Kenny Dyson
 Dyson with the Houston Gamblers in 2026 | |||||
| No. 54 – Minnesota Vikings | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Outside linebacker | ||||
| Roster status | Practice squad | ||||
| Personal information | |||||
| Born | June 27, 2001 Stamford, Connecticut, U.S. | ||||
| Listed height | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | ||||
| Listed weight | 235 lb (107 kg) | ||||
| Career information | |||||
| High school | King (Stamford) | ||||
| College | Bryant (2019–2023) | ||||
| NFL draft | 2024: undrafted | ||||
| Career history | |||||
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* Offseason or practice squad member only | |||||
| Awards and highlights | |||||
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| Career NFL statistics | |||||
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Kenny Dyson Jr. (born June 27, 2001) is an American professional football outside linebacker for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Bryant Bulldogs and was signed by the Carolina Panthers as an undrafted free agent in 2024. He has also played for the Houston Gamblers of the United Football League (UFL).
College career
[edit]During his five-year career at Bryant from 2019 through 2023, Dyson appeared in 44 games with 30 starts, where he totaled 104 tackles with 33.5 being for a loss, 24.5 sacks, six pass deflections, an interception, and three forced fumbles for the Bulldogs. He was named All-Northeast Conference (NEC) Second Team in 2021, All-Big South Conference First Team in 2022, and to the Big South-Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) First Team in 2023.[1][2]
Professional career
[edit]| Height | Weight | Arm length | Hand span | Wingspan | 40-yard dash | 10-yard split | 20-yard split | 20-yard shuttle | Three-cone drill | Vertical jump | Broad jump | Bench press |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 ft 3+1⁄2 in (1.92 m) | 244 lb (111 kg) | 33+3⁄8 in (0.85 m) | 9+3⁄8 in (0.24 m) | 6 ft 7+1⁄2 in (2.02 m) | 5.00 s | 1.67 s | 2.75 s | 4.68 s | 7.52 s | 30.5 in (0.77 m) | 9 ft 7 in (2.92 m) | 23 reps |
| All values from Pro Day[3] | ||||||||||||
Carolina Panthers
[edit]After not being selected in the 2024 NFL draft, Dyson signed with the Carolina Panthers as an undrafted free agent.[4] He was released by the Panthers during final roster cuts on August 27, 2024, but signed to the team's practice squad the next day.[5][6] On November 24, Dyson was elevated to the main roster, where he made his NFL debut the following day, playing eight total snaps versus the Kansas City Chiefs.[7][8]
Dyson signed a reserve/future contract with the Panthers on January 6, 2025.[9] On May 9, Dyson was waived by the Panthers.[10]
Houston Gamblers
[edit]On February 7, 2026, Dyson signed with the Houston Gamblers of the United Football League (UFL).[11]
Minnesota Vikings
[edit]Dyson was signed by the Minnesota Vikings on August 17, 2026.[12] On August 30, he was waived with an injury designation by the Vikings as part of the final roster cuts.[13] On September 7, Dyson was re-signed to the practice squad.[14] On September 9, the practice squad signing was disallowed by the league due to injury settlement rules and Dyson subsequently became a free agent. [15] He was signed to the Vikings practice squad on September 29.[16]
References
[edit]- ↑ "Kenny Dyson Jr". Bryant Bulldogs University Athletics. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
- ↑ "Kenny Dyson Stats". The Football Database. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
- ↑ "Kenny Dyson College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
- ↑ Steele, Ian (April 29, 2024). "Bryant Defensive End Kenny Dyson Jr Signs with Panthers". ABC6.com. Archived from the original on April 29, 2024. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
- ↑ Gantt, Darin. "Panthers make moves to get to initial 53-man roster". Panthers.com. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
- ↑ Gantt, Darin. "Nine players signed to practice squad". Panthers.com. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
- ↑ Rizzuti, Anthony. "Panthers announce handful of roster moves ahead of Week 12 matchup vs. Chiefs". Panthers Wire. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
- ↑ "Kenny Dyson Game Logs". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
- ↑ "Panthers sign 10 players to reserve/future contracts on Monday". Panthers Wire. USA Today. January 6, 2025.
- ↑ "Panthers waive outside linebacker on Friday". Panthers.com. May 9, 2025. Retrieved May 10, 2025.
- ↑ Heilman, Michael (February 8, 2026). "Houston Gamblers sign DE Kenny Dyson Jr., release DB LaMareon James". BGMSportsTrax. Retrieved February 8, 2026.
- ↑ Kleifield, Rob (August 17, 2026). "Vikings Sign OLB Kenny Dyson, Waive Rookie Arden Walker". Vikings.com. Retrieved August 17, 2026.
- ↑ Kleifield, Rob (August 30, 2026). "Vikings Set Initial 53-Man Roster for 2026". Vikings.com. Minnesota Vikings. Retrieved August 30, 2026.
- ↑ "Kenny Dyson: Joins Minnesota practice squad". CBSSports.com. Retrieved September 8, 2026.
- ↑ "NFL stops Vikings from signing Kenny Dyson to practice squad after he was waived-injured". profootballtalk.com. Retrieved September 9, 2026.
- ↑ Peters, Craig (September 29, 2026). "Vikings Roster Moves Include Signing Kyle Van Noy & Max Brosmer to 53; Josh Oliver to IR". Vikings.com. Minnesota Vikings. Retrieved September 29, 2026.