Dezmen Southward

Dezmen Southward

refer to caption Southward with the Atlanta Falcons
No. 41 Indianapolis Colts
Position:	Free safety
Personal information
Date of birth:	(1990-10-01) October 1, 1990
Place of birth:	Indianapolis, Indiana
Height:
Weight:
Career information
High school:	Fort Lauderdale (FL) Aquinas
College:	Wisconsin
NFL draft:	2014 / Round: 3 / Pick: 68
Career history
Atlanta Falcons (2014–2015) Indianapolis Colts (2015–present)
Roster status:	Active
Career highlights and awards
Big Ten Champion (2011, 2012)
Career NFL statistics as of Week 8, 2015
Tackles: 24 Interceptions: 1 Sacks: 1.0 Pass deflections: 2 Forced fumbles: 0 Player stats at NFL.com

Dezmen Southward (born October 1, 1990) is an American football free safety for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Wisconsin, and was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the third round of the 2014 NFL Draft.

High School

Southward attended St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where he did not start playing organized football until his senior year. He was a starting defensive back for the team, helping lead the team to a National Championship. He was also a key member of the school's basketball team, being named a three-year captain and two-time team MVP.

He was considered a two-star recruit by Rivals.com.

College career

He accepted a scholarship to the University of Wisconsin where he was a member of the Wisconsin Badgers football team from 2009-2013. He set a school record by playing in 54 games, never missing a game over his four-year career. He started 30 games for the Badgers, recording 152 total tackles and 11.5 tackles for loss, forcing four fumbles, adding two interceptions and breaking up 11 passes.

Professional career

Atlanta Falcons

Southward was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the third round (68th overall) of the 2014 NFL Draft. In week 11 of the 2014 season, Southward picked off Cleveland Browns quarterback Brian Hoyer for his first career interception.

During the 2015 offseason, the Atlanta Falcons hired Dan Quinn as their head coach, replacing the outgoing Mike Smith. Quinn quickly changed Southward to a cornerback, from his natural safety position, and praised Southward's "speed and length".

Southward was waived by the Falcons on November 6, 2015, after appearing in just 3 games for the Falcons.

Indianapolis Colts

Southward was signed to the Indianapolis Colts' practice squad on November 10, 2015.

External links

• Wisconsin Badgers bio