The 2025 NFL Draft wrapped up on Saturday evening from Green Bay, and NC Football News is here to recap every Carolina Panthers pick, plus recognize other players selected who have North Carolina college & high school ties.
📣 Looking for Undrafted Free Agent signings?
👉 Jump to our full list of NC players signing UDFA deals and rookie camp invites here!
The Panthers executed multiple trades and ended up with eight selections, four on offense and four on defense. Carolina’s 2025 NFL Draft was widely seen as successful, earning grades from B+ and higher across several sources.
Pro Football Focus (PFF) gave Carolina one of three A+ grade. “The Arizona Cardinals, Carolina Panthers and Dallas Cowboys headline teams with A+ grades: All three franchises landed multiple impact players and crushed value compared to the PFF Big Board,” PFF wrote on its Website the day after the draft.
The franchise added weapons for developing quarterback Bryce Young and beefed up its defensive front. If there was a miss, it was the Panthers’ failure to address needs at linebacker or cornerback.
📌 Updated Sunday, April 27
NOTE: The NFL announced that it will release the 2025 schedule on Wednesday, May 14 at 8 p.m. on NFL Network.
🐾 Carolina Panthers Draft Picks
✅ Round 1, Pick 8 — Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona
✅ Round 2, Pick 51 — Nic Scourton, EDGE, Texas A&M/Purdue
✅ Round 3, Pick 77 — Princely Umanmielen, EDGE, Ole Miss
✅ Round 4, Pick 114 — Trevor Etienne, RB, Georgia/Florida
✅ Round 4, Pick 122 — Lathan Ransom, S, Ohio State
✅ Round 5, Pick 140 — Cam’Ron Jackson, DT, Florida/Memphis
✅ Round 5, Pick 163 — Mitchell Evans, TE, Notre Dame
✅ Round 6, Pick 208 — Jimmy Horn, WR, Colorado/South Florida
✅ Round 1, Pick 8 – Tetairoa McMillan, Wide Receiver, Arizona
For the second year in a row, the Panthers took a wideout with their first pick. McMillan may not be a familiar name for Carolina fans, but he’s been prolific at the college level. The 2024 All-American amassed 3,423 receiving yards and 26 touchdowns during his career at Arizona. He had more than 1,300 yards in each of the last two seasons.
McMillan stands 6-foot-4 and hails from Waimanalo, HI. He’ll bring a Polynesian flair to the Panthers franchise. Get to know the newest Panther and hear his first press conference as a member of the franchise HERE.
Feeling like a McMillan bucks@budlight | #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/PqXBbIqoXp — Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) April 25, 2025
✅ Round 2, Pick 51 – Nic Scourton, EDGE, Texas A&M/Purdue
The Panthers traded up six spots to bolster its defense. Scourton (from Timpson, Texas) played for Purdue for two seasons, earning 72 tackles and 12 sacks. He then played the 2024 campaign at Texas A&M in his home state, amassing 37 stops, 14 tackles-for-loss and five sacks. Carolina had one of the lowest sack rates in the NFL a year ago, so this pick should improve those fortunes.
✅ Round 3, Pick 77 – Princely Umanmielen, EDGE, Ole Miss
Carolina may have gone with offense in round one, but it’s obvious defense was the focus of day two. The Panthers picked a second edge rusher with SEC ties (and a great name). Umanmielen earned 15 sacks in four seasons at Florida, then had a monster final collegiate season at Ole Miss, collecting 10.5 QB sacks and a forced fumble – just what the mostly anemic Carolina pass rush needs.
✅ Round 4, Pick 114 – Trevor Etienne, RB, Georgia/Florida
The Panthers dipped back into the SEC for an explosive, versatile running back to compliment the offense. Etienne, whose older brother Travis played at Clemson and is now with Jacksonville, rushed for 609 yards and nine touchdowns in 2024 with Georgia. He also made 32 catches out of the backfield.
