Utah Utes football: Panthers take R.J. Stanford in NFL draft

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Carolina Panthers have picked Utah defensive back R.J. Stanford in the seventh round of the NFL draft.

The 5-foot-11, 184-pound Stanford had 46 tackles, seven pass break-ups and an interceptions last season. The Panthers took Stanford with the 223rd overall pick and have one more pick in the seventh round.

Stanford is the fourth defensive player chosen by the Panthers. Carolina picked South Carolina linebacker Eric Norwood in the fourth round, Mississippi defensive end Greg Hardy in the sixth and Texas A&M defensive back Jordan Pugh in the sixth.

The Panthers also drafted Baylor receiver David Gettis and Cincinnati quarterback Tony Pike in the sixth round.