Kony Ealy

TRANSACTION HISTORY:

• Drafted 60th overall in the 2014 NFL Draft by the Carolina Panthers.

COLLEGE:

2013 SEASON:

• An explosive playmaker who has a good combination of pass rush and run stop abilities
• Produced 93 tackles, 27.5 tackles for loss, 14 sacks, 19 quarterback pressures, four forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, one interception and 13 passes defensed
• Entered the NFL following junior season

2012 SEASON:

• Established himself as an impact player in his sophomore season that saw him make 10 starts in 12 appearances overall
• Ended the year with 37 tackles, but his play was more productive than just that, as he ranked 3rd on the team in tackles for loss (10.0 for 39 yards), 4th in sacks (3.5 for 28 yards), 2nd in pass break ups (7), and 2nd in quarterback pressures (5)
• Twice had season-high totals of five tackles, including in the season finale at Texas A&M
• Racked up a pair of TFLs in that A&M contest, as well
• Had a monster season opener against Southeastern Louisiana, finishing the contest with four solo tackles and a sack while also breaking up a pass and forcing a fumble that was recovered by teammate Michael Sam for a touchdown
• Assisted on a pair of tackles, including one for a two yard loss, against Georgia while adding a pair of QB hurries
• Finished the Arizona State game with four tackles, adding a half sack and 1.5 tackles for loss
• Had a tackle for loss against South Carolina and finished the game with three tackles
• Had a sack and a pass breakup in the Central Florida game
• Had four tackles and a QB sack of nine yards and 1.5 TFL, resulting in -10 yards against Vanderbilt
• Had two tackles and a pass break-up against Alabama
• Was fourth on the team with five tackles (three solo, two assists) with 0.5 TFL and a QB hit in the Tigers’ homecoming win over Kentucky
• Had a great game in the Tigers’ 14-7 loss at Florida with a tackle (solo for a loss) with a pair of pass deflections
• Posted two tackles (one solo, one assist) with a pass-break-up and a quarterback hit in the Tigers’ 51-48, four overtime win at Tennessee

2011 SEASON:

• Made solid contributions as a redshirt freshman, making 13 tackles in 12 games overall
• Ended the year by making a pair of tackles against North Carolina in the Independence Bowl, including a half-tackle for loss
• Earned his first career start at Baylor
• Notched 3.0 tackles for loss on the year, including 1 QB sack of 8 yards
• Recorded his first career sack against Texas Tech
• Also had tackles for loss against Baylor, Texas Tech and Miami (Ohio)
• Recorded a season high 3 tackles against Texas A&M
• Also had 2 tackles against Oklahoma State

2010 SEASON:

• Showed his considerable athletic skills all throughout the season, working as part of the defensive scout team, while also getting bigger and stronger in the Tiger strength program
• Won the team’s defensive back-up player of the week award for his work in preparation for McNeese State.

HIGH SCHOOL:

• Rivals.com ranks him as the No. 3 player in the state of Missouri, as well as the nation’s No. 11 weakside defensive end prospect, in addition to considering him one of the nation’s top 250 prep players overall
• Scout.com ranks him as the nation’s #13 defensive end prospect, and says he is a good athlete who does well in space and who has good speed in pursuit
• Ranked as the nation’s No. 49 defensive end prospect by ESPN.com
• Was a first-team all-state, all-conference, all-region and all-district selection after his senior season which saw him amass 104 total tackles, 28 tackles for loss, 12.5 quarterback sacks, 31 quarterback pressures, 5 forced fumbles, 7 pass break ups, 4 blocked kicks
• Also managed 27 receptions for 596 yards and 6 touchdowns on offense, while he also ran for 162 yards and 2 TDs, as well
• Notched 89 tackles as a junior, including 31 tackles for loss, and 10.5 quarterback sacks while adding 21 quarterback hurries
• On offense as a junior, caught 22 passes for 501 yards and 3 touchdowns
• Is also a standout on the basketball court for New Madrid, where he has won all-state, and numerous all-district, all-region and all-conference honors
• High school coach – Arlen Pixley

PERSONAL:

• Parents – Willie Ealy & Nettie Jones
• Interested in studying business management at Mizzou
• Lists hobbies as horseback riding, fishing, basketball, movies and reading
• Chose Mizzou over Nebraska, Georgia Tech, Arkansas, Mississippi and Illinois, among others.