✅ Round 4, Pick 122 – Lathan Ransom, S, Ohio State
ESPN’s pre-draft analysis should be music to the ears of Panthers fans: “Ransom reads the quarterback, tracks the ball and times his hits well when playing high. He is fast and strong enough to compete with tight ends in coverage. He’s quick to trigger and takes sound angles breaking on passes. Ransom is an aggressive run defender who shoots into the backfield and made nine tackles for loss in 2024. He fills gaps and meets backs in the hole when he plays in the box. He’s a big hitter and punches balls out, and he forced three fumbles in 2024.” — Steve Muench
✅ Round 5, Pick 140 – Cam’Ron Jackson, DT, Florida/Memphis
Jackson (6-6, 342) will be an imposing force in the middle of the defensive line. He played three seasons at Memphis before joining the Florida Gators. He earned 37 tackles, 4.5 tackles-for-loss and two sacks in 2024 and finished his college career with 120 stops. “The 6’6″, 342-pound behemoth made an immediate impact in the SEC trenches, earning conference honors and establishing himself as a force in the run game,” NFL Draft Buzz wrote in March.
✅ Round 5, Pick 163 – Mitchell Evans, TE, Notre Dame
The Panthers added a sizeable pass-catcher (6-5, 258) with one of the best bursts among tight ends in this draft class. Evans played four seasons at Notre Dame, recording 77 catches for 903 yards and five touchdowns. After recovering from an ACL injury in 2023, Evans made 43 receptions a year ago for 421 yards and three scores. He started 11 of 16 games for Notre Dame, which made the College Football Playoff championship game.
✅ Round 6, Pick 208 – Jimmy Horn, WR, Colorado/South Florida
While much of day three focused on Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders finally getting selected (by the Browns in the fifth round), the Panthers added one of Sanders’ weapons to their wide receiver room. Horn is seen as a depth piece at this point and a likely special teams contributor with plenty of upside. Scouts like his speed. Horn caught 37 passes for 441 yards and one TD in 2024. He made 58 catches for 567 yards and six scores in ’23.
🏈 NC College Players Drafted
North Carolina college football’s leading rushing in 2024 was the first collegiate player from the Old North State off the board.
⚡️ Round 1, Pick 22 – Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina → Los Angeles Chargers
NC Ties: Cleveland High School (Clayton, NC)
UNC star running back Omarion Hampton became the second player from a North Carolina high school selected in Round 1, going No. 22 overall to the Los Angeles Chargers. The pick reunites Hampton’s hard-nosed style with a coach known for toughness: Jim Harbaugh.
A dominant force at Carolina, Hampton ranks ninth all-time in rushing yards at UNC (2,911) and sixth in rushing touchdowns (30). He had 16 career 100-yard games and was a Doak Walker Award finalist. Hampton led the ACC in rushing in 2024 and finished fifth nationally in rushing yards, including a 234-yard, 3-TD performance vs. App State and a 178-yard, 2-TD effort at Clemson that earned him one of five ACC RB of the Week honors in his career.
Hampton’s football journey started at Cleveland High School under head coach Scott Riley, where he rushed for 5,370 yards and 88 touchdowns. He was named North Carolina Gatorade Player of the Year, Mr. Football by the Charlotte Observer, and won the Arnold R. Solomon Award as the top high school player in the state.
Known for his blend of power, vision, and burst, he averaged 10.4 yards per carry in high school and became one of the most decorated backs in North Carolina prep history.
With Harbaugh looking to establish a physical identity in Los Angeles, Hampton could be a perfect backfield cornerstone — and a fan favorite in short order.
What a great fit! Omarion Hampton (UNC | Cleveland High) will play for Jim Harbaugh and the Chargers.
