Jon Beason Jonathan Beason ( born January 14 , 1985 ) is an American football linebacker for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League ( NFL ) . He played college football for the University of Miami . He was drafted by the Carolina Panthers 25th overall in the 2007 NFL Draft . Early years . Beason attended Chaminade Madonna College Preparatory School from 1999 - 2003 . He played multiple positions including linebacker , strong safety and fullback . As a senior , Beason rushed for 811 yards and 12 touchdowns at fullback , and made 75 tackles and had five pass interceptions on defense . Beason also ran track and was on the basketball team . College career . Beason played his college football at the University of Miami . He began his career at fullback but shifted to linebacker as a redshirt freshman . During his career he collected 187 tackles , 3 . 5 sacks , and one interception . He majored in sports administration . 7th Floor Crew . Beason was one of the players in the recording of the song " 7th Floor Crew " , a lewd rap song about sexual activities on the seventh floor of Mahoney Hall . He went as " Big Beast " Professional career . 2007 NFL Season . Beason was drafted 25th overall in the 2007 NFL Draft by the Carolina Panthers . Beason had a great rookie season , finishing second behind Patrick Willis in tackles for a rookie with 140 . He finished second in the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year voting behind Willis , receiving two votes . 2008 NFL Season . During Beason ' s second year he was selected to his first Pro Bowl and was an AP All - Pro selection after recording 138 tackles and three interceptions . 2009 NFL Season . Beason ' s third year was another good year , as he recorded three sacks , three interceptions , a forced fumble , and 141 tackles , including 111 solo tackles . As a result , Beason was a second team pick on the 2009 All - Pro Team , and also received a spot in the Pro Bowl when Patrick Willis backed out due to injury . 2010 NFL Season . Due to an injury to outside linebacker Thomas Davis , who was placed on the Physically Unable to Perform list , Beason volunteered to move to the outside linebacker position while Davis recovered . However , Davis was not taken off the list by the Panthers , and Beason had to assume the role further until Dan Connor , who had taken over the inside linebacker position , had a season - ending injury , thus moving Beason back inside . Due to him switching positions , he finished the season with the worst statistical performance of his career , recording only 121 tackles ( 9 less than fellow Panther James Anderson and the first time in his career he did not place first in team tackles ) . However , Beason was rewarded for his temporary switch to the position , and was designated a Pro Bowl alternate at the outside linebacker position , and later was awarded a spot when Lance Briggs backed out due to an injury . 2011 NFL Season . On July 28 , 2011 , Beason and the Panthers agreed to terms on a deal that would make him the highest paid middle linebacker in NFL history . The deal is worth $ 50 million over 5 years , with $ 25 million guaranteed . On September 14 , Beason was placed on the injured reserve list with an injured left achilles tendon .