Panthers UDFA Ricky Lee ‘blessed’ to represent HBCUs

PHOTO | JEFF HAWKINS

Former North Carolina A&T offensive tackle Ricky Lee goes through a drill Friday with Carolina Panthers offensive line coach James Campen at rookie minicamp at Bank of America Stadium. Lee, an undrafted free agent, is trying to earn a spot on Carolina's 53-man roster.

James Campen whistled the end to an offensive line drill.

The Carolina Panthers offensive line coach noticed a nuance he wanted to stress to undrafted rookie Ricky Lee. Bending over, Campen went over a few details with the former North Carolina A&T tackle, who may be a long shot to make the Panthers’ season-opening 53-man roster, but took advantage of his opportunity to make an early impression during the two-day rookie minicamp, which wrapped up Saturday.

“My stance was a little narrow,” Lee said. “I just have to get comfortable getting in a wider stance because he said I can bend pretty good. Get a wider stance, get that base, I would become more powerful.  

“I listened. There’s a purpose for everything. I understand that (being coached up) will get me better as a player.”  

Most of the 37 players on the minicamp roster will be hard-pressed to ever dress for an NFL regular-season game. Other prospects, like top overall draft pick Bryce Young, used the experience to gain their first taste of professional life.

“It’s good to finish up,” Panthers coach Frank Reich said. “We had a good showing for two days. Guys were locked in and focused.”

For Lee, it was still “surreal” to put on a Panthers’ helmet. At 6-foot-6, 305 pounds, Lee was one of 13 undrafted rookies signed by Carolina.  

A native of Jacksonville, Fla., Lee is attempting to carry the HBCU flag into the NFL. Lee started his college career at North Carolina Central before transferring to A&T in 2019 and earning a starting role the past two seasons. During a standout ‘21 campaign, Lee started 11 games and accounted for the second-most snaps (648) among the Aggies’ offensive linemen.  

Only one HBCU player was selected during the 2023 draft.  

“A lot of guys don’t get this opportunity,” Lee said. “My dream finally came true. I’m blessed to be here. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime thing. Being part of the top one percent is a blessing. I can’t really describe … I’m speechless.”  

Pausing for a moment, Lee laughed.

“I guess the hard work pays off.”  

Lee also mentioned how the real work is just beginning.

The Panthers’ offseason workouts continue Monday. Lee said he has been invited back and should participate in the next scheduled OTAs, May 23-25.  

“I’m just stackin’ days,” Lee said with a grin. “Stackin’ days.”

With a scheduled off day Sunday, Lee does not plan to waste any time. His work continues.

“I will go back and look at the tape of the first two days to kind of evaluate myself, looking at the good and the bad,” he said.  

Lee impressed undrafted rookie Gavin Greene, the son of former Panthers great Kevin Greene. Listed as a tryout player, the younger Greene went up against Lee on a few occasions.  

“I think he did a great job,” Greene said. “I think I went up against him once or twice.  

“He gave me some good fights.”  

Reich declined to talk about Lee’s “specific evaluation,” but spoke generally about the “undrafted guys.”

“Overall, it was a good showing,” Reich said. “We watched all the tape yesterday. All the individual tape, watching them in every drill, taking notes, watching guys move, react. They came in prepared and did a nice job.  

“Obviously, we won’t be able to keep everybody.”  

Lee is aware.  

For now, Lee said he will continue listening to the coaches, learn from his mistakes and embrace the opportunity.  

“Every day, I understand I’m going to get the best of the best,” he said. “There’s going to be some wins, some losses. But it’s about how you come back, what you do after you lose. You have to get back up after you fall down.

“It’s THE league. It doesn’t get any better than this.”  

To remain in THE league, Lee understands it’s a hard road with challenges awaiting with odds against him making the Panthers’ 53-man roster. But he also understands if he continues to impress his coaches, he could land on the practice squad. Or, if he puts enough on video, he could attract attention from another tackle-needy franchise.

 
“Any opportunity to stay in this league as long as possible,” Lee said. “Making that 53-man is definitely the main goal. I would be blessed.  

“Not a lot of guys get this opportunity, but I’m not satisfied.”

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