Already getting Natrone Means vibes…
Read more about picks with NC ties: https://t.co/IMBpkKgpQG https://t.co/u6CM0r4mN5 — NC Football News (@NCFootballNews) April 25, 2025
💪 Round 2, Pick 54 – Anthony Belton, OL, NC State → Green Bay Packers
Belton (6-6, 335) was a mainstay at left tackle for the Wolfpack over three seasons. He started 33 games and collected third-team all-conference in 2023, a year in which he recorded 51 pancake blocks (including nine against UNC). Belton is a native of Tallahassee, Fla. and played at Florida State University High School and Georgia Military Academy.
🏴☠️ Round 3, Pick 76 – Shavon Revel Jr., DB, East Carolina → Dallas Cowboys
NC Ties: Winston-Salem; Reynolds and Reagan high schools; started his college career at Louisburg
Injuries likely kept him out of the first two rounds, but Revel is a high-upside defensive back and a prized pick of the Cowboys. Revel played on both sides of the ball during his senior season at Reagan, earning a three-star ranking from 247Sports. Revel missed the 2020 season at Louisburg due to COVID, but parlayed a solid 2021 campaign with the Hurricanes into an opportunity at ECU. He started 15 games for the Pirates, earning all-conference in 2023.
There's a Hurricane coming to Dallas! So proud of @ShavonRevel and can't wait to see him playing on Sundays! #LOUCOproduct pic.twitter.com/Yd26zcd2MK — Louisburg College Football (@Louisburg_FB) April 26, 2025
Round 4, Pick 104 – Bhayshul Tuten, RB, North Carolina A&T/Virginia Tech → Jacksonville Jaguars
Tuten, from Paulsboro, New Jersey, spent the 2021 and 2022 seasons at North Carolina A&T. He rushed for 1,363 yards and 13 touchdowns during his sophomore campaign before transferring to Virginia Tech.
The talent was always undeniable. https://t.co/mIRdTbmYb2 — BlueDeathValley.com (@BlueDeathValley) April 26, 2025
🎓 NC High School Football Alums Drafted
(Names you’ll recognize from Friday nights & North Carolina High School Football)
🦅 Round 1, Pick 15 – Jalon Walker, LB, Georgia → Atlanta Falcons
NC Ties: Salisbury High School (Salisbury, NC)
Walker, a former four-star recruit and 2020 North Carolina Gatorade Player of the Year, played for coach Brian Hinson at Salisbury High before signing with Georgia. He led Salisbury to an 11-1 record one season and a deep trip in the state playoffs.
In 2024, Walker won the Butkus Award as the nation’s top linebacker and earned First-Team All-America honors from ESPN, USA Today, AFCA and more. He finished the season with 60 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks — including a standout three-sack performance vs. Texas. Walker brings elite speed, instincts, and leadership to Atlanta’s defense, becoming one of the top NC high school alums selected in this year’s draft.
⚡️ Round 1, Pick 22 – Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina → Los Angeles Chargers
NC Ties: Cleveland High School (Clayton, NC)
Read more about Hampton by scrolling back up to the NC Collegiate draftees section (or clicking on this sentence).
🦅 Round 1, Pick 26 – James Pearce Jr., EDGE, Tennessee → Atlanta Falcons
NC Ties: Chambers High School (Charlotte, NC)
The Falcons doubled down on North Carolina talent in Round 1, trading back into the first round to select former Chambers High School standout James Pearce Jr. with the 26th overall pick — just 11 spots after taking Salisbury’s Jalon Walker.
Pearce played for coach Glenwood Ferebee at Chambers (formerly Z.B. Vance) and helped lead the school to four state title game appearances and two championships.
Pearce fielded more than a dozen Power 5 offers and finished his senior season at Chambers with a flourish (14.5 sacks, two interceptions, three forced fumbles and two safeties among other highlights).
At Tennessee, Pearce earned first-team All-SEC honors in both 2023 and 2024. He was a semifinalist for the Bednarik Award, Lombardi Award and Walter Camp Player of the Year Award in 2024.
