James Bryant Jr - May 12, 2025
Andrew Stein/Carolina Panthers
The 2025 Rookie Mini Camp for the Carolina Panthers is now in the books. Two days of draftees, undrafted free agents and tryout players getting in the building for the first time, fitting equipment and meeting coaches and staff are done. The major question is how did the two days of practice go and who shined the brightest.
Tetairoa McMillan, the 8th pick of the 2025 NFL draft was by far the main focal point of camp. According to many of the local beat writers who cover the Panthers he looked the part. He is smooth in his route running and him being labeled as a "Hands Catcher' was on full display as well. TMac as he likes to be called had a couple of quotes that should get Panthers fans excited.
Here is his comment about being coached;
"Shoot, I mean, it's incredible, you know, even though I was fortunate enough to get drafted in the first round, I was a high-level talent in college, but even the best in the world need to get coaching."
WR Tetairoa McMillan
Andrew Stein/Carolina Panthers
Tmac On WR Coach Rob Moore;
"This is what's really going to turn me—I feel like Coach Moore is going to really turn me from good to great. So being able to just be around him as much as possible, you know, being able to hear from him, listen, and just gain as much wisdom and knowledge that he has for the game for me, it's going to only elevate me."
Another name that rang out over the two day camp was 6th Round Pick WR Jimmy Horn Jr from Colorado. Horns speed was impressive at the combine Running a 4.46 4-yard dash. Add on his top speed in the gauntlet drill of 19.81 mph which was the fastest amount all receivers at this years combine. Mike Kaye form the Charlotte Observer mentioned that Horn had speed for days and to ignore his 40 time. Jimmy also stated that he knew at an early age that he had great speed. He would go to other neighborhoods and race the fasted kid there. Asked if he ever lost, his response was simple "NO."
Speed is not the only asset Horn Jr brings to the table, as he is a capable route runner with good body control, and has the ability to take a short play for a long gain. We will also see what he can offer in the kick/punt return game as well.
No two days was not enough time for all the draftees and tryout players to make a name for themselves and secure a roster spot. We will see how that all unfolds as the offseason activities progress. The Panthers have a lot of rookie talent that all of us fans are waiting to hear more good things from.
WR Jimmy Horn Jr.
Andrew Stein/Carolina Panthers
One undrafted free agent who has a good shot at making the team is kicker Ryan Fitzgerald.
Last season at Florida State Fitzgerald was perfect, LITERALLY. He was 14/14 on extra point attempts and 13/13 on field goal attempts. He will be in competition with Mathew Wright who the Panthers signed this offseason after deciding not to bring back the "Most Accurate Kicker In NFL History" Eddie Pinero. Wright was with the team for training camp in 2023 and kicked in the last game of that season against Tampa Bay when Pinero was out with an injury. Pinero was not a bad kicker but he definitely missed kicks at the worst moments that still haunt myself and I'm sure a lot of Panther Nation. Dave Canales and Dan Morgan are always emphasizing the importance of competition and that's exactly what we have here!!!
As Always Panther Nation "Y'ALL BE GOOD BE SAFE & KEEP POUNDING MAYNE"
