Panthers sign tryout player, pass on former players’ sons

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The Carolina Panthers signed three former XFL players – receiver Gary Jennings, linebacker Jordan Thomas and defensive end Antwuan Jackson – from last week's rookie minicamp.

The Carolina Panthers looked closely at 17 tryout players attempting to spark an NFL career during last weekend’s rookie minicamp. Among them were two sons of former franchise standouts, Austin Proehl and Gavin Greene.

Neither was signed, but Greene called the experience “surreal.” The Panthers did sign three former XFL players from last weekend’s camp: defensive end Antwuan Jackson, wide receiver Gary Jennings and linebacker Jordan Thomas, who also worked out at tight end.

Carolina also inked free agent safety Vernon Scott and receiver Marquez Stevenson along with Division II offensive tackle B.J. Young. At 6-foot-6, 337 pounds, Young has an 84-inch wingspan and became the first player from Quincy University to sign an NFL contract. Young, who is coming off an Achilles tendon injury, did not participate in last weekend’s minicamp.

While both Proehl and Greene were longshots at landing a contract, both thanked the Panthers for allowing them an opportunity to try out. They also paid tribute to how the franchise helped mold their families’ lives.   

Proehl’s father Ricky was a wide receiver for the Panthers (2003-05) as well as an assistant coach (2011-16). The younger Proehl was a ballboy during the Panthers’ 2015 Super Bowl run and remains connected to Steve Smith Sr., who helped coach receivers at last week’s minicamp.

“I spent a lot of time here,” Austin Proehl, 27 said. “A lot of days, a lot of nights, whether (Ricky Proehl) was coaching or playing. It was pretty cool.”

The son of Kevin Greene, Gavin is a 25-year-old linebacker who recalled how his family watched the elder Greene cap his Hall-of-Fame career with the 1998-99 Panthers.

“Apparently, these walls haven’t changed since my dad played,” the younger Greene said. “So, I’m legit walking the same exact paths that my dad did. And that’s really special to me, especially in the current situation with him being gone and everything. It means a lot to me.”

Kevin Greene died in 2020.

Panthers coach Frank Reich applauded Proehl and Greene during the minicamp and their attention to detail during positional meetings.
“They’ve been around a little bit," Reich said. “It was kind of cool. Obviously, I know both of their dads. They’ve been around this world and carry themselves in that way. (They) understand football, and it shows.”

Bryce Young needs to earn starting snaps   

After his first two professional practices, rookie Bryce Young will continue to be listed as the No. 2 quarterback for the upcoming organized team activities, behind veteran Andy Dalton, Reich said.   

But Young likely will receive more snaps than most backups.    

“Yeah, Bryce will get a lot of reps,” Reich told reporters after the rookie minicamp's second practice. “As we said, when he’s ready, when it’s best for the team, that’s when we’ll look to make a transition. Right now, we come back out Monday, Andy will be taking reps with the ones, and Bryce will be with the twos.   

“Bryce is gonna get a lot of reps. Likely even get a few more than Andy, just as the new guy.”   

With most of the public pressure to start Week 1 lifted from Young, Reich, the Panthers’ first-year coach, hopes the No. 1 overall draft pick can better focus on learning the offense’s nuances.    

"We’ll focus on getting Bryce focused on getting him as many reps as we can,” Reich said. “As we said, when he’s ready, when it’s best for the team, that’s when we’ll look to make a transition.”   

DJ Johnson: ‘You gotta earn the right to pass rush’    

Third-round draft pick D.J. Johnson is ready to “set the edge.”    

It’s the job the rookie took his first steps toward earning during the three-day, two-practice rookie minicamp.   

 
The outside linebacker from Oregon said he will continue to focus on not allowing any big rushing plays, but with an eye on earning additional responsibilities.  

 
“You gotta earn the right to pass rush,” Johnson said following Saturday’s practice. “Stopping the run is the first thing and as an outside backer, my job is to set the edge.   

 
“So, it’s a big focus.”    

The Panthers’ brass, which traded up to draft the 6-foot-4, 260-pounder at No. 80 overall, is counting on the former tight end’s natural athleticism to overcome his relative inexperience “on the edge.”    

On the Panthers’ pre-OTA depth chart, Johnson is listed as a backup to injured Brian Burns (right ankle) in their base 3-4 defense, per ESPN. Burns, a 2019 first-round draft pick, collected a career-best 12.5 sacks last season.

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