🏴☠️ Round 3, Pick 76 – Shavon Revel Jr., DB, East Carolina → Dallas Cowboys
NC Ties: Reynolds and Reagan high schools; started his college career at Louisburg
Read more about Revel by scrolling back up to the NC Collegiate draftees section (or clicking on this sentence).
The Falcons double down on North Carolina prep talent in Round 1.
Will these guys haunt the Panthers in the NFC South? https://t.co/hdJpUM949l — NC Football News (@NCFootballNews) April 25, 2025
🏴☠️ Round 3, Pick 95 – Jared Wilson, C, Georgia → New England Patriots
NC Ties: West Forsyth High (Winston-Salem, NC)
A North Carolina prep standout will be snapping the ball to another North Carolina prep standout on one of the NFL’s most iconic franchises. Wilson started at center for Georgia in 2024 and will play in front of former Myers Park quarterback Drake Maye, now the Patriots starter.
Now 6-3, 315 pounds, Wilson played for Adrian Snow at West Forsyth. He notched 71 pancake blocks during his junior season at West Forsyth and did not allow a sack. Last season at Georgia, he earned second-team All-SEC.
Congratulations, Jared!@WF_Football alum! https://t.co/GQqYfCbYfs — West Forsyth Sports Marketing (@WFSportsMktg) April 26, 2025
Round 5, Pick 141 – Carson Vinson, OL, Alabama A&M → Baltimore Ravens
NC Ties: Morrisville (Panther Creek HS)
Vinson became the first player drafted from an HBCU since 2023’s seventh round. The massive 6-7, 321-pounder started across five collegiate seasons at Alabama A&M and earned all-SWAC honors in 2024.
He was a two-star prospect coming out of Panther Creek. While he had aspirations to play for North Carolina, he was only lightly recruited by the Tar Heels. When UNC came calling his junior and senior seasons, he choose to stay at Alabama A&M.
“It was really just a chip on my shoulder that I took throughout college. I said, ‘OK, I’m going to do it from the school that wanted me first,’” Vinson told BaltimoreRavens.com.
Round 6, Pick 212 – Aeneas Peebles, DL, Virginia Tech → Baltimore Ravens
NC Ties: Knightdale High, started college career at Duke
Earned first-team All-ACC and third-team All-America honors with the Hokies. He started all 12 games, finishing with 6.5 tackles-for-loss, 3.0 sacks and 31 total tackles. Peebles lettered all four years at Knightdale, playing for coach Anthony Timmons. He was the 2019 4A Northern Athletic Conference defensive player of the year. His final two prep seasons he recorded 195 tackles, 27 sacks and a pair of blocked field goals.
Round 7, Pick 253 – Zeek Biggers, DT, Georgia Tech → Miami Dolphins
NC Ties: Salisbury, West Rowan High School (Mount Ulla)
Biggers’ selection gives Rowan County two picks in this year’s draft. First-rounder Jalon Walker played at Salisbury High. Biggers took the field for West Rowan in Mount Ulla, playing for coach Joe Nixon. He also played basketball and competed on the West Rowan track and field team.
Biggers (6-6, 322) earned honorable mention ACC this past fall while starting all 13 games at defensive tackle. He also started every game in 2023 and played in 47 games total for the Yellow Jackets. His 2024 campaign included two blocked field goals, 23 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss and a sack. He blocked four field goals during his collegiate career.
Zeek’s headed to South Beach! 🐬
Congratulations, @ZeekBiggers — our newest Pro Jacket!#NFLDraft#ProJackets#StingEm 🐝 pic.twitter.com/OXgqby73u9 — Georgia Tech Football (@GeorgiaTechFB) April 26, 2025
🤝 UDFA Signings & Mini Camp Invites
(The dream isn’t over — it’s just beginning)
Former Barton College star Kameron Johnson became a summer sensation in 2024, going from undrafted D2 football prospect to making the Tampa Bay Buccaneers regular season roster. Who will be this year’s diamonds in the rough from the Old North State?
