Former Louisville defensive star becomes surprise gem and earns Panthers roster spot

Former Louisville football star Corey Thornton learned that his NFL dreams would come true as the undrafted rookie made the Carolina Panthers' 53-man roster. The Panthers picked up the former Cardinal defensive back after he quickly became one of Ron English's star defensive backs in 2024.

Thornton transferred to Louisville for just one season, having played his first four years of college football at UCF. Before his time with the Cardinals, he started in 38 games and logged 139 total tackles and four interceptions. However, his breakout season came with the Cardinals, and now he didn't just make the Panthers roster, but he is emerging as "one of the standouts of camp", per Jordan Schultz.

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Corey Thornton earns spot on Carolina Panthers 53-man roster

Before his time with the Panthers, the 6-foot-1 200 200-pound defensive back was an All-ACC honorable mention with the Louisville Cardinals. He logged 38 total tackles, including 27 solo tackles. He also earned two interceptions, six pass deflections, and emerged as one of Louisville's lockdown defenders.

He has now transitioned from the dominant 2024 season into the Panthers' offseason and three preseason games, securing a roster spot for Dave Canales with the Carolina Panthers. Thornton has secured seven tackles and one pass deflection in the Panthers' three preseason games and has become a "real gem."

Thornton will now look to carry this momentum into the Panthers' regular season and hopefully be the spark that the defense has needed for years. Thornton's first regular-season game will take place on Sunday, September 7, against the Jacksonville Jaguars at 1 p.m. EST.

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