The Carolina Panthers have finalized contracts with six of their draft picks and signed 19 undrafted free agents ahead of their rookie minicamp. The newly signed players will join the eight-man draft class and 14 tryout participants for two days of practice and meetings scheduled for Friday and Saturday.
General Manager Dan Morgan led efforts to sign six out of the eight draft selections, including first-round pick Tetairoa McMillan, a wide receiver. Other signees include outside linebacker Princely Umanmielen (third round), safety Lathan Ransom (fourth round), defensive tackle Cam Jackson (fifth round), tight end Mitchell Evans (fifth round), and wide receiver Jimmy Horn Jr. (sixth round). The remaining unsigned draft picks are outside linebacker Nic Scourton (second round) and running back Trevor Etienne (fourth round).
The list of undrafted free agents includes players from various universities: JaTravis Broughton from TCU, Ryan Fitzgerald from Florida State, Ethan Garbers from UCLA, Jacolby George from Miami, Isaac Gifford from Nebraska, Jared Hunte-Harrison from SMU, Jack Henderson from Minnesota, Kobe Hudson from Central Florida, Luke Kandra from Cincinnati, Steven Losoya from Vanderbilt, Kayron Lynch-Adams from Michigan State, Bam Martin-Scott from South Carolina, Moose Muhammad III from Texas A&M, Tuasivi Nomura from Fresno State, Bryce Pierre also from UCLA, Michael Reid from South Dakota, Michael Tarquin from Oklahoma, Trevian Thomas from Arkansas State, and Corey Thornton from Louisville.
Undrafted free agents are eligible players who were not selected in the recent seven-round draft. Once the draft concludes in April each year, these players become free agents available to negotiate with any team. The Panthers’ current roster includes seven players who began their careers as undrafted free agents: Adam Thielen started as a tryout player before signing with the Vikings in 2013; Rico Dowdle joined the Cowboys in 2020; Tershawn Wharton was picked up by the Chiefs in 2020; Christian Rozeboom began with the Rams in 2020; JJ Jansen is a long snapper; Jalen Coker is a receiver; Demani Richardson is a safety. These individuals have all been starters or key contributors on their respective teams.
The rookie minicamp will conclude on Saturday afternoon. The team may choose to sign some tryout players afterward. Both drafted rookies and undrafted free agents will return for organized team activities starting May 27 through June 5. A mandatory minicamp is scheduled for June 10-12.