Here are players with North Carolina ties who have are keeping their NFL dreams alive:
Undrafted Free Agent Signings
- Chandler Brayboy, WR/KR, Elon: Signed as an undrafted free agent with the Jacksonville Jaguars
- Rushawn Baker, RB, Elon: Signed as an undrafted free agent with the New York Giants
- Jordan Bly, WR, Gardner-Webb: Signed as an undrafted free agent with the New York Giants
- Jason Ivey, OL, North Carolina A&T: Signed as an undrafted free agent with the Cleveland Browns
- Joaquin Davis, WR, North Carolina Central: Signed as an undrafted free agent with the Denver Broncos
- Torricelli Simpkins, OL, North Carolina Central/South Carolina: Signed as an undrafted free agent with the New Orleans Saints
- Hajj-Malik Williams, QB, Campbell/UNLV: Signed as an undrafted free agent with the Las Vegas Raiders
- Eli Wilson, TE, Appalachian State: Signed as an undrafted free agent with the Cleveland Browns
- Ahmani Marshall, RB, Appalachian State: Signed as an undrafted free agent with the Cleveland Browns
- Joshua Pickett, CB, Duke: Signed as an undrafted free agent with the Denver Broncos
- Jordan Moore, WR, Duke: Signed as an undrafted free agent with the Cincinnati Bengals
- Eli Pancol, WR, Duke: Signed as an undrafted free agent with the Jacksonville Jaguars
- Brandon Johnson, DB, Duke/Oregon: Signed as an undrafted free agent with the Philadelphia Eagles
- Timothy McKay, OL, NC State: Signed as an undrafted free agent with the Washington Commanders
- Zeke Correll, OL, NC State: Signed as an undrafted free agent with the Minnesota Vikings
- Aydan White, CB, NC State: Signed as an undrafted free agent with the Jacksonville Jaguars
- Jordan Waters, RB, NC State/Duke: Signed as an undrafted free agent with the Los Angeles Rams
- Nate McCollum, WR, North Carolina: Signed as an undrafted free agent with the New York Giants
- JJ Jones, WR, North Carolina: Signed as an undrafted free agent with the New York Giants
- Alijah Huzzie, DB, North Carolina: Signed as an undrafted free agent with the Houston Texans
- Power Echols, LB, North Carolina: Signed as an undrafted free agent with the Chicago Bears
- Bryson Nesbit, TE, North Carolina: Signed as an undrafted free agent with the Minnesota Vikings
- John Copenhaver, TE, North Carolina: Signed as an undrafted free agent with the Jacksonville Jaguars
- Willie Lampkin, OL, North Carolina: Signed as an undrafted free agent with the Los Angeles Rams
Des Evans, DE, North Carolina: Signed as an undrafted free agent with the Tennessee Titans
Jahvaree Ritzie, DL, North Carolina: Signed as an undrafted free agent with the New England Patriots - Jasheen Davis, EDGE, Wake Forest: Signed as an undrafted free agent with the New Orleans Saints
- Taylor Morin, WR, Wake Forest: Signed as an undrafted free agent with the Philadelphia Eagles
- Bryce Ganious, DL, Wake Forest: Signed as an undrafted free agent with the New England Patriots
- Evan Slocum, DB, Wake Forest: Signed as an undrafted free agent with the Indianapolis Colts
- Kevin Pointer, DL, Wake Forest: Signed as an undrafted free agent with the Las Vegas Raiders
- Branson Combs, LB, Wake Forest: Signed as an undrafted free agent with the Jacksonville Jaguars
Mini-camp Invitations Extended
- Matthew Downing, QB, Elon: Received a mini-camp invitation from the Chicago Bears
