Kawann Short

Kawann Short
Name	Kawann Short
Number	90
Position	Defensive tackle
Birth date	7 September 1989
Birth place	Charlotte, North Carolina
Weight lb	309
College	Purdue
Draftyear	2013
Draftpick	44
Pastteams	* Carolina Panthers (2013)* * Indianapolis Colts (2013)* * Carolina Panthers (2014–2019) * Detroit Lions (2020)
Highlights	* First-team All-American (2012) * First-team All-Big Ten (2012) * Pro Bowl (2015)

Kawann Short is an American former professional American football defensive tackle who played in the National Football League (NFL). A standout at Purdue University in the Big Ten Conference, he was selected in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft and became a key interior lineman for the Carolina Panthers during their 2015 season that culminated in a trip to Super Bowl 50. Short earned individual accolades including a Pro Bowl selection and multiple All-Pro consideration while contributing to Panthers postseason runs.

Early life and high school

Born in Charlotte, North Carolina, Short attended Edgewater High School and later West Mecklenburg High School where he played high school football. During his high school career he competed against programs from South Point High School, Independence High School, and other region rivals in North Carolina leagues. He drew recruiting interest from Purdue University, UNC Charlotte, Clemson University, North Carolina State University, and Georgia Tech among collegiate programs scouting linemen in the Atlantic Coast Conference and Southeastern Conference regions.

College career

Short enrolled at Purdue University and played for the Purdue Boilermakers football program in the Big Ten Conference. After redshirting his freshman year, he developed under coaches including Joe Tiller-era staff alumni and later coordinators during the tenures of head coaches such as Danny Hope and Darrell Hazell. Short established himself as a run-stuffing interior tackle, compiling tackles and sacks while earning recognition from national outlets including Associated Press, Walter Camp Football Foundation, The Sporting News, and Pro Football Weekly. He was named a first-team All-Big Ten selection and recognized as a first-team All-American in 2012 by organizations such as AFCA and PFWA. Scouts from the National Football League Scouting Combine projected him as a top interior defensive lineman, with evaluations from ESPN, NFL Network, and CBS Sports informing his 2013 draft stock.

Professional career

Short was selected in the second round (44th overall) of the 2013 NFL Draft by the Carolina Panthers, after pre-draft workouts at the NFL Scouting Combine and Purdue Pro Day. He spent time on practice rosters early in his rookie year with the Panthers and the Indianapolis Colts before becoming a full-time contributor in 2014. Under head coaches Ron Rivera and defensive coordinators such as Sean McDermott (Panthers assistant lineage) and staff including Luke Kuechly's contemporaries, Short anchored the Panthers' interior line alongside teammates including Greg Hardy, Jonathan Stewart, Cam Newton, and fellow linemen like Charles Johnson. In 2015 his play helped the Panthers win the NFC South and reach Super Bowl 50 against the Denver Broncos; Short faced opponents including Peyton Manning, Von Miller, and the Broncos defensive front. He earned a Pro Bowl nod for the 2015 season and later signed contract extensions reflecting his role with the franchise. Injuries, including a torn Achilles tendon, affected his later seasons, and he spent time on injured reserve lists managed under the NFL's collective bargaining protocols. Short signed with the Detroit Lions in 2020 but saw limited regular-season action before roster moves later in his career.

NFL statistics

Short's professional statistics include recorded tackles, sacks, forced fumbles, and pass deflections accrued across regular season and postseason play with the Carolina Panthers and appearances associated with the Indianapolis Colts and Detroit Lions organizations. Statistical summaries were maintained by outlets and databases including Pro-Football-Reference.com, NFL.com, ESPN, CBS Sports, and Sporting News, and compiled under categories used in NFL record-keeping such as tackles, quarterback pressures, sacks, and games played. His career totals reflect production typical of a starting defensive tackle in 4-3 and 3-4 front schemes deployed by NFL coaching staffs including Ron Rivera's defensive game plans.

Playing style and honors

Short was known for powerful interior rushes, gap control, and run-stopping ability, traits evaluated by analysts at ESPN, Bleacher Report, and The Athletic. He combined size and leverage favored in scouting reports from NFL Network analysts and received honors such as All-Pro consideration, a Pro Bowl selection, and All-Big Ten and All-American designations at Purdue University. Opposing offensive linemen from teams like the New England Patriots, Green Bay Packers, Seattle Seahawks, Atlanta Falcons, and New Orleans Saints frequently faced Short in divisional and interconference matchups. Coaches and commentators compared his play to interior defensive linemen discussed in NFL personnel discussions, and he was included in lists and rankings by Pro Football Focus and other analytics organizations.

Personal life and philanthropy

Off the field, Short engaged in community initiatives and charitable activities in partnership with team foundations such as the Carolina Panthers Foundation and league programs affiliated with the NFL Foundation and NFL Players Association. He participated in youth football camps and community outreach alongside Panthers teammates including Cam Newton and staff community liaisons. Short's personal biography notes family ties to the Charlotte, North Carolina and Indianapolis, Indiana communities during his professional transitions. He has been involved in charitable outreach featured by local media outlets such as Charlotte Observer, regional television affiliates, and team community relations departments.

Category:1989 births Category:American football defensive tackles Category:Carolina Panthers players Category:Detroit Lions players Category:Purdue Boilermakers football players Category:Pro Bowl players