{{Short description|American football player (born 2001)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=March 2025}} {{Use American English|date=March 2025}} {{Infobox NFL biography | name = Kenny Dyson | image =File:Kenny Dyson.jpg | image_size = | alt = | caption =Dyson with the Houston Gamblers in 2026 | current_team =Houston Gamblers | number =55 | position = Linebacker | birth_date = {{birth date and age|2001|6|27}} | birth_place = Stamford, Connecticut, U.S. | height_ft = 6 | height_in = 3 | weight_lb = 235 | high_school = King School (Stamford) | college = Bryant (2019–2023) | undraftedyear = 2024 | pastteams = * Carolina Panthers ({{NFL Year|2024}}) * Houston Gamblers ({{UFL Year|2026}}–present) | status =Active | statseason = | statweek = | statlabel1 = Total tackles | statvalue1 = 2 | statlabel2 = Sacks | statvalue2 = | statlabel3 = Fumble recoveries | statvalue3 = | highlights = * First-team All-Big South (2022) * First-team All-Big South-OVC (2023) * Second-team All-NEC (2021) | pfr = DysoKe01 }}
'''Kenny Dyson Jr.''' (born June 27, 2001) is an American professional football linebacker for the Houston Gamblers of the United Football League (UFL). He played college football for the Bryant Bulldogs.
==College career== 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.<ref>{{cite web |title=Kenny Dyson Jr. |url=https://bryantbulldogs.com/sports/football/roster/kenny-dyson-jr-/11813 |website=Bryant Bulldogs University Athletics |access-date=November 26, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Kenny Dyson Stats |url=https://www.footballdb.com/players/kenny-dyson-dysonke02?src=search |website=The Football Database |access-date=November 26, 2024}}</ref>
==Professional career== {{NFL predraft | height ft = 6 | height in = 3 1/2 | weight = 244 | dash = 5.00 | ten split = 1.67 | twenty split = 2.75 | shuttle = 4.68 | cone drill = 7.52 | vertical = 30.5 | broad ft = 9 | broad in = 7 | bench = 23 | arm span = 33 3/8 | hand span = 9 3/8 | note = All values from Pro Day<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=1056591&DraftYear=2024 |title=Kenny Dyson College Football Profile |website=DraftScout.com |access-date=November 26, 2024}}</ref> }}
=== Carolina Panthers === After not being selected in the 2024 NFL draft, Dyson signed with the Carolina Panthers as an undrafted free agent.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Steele |first1=Ian |title=Bryant Defensive End Kenny Dyson Jr Signs with Panthers |url=https://www.abc6.com/bryant-defensive-end-kenny-dyson-jr-signs-with-panthers/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240429024654/https://www.abc6.com/bryant-defensive-end-kenny-dyson-jr-signs-with-panthers/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 29, 2024 |website=ABC6.com |date=April 29, 2024 |access-date=November 26, 2024}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Gantt |first1=Darin |title=Panthers make moves to get to initial 53-man roster |url=https://www.panthers.com/news/panthers-make-moves-to-get-to-initial-53-man-roster |website=Panthers.com |access-date=November 26, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Gantt |first1=Darin |title=Nine players signed to practice squad |url=https://www.panthers.com/news/nine-players-signed-to-practice-squad |website=Panthers.com |access-date=November 26, 2024}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Rizzuti |first1=Anthony |title=Panthers announce handful of roster moves ahead of Week 12 matchup vs. Chiefs |url=https://pantherswire.usatoday.com/2024/11/23/panthers-announce-handful-of-roster-moves-ahead-of-week-12-matchup-vs-chiefs/ |website=Panthers Wire |access-date=November 26, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Kenny Dyson Game Logs |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/D/DysoKe01.htm |website=Pro Football Reference |access-date=November 26, 2024}}</ref>
Dyson signed a reserve/future contract with the Panthers on January 6, 2025.<ref>{{cite web|title=Panthers sign 10 players to reserve/future contracts on Monday|url=https://pantherswire.usatoday.com/2025/01/06/panthers-sign-10-players-reserve-future-contracts/|work=Panthers Wire|publisher=USA Today|date=January 6, 2025}}</ref> On May 9, Dyson was waived by the Panthers.<ref>{{Cite web |date=9 May 2025 |title=Panthers waive outside linebacker on Friday |url=https://www.panthers.com/news/panthers-waive-outside-linebacker-on-friday-kenny-dyson-jadeveon-clowney-nic-scourton |access-date=10 May 2025 |website=Panthers.com}}</ref>
=== Houston Gamblers === On February 7, 2026, Dyson signed with the Houston Gamblers of the United Football League (UFL).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Heilman |first=Michael |date=2026-02-08 |title=Houston Gamblers sign DE Kenny Dyson Jr., release DB LaMareon James |url=https://www.bgmsportstrax.com/2026/02/07/houston-gamblers-sign-de-kenny-dyson-jr-release-db-lamareon-james/ |access-date=2026-02-08 |website=BGMSportsTrax |language=en-US}}</ref>
== References == {{reflist}}
==External links== *[https://bryantbulldogs.com/sports/football/roster/kenny-dyson-jr-/11813 Bryant Bulldogs bio]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Dyson, Kenny}} Category:2001 births Category:Living people Category:Players of American football from Fairfield County, Connecticut Category:Sportspeople from Stamford, Connecticut Category:Bryant University alumni Category:American football defensive ends Category:Bryant Bulldogs football players Category:Carolina Panthers players Category:Houston Gamblers (UFL) players