Not only were defensive lineman DeShawn Williams and pass rusher Shaq Lawson both born in Central, S.C., but they also played their high school ball together at D.W. Daniel and their college ball together at Clemson University. And now, they’re Carolina Panthers teammates.
As announced this evening, the team officially signed Williams to their active roster and Lawson to their practice squad. The moves added to a busy Tuesday for the Panthers, who signed offensive lineman Cade Mays and outside linebacker Thomas Incoom to the active roster just hours earlier.
Williams, who appeared in 16 games for Carolina in 2023, returned to the team as a member of the practice squad back on Sept. 10. The sixth-year veteran was elevated to the game day roster in Weeks 3 and 4, where he amassed two tackles over 53 defensive snaps.
Lawson, a first-round pick of the Buffalo Bills from the 2016 NFL draft, has recorded 26.0 career sacks in eight seasons.
