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D. J. Wonnum

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Dennis O. "D. J." Wonnum Jr (born October 31, 1997) is an American professional football linebacker for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the South Carolina Gamecocks.

D. J. Wonnum
refer to caption
Wonnum at South Carolina
No. 98 – Carolina Panthers
Position:Linebacker
Personal information
Born: (1997-10-31) October 31, 1997 (age 27)
Stone Mountain, Georgia, U.S.
Height:6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
Weight:258 lb (117 kg)
Career information
High school:Stephenson
(Stone Mountain, Georgia)
College:South Carolina (2016–2019)
NFL draft:2020 / round: 4 / pick: 117
Career history
Roster status:Reserve/PUP
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics as of 2023
Total tackles:171
Sacks:23.0
Forced fumbles:2
Fumble recoveries:1
Pass deflections:11
Defensive touchdowns:1
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Early life

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Wonnum grew up in Stone Mountain, Georgia, and attended Stephenson High School.[1] As a senior, he was named All-Region after recording 38 tackles with 11 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks. Wonnum initially committed to play college football at Iowa State before de-committing after a coaching change. He subsequently committed to attend Indiana before de-committing a second time and signing to play at South Carolina.[2]

College career

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Wonnum played in all of South Carolina's games as a true freshman, recording 32 tackles including 3.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks.[3] Wonnum was named a permanent team captain going into his sophomore year and finished the season with 57 tackles and led the team with 13.0 tackles for loss and 6.0 sacks.[4][5] He injured his ankle during the Gamecocks' season opener as a junior, and only played in five games. He compiled 11 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss and two sacks during the injury-shortened season.[6][7] As a senior, Wonnum recorded 37 tackles with 9.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks with three quarterback hurries, a forced fumble, one blocked kick, and an interception and was named second-team All-Southeastern Conference.[8][9]

Professional career

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Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
6 ft 4+5⁄8 in
(1.95 m) 		258 lb
(117 kg) 		34+1⁄8 in
(0.87 m) 		10+1⁄2 in
(0.27 m)		 4.73 s 1.70 s 2.77 s 4.44 s 7.25 s 34.5 in
(0.88 m)		 10 ft 3 in
(3.12 m)		 20 reps
All values from NFL Combine[10][11]

Minnesota Vikings

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Wonnum was selected by the Minnesota Vikings with the 117th overall pick in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL draft.[12]

In Week 4 against the Houston Texans, Wonnum recorded his first career sack on Deshaun Watson during the 31–23 win.[13] In Week 8 against the Green Bay Packers, Wonnum recorded a strip sack on Aaron Rodgers which was recovered by teammate Eric Wilson late in the fourth quarter to secure a 28–22 Vikings' win.[14] In Week 10 against the Chicago Bears on Monday Night Football, Wonnum recorded a sack on Nick Foles during the 19–13 win.[15]

On December 27, 2023, Wonnum was placed on the injured reserve list after suffering a season-ending torn quadricep in a week 16 game against the Detroit Lions the previous Sunday.[16][17]

Carolina Panthers

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On March 14, 2024, Wonnum signed a two-year deal with the Carolina Panthers.[18] He was placed on the reserve/PUP list to start the season.[19]

Personal life

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Wonnum's younger brother, Dylan, is a starting offensive lineman at South Carolina.[20]

References

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  1. ^ Vinel, Chris (February 27, 2020). "High school teammates hope to return to Atlanta". SI.com. Retrieved April 8, 2020.
  2. ^ Kornblut, Phil (January 24, 2016). "Gamecocks flip defensive end prospect Dennis Wonnum". The State. Retrieved April 8, 2020.
  3. ^ Stanley, Chris (August 1, 2017). "DJ Wonnum looks to build off a strong freshman season at South Carolina". GarnetAndBlackAttack.com. SB Nation. Retrieved April 8, 2020.
  4. ^ McLemore, Dwanye (December 17, 2017). "South Carolina football: Gamecocks name 2017 captains". The State. Retrieved April 8, 2020.
  5. ^ Hadley, Greg (August 12, 2019). "A healthy DJ Wonnum, deep Gamecock D-line will 'shock a lot of people'". The Greenville News. Retrieved April 8, 2020.
  6. ^ Cloninger, David (September 12, 2018). "South Carolina moves on without injured defensive star D.J. Wonnum". The Post and Courier. Retrieved April 8, 2020.
  7. ^ Hadley, Greg (March 6, 2019). "Medical redshirt still possible, but this Gamecock is treating 2019 as his senior year". The News & Observer. Retrieved April 8, 2020.
  8. ^ Ledbetter, D. Orlando (February 21, 2020). "NFL combine invitee: D.J. Wonnum, DL, Stephenson HS, South Carolina". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved April 8, 2020.
  9. ^ Miller, Makenzie (December 9, 2019). "Three Gamecocks named to All-SEC second-team". WACH.com. Retrieved April 8, 2020.
  10. ^ "D.J. Wonnum Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved November 14, 2022.
  11. ^ "2020 Draft Scout D.J. Wonnum, South Carolina NFL Draft Scout College Football Profile". draftscout.com. Retrieved November 14, 2022.
  12. ^ Del Bianco, Josh (April 25, 2020). "D.J. Wonnum drafted by Minnesota". WISTV. Retrieved April 26, 2020.
  13. ^ "Minnesota Vikings at Houston Texans - October 4th, 2020". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved October 6, 2020.
  14. ^ "Minnesota Vikings at Green Bay Packers - November 1st, 2020". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved November 3, 2020.
  15. ^ "Minnesota Vikings at Chicago Bears - November 16th, 2020". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved November 20, 2020.
  16. ^ Seifert, Kevin (December 24, 2023). "Hockenson among four key Vikings hurt in loss". ESPN.com. Retrieved December 27, 2023.
  17. ^ "The #Vikings have officially placed TE T.J. Hockenson and OLB D.J. Wonnum on IR". December 27, 2023.
  18. ^ Gantt, Darin (March 14, 2024). "Panthers agree to terms with DJ Wonnum". Panthers.com.
  19. ^ Gantt, Darin (August 27, 2024). "Panthers make moves to get to initial 53-man roster". Panthers.com.
  20. ^ Kendall, Josh (August 21, 2019). "How D.J. and Dylan Wonnum went from punching a hole in the wall to starting for South Carolina". The Athletic. Retrieved April 8, 2020.
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