Panthers sign former heavyweight boxing champ Evander Holyfield's son

The Carolina Panthers have signed with former Georgia running back Elijah Holyfield, the son of four-time heavyweight boxing champion Evander Holyfield, the team announced Monday.

Holyfield was not selected in the NFL draft, and his stock was hurt by a 4.78 time in the 40-yard dash at the combine.

The 5-foot-10, 215-pound running back will be competing for a backup job behind Christian McCaffrey, who set an NFL single-season record for a back with 107 catches in 2018. The Panthers also drafted Florida's Jordan Scarlett, and it has has Cameron Artis-Payne and Reggie Bonnafon as depth in the backfield.

In announcing several signings, the Panthers noted that once Holyfield went undrafted they "pounced to sign one of the hardest-charging ballcarriers in the draft class." 

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At Georgia in 2018, Holyfield rushed for 1,018 yards and seven touchdowns on 159 carries and had five catches for 40 yards. 

Holyfield's athletic trainer posted a Twitter video on Saturday showing the running back executing 254 glute hamstring raises — one for every pick in the NFL draft.