Quinton Culberson, the former Mississippi State defensive standout, has made the transition from the fledgling UFL to the somewhat better established NFL.

Culberson, a former All-SEC linebacker, signed with the Carolina Panthers on Tuesday. He played 30 games in 2007-08 with the St. Louis Rams.

More recently, he was on the roster of the new UFL’s Florida Tuskers franchise. The Tuskers reached the league championship game before losing to Las Vegas last week.

Culberson was an SEC All-Freshman defensive back in 2003 and eventually evolved into a linebacker. He led the Bulldogs in tackles in 2006, his senior season.