Nov 16, 2024; Dallas, Texas, USA; Boston College Eagles quarterback Grayson James (14) is sacked by SMU Mustangs linebacker Kobe Wilson (24) and defensive lineman Jared Harrison-Hunte (81) during the second half at Gerald J. Ford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images Jerome Miron USA TODAY NETWORK
As the Carolina Panthers enter the heart of their offseason program, they’ll be looking for potential under-the-radar contributors to emerge before training camp in July.
While the Panthers spent big money on a group of free agents and brought in eight draft picks, they also have added 19 undrafted players to their roster as well. Those undrafted rookies will have their work cut out for them this offseason, but because the roster is constantly churning, it’s hard to rule them out of jobs just yet.
After breaking down the Panthers’ offensive undrafted rookie class on Wednesday, here’s a breakdown of the defensive and special teams group in OTAs:
DT Jared Harrison-Hunte
Background: Harrison-Hunte spent six seasons in college. After playing five years at Miami, he transferred to SMU this past offseason. Overall, he played 61 games and produced 120 tackles, 15.5 sacks, an interception and a forced fumble. He is coming off a career year with 42 combined tackles and 6.5 sacks.
Feb 27, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, USA; SMU defensive lineman Jared Harrison-Hunte (DL16) participates in drills during the 2025 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images Kirby Lee USA TODAY NETWORK
How he can earn a job: Harrison-Hunte is probably the most notable player on this list. He was a draft darling for some, and the fact that the Panthers landed him as an undrafted free-agent signing is somewhat impressive, especially after they invested so much in the line prior to his arrival. Despite his high profile, Harrison-Hunte is going to need to outlast the likes of former starter Shy Tuttle and last year’s sixth-round pick, Jaden Crumedy, to grab a spot on the main roster.
ILB Bam Martin-Scott
Background: Martin-Scott is coming off a four-year career with South Carolina. While playing at the Panthers player factory, he collected 121 tackles (14 for loss), 4.5 sacks, six pass breakups and an interception. The 6-foot-2, 231-pound linebacker is an older rookie at 24.
South Carolina’s Bam Martin-Scott at the team’s media day on Thursday, August 1, 2024. Joshua Boucher jboucher@thestate.com
How he can earn a job: Despite his undrafted profile, Martin-Scott should be seen as worthwhile competition on the defensive side of the ball. He had a massive Panthers scouting group — including GM Dan Morgan — watch his pro day in March, and he was signed to play a position that was not drafted by Carolina in April.
While the team signed Christian Rozeboom in free agency, the inside linebacker unit still needs improved depth. Martin-Scott will look to push the likes of Jon Rhattigan, Claudin Cherelus and others to earn a job on the 53-man roster.
ILB Tuasivi Nomura
Background: Nomura split his college career between stints at Southern California and Fresno State. After a four-year run with the Trojans, Nomura transferred to Fresno State to become a Bulldog. During his six-year college career, Nomura collected 158 combined tackles (nine for a loss), a sack and four pass breakups.
Dec 6, 2020; Los Angeles, California, USA; USC Trojans linebacker Tuasivi Nomura (44) celebrates after a play in the first half of the game against the Washington State Cougars at United Airlines Field at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports Jayne Kamin-Oncea USA TODAY NETWORK
How he can earn a job: Like Martin-Scott, Nomura is entering a room without a draft pick. The inside linebacker group is in flux, and Nomura should have a pretty good shot at making the team through his special teams work. At worst, Nomura is probably contending for a stint on the practice squad.
CB JaTravis Broughton
Background: The 5-foot-11, 195-pound cornerback split his career between Utah and TCU. After a five-year run with the Utes, Broughton brought his talent to the Horned Frogs in 2024. During his extensive college career, Broughton produced 164 tackles, a sack, an interception and 16 pass breakups.
How he can earn a job: Broughton is one of six undrafted defensive backs in Panthers OTAs. While Broughton is somewhat undersized for the scheme, he could be a backup option at nickel corner behind Chau Smith-Wade. Like most of the players on this list, he will need to become a special teams asset to sniff the 53-man roster.
S Isaac Gifford
Background: Gifford is the younger brother of San Francisco 49ers linebacker Luke Gifford, who is known as a special teams ace. The younger Gifford followed in his brother’s footsteps at Nebraska and completed a five-year career with the Cornhuskers in 2024. During that stint, he played under former Panthers head coach Matt Rhule and produced 240 tackles, 1.5 sacks and an interception.
