Rookies, headlined by Tetairoa McMillan, took the practice field for the first time.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The newest class of Carolina Panthers rookies suited up and took the field on Friday to open rookie minicamp. The Panthers’ eight draft selections were joined by undrafted rookie free agents and a couple of hopefuls trying out for the team. After the first day, Dave Canales was impressed with what he saw.
“Just wanted to see if they could line up and execute those things,” said Panther coach Dave Canales. “It looks really smooth, I’m sure there will be things that pop up, but right now, looks good.”
In the first round of the draft, the Panthers selected wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan out of Arizona. Canales said so far, he has lived up to their pre-draft expectations.
“He looks smooth, easy to throw to, just like we thought,” said Canales. Just taking him through the individual drills, I got the chance to bop between the offense and defense, but in the little bit that I saw, you can see where the route crafting is. [He’s] a guy that works on his craft, comes in, and is ready to go. Really excited about him.”
TMac spoke with the media following the minicamp session and shared how his college experience prepared him well so far.
“I was fortunate enough to play in a pro-style offense, have pro-style coaching at Arizona,” said Panther receiver Tetairoa McMillan. “The tempo, the speed of the game as far as practice goes, is pretty much the same.”
When asked about his impressions of Charlotte so far, TMac says he plans to lock into his football for now.
“I won’t be doing too much around town. I’ll be on the field and in the facility and that’s it,” said McMillan.
Fellow draft pick and receiver Jimmy Horn Jr. from Colorado has a very positive impression of the city of Charlotte.
“Crazy thing, this is where I really wanted to be,” said Panthers receiver Jimmy Horn Jr. “I came on my 30 visit, I prayed about it, manifested it and I got drafted here. It’s really where I wanted to be.”
The receiver room is filled with a lot of talent between TMac, Horn Jr., Legette, Thielen and newly acquired receiver Hunter Renfrow. Horn Jr. said he looks forward from learning from the players around him.
“I’m gonna learn from the guys that played here before me. My natural self, I’m a competitor so I’m going to compete. I’m gonna find a way out there and be as good as I can,” said Horn Jr. I’m not in a rush, I want to learn and soak up as much as I can so when I get out there I can play at my best ability.”
Panthers conclude rookie minicamp on Saturday, and veterans will join later in May for the start of OTAs.
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