LaBryan Ray

LaBryan Ray (born December 5, 1997) is an American football defensive end for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Alabama. He has been a member of the New England Patriots and Philadelphia Stars.

Early years
Ray attended James Clemens High School in Madison, Alabama. He was a five-star recruit and received offers from Alabama, Florida, Ole Miss, Tennessee, and Arkansas.

College career
In his freshman season, Ray played in only six games due to suffering a foot injury. He recorded five tackles, 2.5 tackles for losses, and one sack for the season. In his second year, he played in all 15 games, and started one of them. In 2020, he recorded 39 tackles, which included 5.5 for losses, and 2.5 sacks. He also recorded two pass deflections, and two quarterback hurries. He later suffered a season-ending lower leg injury in a game against South Carolina. He recorded nine tackles, 1.5 of which were for losses, one sack, and one forced fumble on the year. He was redshirted at the end of the season.

New England Patriots
Ray was signed by the New England Patriots as an undrafted free agent on May 9, 2022. He was waived on August 30, 2022, and signed to the practice squad the next day. He signed a reserve/future contract on January 10, 2023. He was waived on February 17.

Philadelphia Stars
Ray signed with the Philadelphia Stars of the USFL on May 3, 2023. Ray finished the 2023 USFL season with 10 tackles and 3 sacks through 7 games with 5 starts. He was released from his contract on July 29, 2023, to sign with an NFL team.

Carolina Panthers
On July 31, 2023, Ray signed with the Carolina Panthers.

On January 8, 2024, the Panthers signed Ray to a one-year contract extension.

Legal issues
On January 11, 2019, Ray refused to leave an establishment located in a shopping center, due to him being intoxicated. He was subsequently arrested, and transferred to the Tuscaloosa County Jail, where he was held on a $500 bond.