Former JCSU / DB Tries To Make It In Carolina

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Former Johnson C. Smith safety Reggie Sullivan is home for a chance at the NFL.

Sullivan, a 6-2, 218-pound cornerback signed with the Carolina Panthers on May 26. He is the second Golden Bull in school history to sign with Carolina, joining receiver Greg Clifton, who joined Carolina in 1995, the franchise’s inaugural season.

Sullivan, a Miami native who played at Hopewell High in Huntersville, transferred to JCSU from Winston-Salem State and played safety in 2007 for the Bulls. He recorded 21 tackles (14 solo), a sack and one interception in nine games. He'll compete for a job as a backup cornerback, where Richard Marshall inherits one position after the Panthers cut Ken Lucas in the offsesaon. Chris Gamble is the incumbent opposite Marshall.

“Reggie is hard working, mild-mannered, and a great team player,” said JCSU head coach Steve Aycock, who was the Bulls’ offensive line coach when Sullivan played there. "He’ll be an awesome fit for the Panthers’ organization. He’s smart, and he takes it off the chalkboard onto the playing field.”

Aycock lobbied the Panthers to give Sullivan, who played with the Tennessee Valley Vipers in the Arena 2 League last year, a tryout. Sullivan also relied on a higher authority.
“Reggie has been steadfast in prayer for this opportunity and I know he’ll make the most of it,” Aycock said.

Carolina has 29 rookies under contract on its roster, excluding seven college players drafted in April.

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