Princely Umanmielen, a rookie outside linebacker for the Carolina Panthers, experienced his first NFL regular season game at EverBank Stadium last Sunday. Umanmielen is familiar with the venue from his college days but noted that playing as a professional felt distinctly different. “It’s crazy because when I was running out the tunnel, I’m like this is a stadium I played in every season of my career in college, but it just, I’m just like, wow, this is not a college game anymore,” he said. “I have an NFL logo on my jersey.”
During the game, Umanmielen participated in six special teams snaps and eight defensive snaps—his first experience playing special teams in a live contest. “It was my first time actually playing special teams in a game. I think I did an acceptable job. I think I have a lot of room to improve and get better in the special teams,” he said.
Umanmielen also noticed differences in the speed and complexity of play at the NFL level compared to college football. “I don’t think I got one-on-one once. I think I got chipped every single play I was in there, so I didn’t really get to completely feel the speed,” he explained. “I know, the ball was getting out really fast, like the quarterback was making reads faster than I’m used to in college, but as a whole, I think I did an OK job, but I still have room to improve.”
Another rookie outside linebacker, Nic Scourton, saw action on 18 defensive snaps. Head coach Dave Canales commented on Scourton’s performance: “High-energy, but definitely feeling his way through it,” Canales said. “I have a picture of him when he’s at his confident and fast as best, and for me, when he was out there, he was kind of like a little bit measured and then (he goes). So the challenge for Nic is just to go make the play full speed, the mistakes full speed, and we’ll correct it from there. And that’s been his calling card, that’s the style that he plays with, going back to his college film and what I’ve seen throughout camp. Now, play with that kind of tenacity.”
Scourton said he is working on adapting to NFL competition: “I feel like that’s just something you get in the rhythm of the game, but I think my approach to the pass was the same,” he stated. “I mean, obviously, the speed’s different, you don’t know what’s coming. It’s not practice. You don’t know how it looks, but I feel like out there, I didn’t necessarily feel lost, and I think I’m just trying to build on the corrections from last week and just put a good week to practice together to be ready for that.”
Looking ahead to Week 2 against Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray presents new challenges due to Murray’s mobility and ability to extend plays under pressure—a skill set both rookies are preparing for during practice this week.
“Yeah, he’s definitely a challenge especially with the agility and speed that he has,” Umanmielen said about Murray. “So this week we’re just honing in on keeping our rush lanes and making sure that we have contain on him and try to stay disciplined in our rushes.” Scourton added: “I mean that’s Kyler Murray but I think you know like anybody else we got to keep him in the pocket you know and try to limit him from killing us with his legs. That’s easier said than done.”
Safety Lathan Ransom also reflected on adjusting as an NFL rookie after growing up near Arizona’s stadium without ever attending an NFL game before joining Carolina: “I got two older safeties playing ahead of me that I can learn from every day and that’s what I’m trying to do man super excited,” Ransom said. “I like to do what my coaches want me to do and that’s go out there and play hard when I get opportunity too.”
The Panthers began their season with 12 rookies active on their 53-man roster—the most ever for opening day in franchise history—demonstrating their focus on developing young talent across all units.
“Our staff knows we all know here we are developmentally minded that’s our philosophy,” Canales said this week. “You get (48) guys on game day three of them are special teamers So you got (45). These guys all have to play at some point…these are the guys they’re all going have play at some point and just continuing pour into them.”
Umanmielen expressed readiness for whatever role comes next: “Hopefully in next game get little bit more reps but I’m just prepared for any way that coaching staff needs me.” Scourton echoed those sentiments: “I’m just told be ready go when it’s time So think I’ll play little more snaps once earn trust.”
