SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Carolina Panthers defensive tackle Star Lotulelei has been called a “space-eater” for much of his first three NFL seasons.
That’s not an insult.
By taking up multiple blockers last season, the 6-foot-2, 315-pound Lotulelei helped fellow tackle Kawann Short collect a career-high 11 sacks, make the Pro Bowl and establish himself for a huge contract.
He helped keep middle linebacker Luke Kuechly clean to lead the team in tackles for the fourth straight year.
But now Lotulelei wants to be, well, a star.
Not in the sense that Carolina’s first pick of the 2013 draft wants the spotlight of quarterback Cam Newton.