Dylan Widger USA TODAY NETWORK
How he can earn a job: It’s no secret that the Panthers badly need safety depth. Gifford could factor into the bottom of the depth chart by sticking out on special teams. At 6 feet and 203 pounds, Gifford has NFL size at the safety position, and he could surprise some during the preseason. His main competition will be Nick Scott and the other undrafted defensive backs.
S Jack Henderson
Background: Henderson, listed as 6-2 and 215 pounds, is coming off a two-season run with the Minnesota Golden Gophers. In those two seasons, he collected 103 tackles (14 for loss), six sacks, three interceptions and a forced fumble. Prior to Minnesota, he spent three years at Southeastern Louisiana.
Matt Krohn USA TODAY NETWORK
How he can earn a job: Henderson has phenomenal size for the safety position. He’s built like a new-age weakside linebacker, so if he strikes out at safety, perhaps the Panthers can look at him as an option elsewhere on defense. His blitzing ability is clearly a strength, and with needs at safety and linebacker, as well as special teams, Henderson should be a player to watch this summer.
CB Michael Reid
Background: Reid, a 6-foot-2, 200-pound cornerback, split his college career between Monmouth and South Dakota. The long, lanky cornerback spent four years with Monmouth, playing in 37 games. Before transferring to South Dakota in 2024, Reid collected 28 pass breakups during his final three years with Monmouth. During his lone campaign in South Dakota, Reid had 44 tackles, eight pass breakups and two interceptions.
Samantha Laurey / Argus Leader USA TODAY NETWORK
How he can earn a job: Reid has good size for a potential NFL outside cornerback. While he played at smaller schools during his college career, he has a leg up in the size and length departments. Reid will look to one-up incumbent depth corners like Akayleb Evans and Shemar Bartholomew, along with the other undrafted DBs, to earn a spot on the roster or practice squad.
S Trevian Thomas
Background: Thomas spent his entire five-year college career at Arkansas State. The 5-foot-11, 196-pound safety produced 257 total tackles (six for loss), eight interceptions and nine pass breakups during that run. He is coming off a super-senior year with five interceptions.
BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN USA TODAY NETWORK
How he can earn a job: As previously stated, the Panthers are light on tangible safety depth behind Tre’von Moehrig and fifth-round pick Lathan Ransom. Beyond Demani Richardson, a second-year player, the group seems wide open as far as back-end competition. Thomas, who proved to be a ballhawk in college, could turn out to be this year’s Richardson if he makes plays on the ball in camp and the preseason.
CB Corey Thornton
Background: Thornton spent his first four college seasons at UCF before transferring to Louisville this past year. Overall, he appeared in 60 college games, producing 177 total tackles, six interceptions and 33 pass breakups. He produced five of those six career interceptions in his final two seasons. He was also a standout during the East-West Shrine Game practices in January.
Bob Kupbens USA TODAY NETWORK
How he can earn a job: Thornton is entering a wide-open competition at cornerback. Beyond Jaycee Horn and Mike Jackson, the position has a pretty inexperienced bunch. Thornton will compete with Smith-Wade, Evans, Bartholomew and the rest of the undrafted crew for a spot on the roster. At 6-1 and 185 pounds, Thornton has appealing size at the position.
K Ryan Fitzgerald
Background: Fitzgerald just completed a five-year run with the Florida State Seminoles. While he had an up-and-down career during his first three seasons with the program, he rebounded in a big way in 2023. Over the past two years, Fitzgerald connected on 32 of his 34 field-goal attempts (94.1%) and all 72 of his extra-point attempts (100%). He made all 13 of his field-goal attempts in 2024, including five attempts of 50 or more yards.
KHADEJEH NIKOUYEH Knikouyeh@charlotteobserver.com
How he can earn a job: It’s pretty simple: Fitzgerald just needs to outshine Matthew Wright this summer. The competition is between those two players during OTAs and training camp. If Fitzgerald shows early and often that he is better than Wright, he will be the Panthers’ kicker in Week 1 of his rookie season.
The Charlotte Observer
Mike Kaye covers the Carolina Panthers for The Charlotte Observer. Kaye previously covered the entire NFL for Pro Football Network, the Philadelphia Eagles for NJ Advance Media and the Jacksonville Jaguars for First Coast News. He is a graduate of the University of North Florida.