CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Running back Brandon Wegher doesn't like going into detail about his past, but his past is a big part of what makes his present so intriguing.
Signed by the Carolina Panthers as an undrafted rookie out of Morningside College in Sioux City, Iowa, Wegher took one of the more unusual roads to the NFL.
That he came from Morningside, an NAIA school perhaps best known for producing Pauline Phillips -- otherwise known as "Dear Abby" -- would be enough to label his story interesting.
But how Wegher got to Morningside and ultimately Carolina takes it to another level.
And before going any further, Wegher has a legitimate shot at making Carolina's roster. Coach Ron Rivera ended a weekend rookie minicamp saying Wegher was going to be "a nice diamond in the rough."
Wegher, 5-foot-10 and 213 pounds, has high expectations as well.
"The biggest thing was I came out here and I belonged," he said when asked about any welcome to the NFL moments. "I feel like I fit in real nice and I feel I can compete against the best."
Back to Wegher's story. It began in Sioux City at Bishop Heelan Catholic High, where during his junior and senior seasons he rushed for a combined 5,572 yards and 82 touchdowns. He had 3,238 yards and 51 touchdowns as a senior.
That earned him a scholarship at Iowa, where in 2009 Wegher rushed for 641 yards and a school freshman record eight touchdowns. He added 113 yards and a touchdown in a 24-14 Orange Bowl victory over Georgia Tech.
This is where the story takes a major turn. Wegher left before his sophomore season for what he called personal reasons that never were disclosed. He transferred to Oklahoma, but was ruled academically ineligible before playing a down.
That led to a brief stop at Iowa Western Community College in Council Bluffs, where Wegher also was declared academically ineligible.
During this time Wegher was arrested in Akron, Iowa, and charged with domestic abuse assault. He allegedly pushed his brother, Cole, so hard that Cole's head struck a kitchen counter sink, according to a 2012 story in the Cedar Rapids Gazette.
Wegher also reportedly was arrested for public intoxication and charged with eluding police in Council Bluffs.
"I was just being a kid," Wegher said without elaborating.” I didn't have life figured out."
Wegher began figuring life out in Sioux City, where he worked at a mining and then construction company to support his son who was born during this time.
But after three years of not playing football, Wegher decided it was time to return. So he met with Morningside coach Steve Ryan and asked for another chance.
Wegher didn't disappoint. He set an NAIA record last season with 2,610 yards rushing. In two seasons, he became the school's all-time leading rusher with 3,815 yards and 52 touchdowns.
That earned Wegher an invitation to the Medal of Honor Bowl in Charleston, South Carolina, where he led all rushers with 94 yards on 14 carries. He then went to Iowa State's Pro Day, where he impressed scouts with a time of 4.40 seconds in the 40-yard dash.
That still wasn't enough to get drafted, so he signed with Carolina.
"If you've got talent, if you belong in this league, they'll find you," Wegher said.
Wegher has talent. His burst through the line was noticeable during minicamp even though players weren't in pads.
He doesn't lack for confidence.
"Cause I know I have the athleticism," he said when asked why he belonged in the NFL. "I know I have the brains to compete and be able to understand it."
