through here,'' Owls coach Al Golden said.

Golden talks proudly of how Neblett not only became an elite, if undersized, college defensive tackle, he morphed into a good student and was part of a class that helped Temple to its first bowl game in 30 years last season.

''He was a kid who was playing fullback in high school, so he's only really played nose guard these four years,'' Golden said. ''He's gotten stronger every year. He's gotten smarter in terms of football intelligence. He's gotten tougher every year and he's gotten in better condition every year.

''I'm not surprised that he made (the Panthers). I'm surprised he didn't get drafted. What a deal to get him undrafted.''

Panthers general manager Marty Hurney echoed that sentiment in explaining how the 6-foot, 295-pound Neblett made the final roster after collecting six tackles in the preseason. While undersized, he had attributes the Panthers are keen on these days. He's young, speedy and athletic enough to be able to do back flips.

''Every time he was in games he made plays,'' Hurney said. ''Every time he was in there he made something happen.''

Yet bad grades at Rahway (N.J.) High School nearly derailed his career before it began. Golden saw potential, but angered him when he moved him to the line.

''I wasn't very happy about it,'' Neblett said. ''I didn't know much about the position. I thought it was just line up and try to knock the guy as far back as you can. But over the years I learned that there's lot more things that go on with the D-line. Being able to have good footwork, good hands, being able to get in that stance and know exactly what you've got to do. Read blocks and things like that.

''It really interested me and now I love it. I can't get enough of it.''

Growing comfortable in Temple's 4-3 defense was one of the reasons he was drawn to Carolina, which runs the same scheme. Another reason he chose the Panthers over Pittsburgh, New Orleans, Cincinnati and the New York Giants when he wasn't drafted was that his mother, Protronya Dorsey, lives about three hours away in Allendale, S.C.

But perhaps the biggest incentive was the opportunity after the Panthers watched three starters on the defensive line leave in the offseason.

''Knowing they really didn't have any big names,'' Neblett said. ''They got rid of (Julius) Peppers and I knew I could have an opportunity to come in and make the team.''

Neblett, who never missed a game in college, made the most of it. He buried himself in the playbook, honed up on his technique, and outworked his competition. It allowed him to overcome the odds and give him a chance to become part of Carolina's defensive tackle rotation ahead of guys like Tyler and Irvin, who had better resumes.

''I've learned it's about preparing. Not a lot of guys do that,'' Neblett said. ''Being on time, being prepared, taking notes, always in the classroom. Being able to always outwork guys out there on the field and fight through what (Golden) called 'fifth quarter.'

''Just keep pushing. Coach told me it wasn't going to be easy.''

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