CHARLOTTE — The Carolina Panthers have signed sixth-round draft choice (181st overall) Nick Hayden from Wisconsin, the team announced. A 6-foot-4, 292-pound defensive tackle, Hayden played in 44 games, starting the final 39 contests of his career, for the Badgers. He compiled 132 tackles, 10 sacks, six quarterback pressures, six fumble recoveries, which tie for the third most in school history, six passes defensed and two blocked kicks.
Hayden was twice named All-Big Ten Conference honorable mention. He earned the recognition as a senior in 2007 when he recorded 48 tackles and 4.5 sacks and as a sophomore in 2005 when he produced career highs of 56 tackles and 5.5 sacks. Hayden becomes the first of the Panthers nine draft choices to sign.
