Panthers wrap up draft, adding red meat and ‘a dog’

NORTH CAROLINA STATE SPORTS INFORMATION

Former North Carolina State guard Chandler Zavala, the Carolina Panthers' fourth-round pick, started his collegiate career as a 260-pounder at Division II Fairmont State.

With just two picks Saturday over the final four rounds of the NFL Draft, the Carolina Panthers picked up a son of an award-winning chef and an emotional “dog.”

Former North Carolina State guard Chandler Zavala, who was selected in the fourth round, comes to the Panthers as a red meat-eating offensive lineman who is expected to play a role in protecting No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young, the franchise’s quarterback of the future. Zavala is the second N.C. State offensive lineman drafted by Carolina in as many years. Left tackle Ickey Ekwonu was the Panthers’ first-round pick in 2022.

The Panthers’ final selection, in the fifth round, Florida State safety Jammie Robinson, said he will arrive in Charlotte with a “chip on my shoulder.”

Zavala ate his way up NFL draft charts

Zavala’s journey to the NFL started as an undersized player at Division II Fairmont State. At 260 pounds, the Boynton Beach, Fla., native quickly realized he needed to add bulk. He didn’t have to go far for advice.

Zavala’s father, Demetrio, is a two-time ‘Chopped’ titleholder. He knew what to do.

“Coming out of high school, I wasn’t a big dude,” the younger Zavala said during a call with reporters. So, I had to put on a lot of weight.”

To help his son, Demetrio packed a dry-ice cooler with “like 25 pounds of beef,” Zavala said. “He always made sure I had enough food to eat so I can get bigger.”

Well, Zavala ate four times a day and got bigger. And better. After two seasons in D2, he transferred to N.C. State, where he continued to eat red meat and got even bigger and better.

Now 6-foot-5, 325 pounds, Zavala is ready to carve out a role along the Panthers’ offensive line.

With Austin Corbett recovering from a torn ACL that could cause him to miss the start of the 2023 campaign, Zavala could receive plenty of early looks this offseason.
What does he plan to show the coaching staff?

“I am a great pass protector,” he said, adding he was comfortable playing in both power and zone schemes. “This year, I showed that I am a great pass protector. And then my running ability. I have great lateral movement and I can also be a mauler when needed.”

After playing just one season of high school football, Zavala evolved into a first-team All-ACC pick last season and the 114th selection in the draft.
Zavala was asked what his father was preparing for a draft day celebration dinner.

He laughed.

“Tacos,” he said. “We gave my old man a break.”

Robinson: ‘I know I was better’

The first Florida State defensive back to earn back-to-back first-team All-ACC honors since Jalen Ramsey (2014-15), Robinson comes to the Panthers with an attitude.
Friday night, after being passed over during the second and third rounds, “I cried,” he told Charlotte media.

Upon receiving a call from the Panthers that he would be the 145th pick, Robinson’s hurt feelings quickly turned into motivation.

“Well, I know that I was better than a lot of guys that got picked,” he said. “Yesterday, I cried because I didn’t get picked.

“I had expectations. In the draft, there’s no one who knows what’s going to happen. You had your nerves up just sitting there waiting on your phone to ring and not knowing if it’s going to ring.”

Now?

“I’m going to come in and compete for a spot,” he said. “I’m going to handle my business and get to work.

“I got that chip on my shoulder, too. Hey, I’m just ready to work.”

Despite his diminutive size – 5-foot-11, 191 pounds – Robinson is an aggressive tackler. A starter for all 13 Florida State games last season, he led the Seminoles with 99 tackles and earned the team’s defensive MVP award. He earned ACC Defensive Back of the Week after recording 13 tackles against then-No. 22 Wake Forest.

Robinson knows the Carolinas, spending his first two collegiate seasons at South Carolina. A natural safety, Robinson is expected to rotate as a nickel/dime defender and will likely play special teams. That’s fine with him.

“I’m a team guy,” Robinson said. “I don’t care what position I play as long as I’m on the field.

“I’m a dog.”

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