Ty French, LB, Gardner-Webb/West Virginia: Received a mini-camp invitation from the San Francisco 49ers - Quantez Mansfield, DL, North Carolina Central: Received a mini-camp invitation from the Minnesota Vikings
Isaiah Greene, DB, Campbell: Received a mini-camp invitation from the Philadelphia Eagles
Kevin Burkett, OL, Elon: Received a mini-camp invitation from the New York Jets - Rahjai Harris, RB, East Carolina: Received a mini-camp invitation from the Buffalo Bills
- Parker Moorer, OL, East Carolina: Received a mini-camp invitation from the New York Giants
- Chantz Williams, DE, Charlotte: Received a mini-camp invitation from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Kaimon Rucker, EDGE, North Carolina: Received a mini-camp invitation from the Philadelphia Eagles
DeVonte Gordon, OL, Wake Forest: Received a mini-camp invitation from the Kansas City Chiefs & Philadelphia Eagles
Also of note:
- Muhsin Muhammad III, who played at Myers Park before spending 2020-24 at Texas A&M, was signed by the Carolina Panthers. Muhammed is the son of former Panthers wideout Muhsin Muhammad III, who spent 11 seasons in Charlotte
👀 Know a North Carolina player who signed as a UDFA or received a mini-camp invitation not listed here? Help us track players from North Carolina who are getting their shot: Tag us on X/Twitter!
Now that the draft is complete, follow our Carolina Panthers’ hub for 2025 schedule information, news, photos, results and more as the season draws closer.
📋 Full List of 2025 NFL Draft Round 1 Picks
Curious how the rest of Round 1 played out? Here’s the full list of picks from Thursday night:
- Cam Ward (QB): Miami Hurricanes –> Tennessee Titans
- Travis Hunter (CB/WR): Colorado Buffaloes –> Jacksonville Jaguars
- Abdul Carter (EDGE): Penn State –> New York Giants
- Will Campbell (OT): LSU –> New England Patriots
- Mason Graham (DT): Michigan –> Cleveland Browns
- Ashton Jeanty (RB): Boise State –> Las Vegas Raiders
- Armand Membou (OT): Missouri –> New York Jets
- Tetairoa McMillan (WR): Arizona –> Carolina Panthers
- Kelvin Banks (OL): Texas –> New Orleans Saints
- Colston Loveland (TE): Michigan –> Chicago Bears
- Mykel Williams (EDGE): Georgia –> San Francisco 49ers
- Tyler Booker (OG): Alabama –> Dallas Cowboys
- Kenneth Grant (DT): Michigan –> Miami Dolphins
- Tyler Warren (TE): Penn State –> Indianapolis Colts
- Jalon Walker (LB): Georgia –> Atlanta Falcons
- Walter Nolen (DT): Mississippi –> Arizona Cardinals
- Shemar Stewart (EDGE): Texas A&M –> Cincinnati Bengals
- Grey Zabel (OG): North Dakota State –> Seattle Seahawks
- Emeka Egbuka (WR): Ohio State –> Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Jahdae Barron (CB): Texas –> Denver Broncos
- Derrick Harmon (DT): Oregon –> Pittsburgh Steelers
- Omarion Hampton (RB): North Carolina –> Los Angeles Chargers
- Matthew Golden (WR): Texas –> Green Bay Packers
- Donovan Jackson (OG): Ohio State –> Minnesota Vikings
- Jaxson Dart (QB): Ole Miss –> New York Giants
- James Pearce Jr. (EDGE): Tennessee –> Atlanta Falcons
- Malaki Starks (S): Georgia –> Baltimore Ravens
- Tyleik Williams (DT): Ohio State –> Detroit Lions
- Josh Conerly Jr. (OT): Oregon –> Washington Commanders
- Maxwell Hairston (CB): Kentucky –> Buffalo Bills
- Jihaad Campbell (LB): Alabama –> Philadelphia Eagles
- Josh Simmons (OT): Ohio State –> Kansas City Chiefs
