Stanford was selected by the Carolina Panthers in the seventh round of the 2010 NFL draft.

He carried the ball 233 times without a fumble as a senior, when he rushed for 1,800 yards and 28 touchdowns.

Stanford began his college career as a running back before transitioning to the cornerback position midway through his freshman year.

He suffered a broken leg in a Week 14 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers on December 7, 2013.

[4] On March 24, 2014, Stanford signed a one-year deal worth $805,000 with the Cincinnati Bengals.