Panthers' D'Shawn Jamison runs down NFL opportunity

TROY HULL | THE CHARLOTTE POST

D'Shawn Jamison (29) throws a block to spring teammate Sam Franklin Jr. for a 99-yard interception return – the longest in Panthers' history – in Carolina's 21-13 loss to Minnesota last week.

Carolina Panthers rookie cornerback D'Shawn Jamison lives by advice he learned from an NFL veteran: “The opportunity is here. Don’t give it back.”

When Panthers safety Sam Franklin Jr. intercepted a Kirk Cousins pass at the Carolina 1 last week, Jamison was about five yards deep in the end zone and the quick change presented Jamison a chance to make a big play. He claimed it. By the time Franklin sprinted past the 10-yard line, the undrafted reserve out of Texas trailed by 5 yards.

Ten yards later, Franklin still ran in the clear, sans Vikings Cousins and offensive lineman Ezra Cleveland, who both remained in pursuit. By the 30-yard line, Jamison caught a glimpse of Cleveland and Cousins angling his way toward attempting a tackle. It was time to prove his words.  

“Shoot, I’m known as a track guy,” Jamison said, rehashing one of the top NFL Week 4 plays before Thursday’s practice. “One of my greatest sayings is, ‘Know my stride.’ I just use that to my advantage, and I kept gaining ground.”

At midfield, Jamison trailed Franklin, who was clocked at 20.6 miles per hour by ESPN.com, by 3 yards. As Cleveland faded, Cousins kept his outside angle.

With Franklin 25 yards from the end zone, Jamison hustled to take out the four-time Pro Bowl quarterback. Not to be outdone, Jamison jumped over the fallen Cousins and following Frankie Luvu’s whiff on a block attempt, took care of the Vikings receiver K.J. Olson with a hard left-shoulder block that sent him flying over the goal line.  

That was the Panthers’ lone touchdown in a 21-13 loss at Bank of America Stadium – and Jamison’s first national professional highlight.

Ejiro Evero: ‘It was very impressive’

On the scoring play, Jamison charted 105 yards and registered two pancake blocks. Pretty cool.

“Yes, sir,” he said with a grin. “The thing that was running through my head was just making the block for my teammate. I just wanted to stay in front of him to make sure he got that touchdown.”

Excited to have his unit execute a big play in real-time, Panthers defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero erupted on the sideline as the Panthers opened the scoring last week. What Evero didn’t know was just how much Jamison accomplished on that play.

Recalling the play while watching the game film the next day, Evero grinned while rehashing what he saw during his weekly Thursday press conference.

"I didn't notice until the next day on the film but watching him run – because he was in the end zone, and he ran about 70 yards, knocked [Cousins] down and then ran another 30 yards to get somebody else," Evero said. “It was very impressive.”

At 5-foot-9, 186 pounds, Jamison, who spent the preseason with the San Francisco 49ers before being waived Aug. 30, enjoyed his first extended run as a professional after starting cornerback Donte Jackson injured his shoulder in the first half and didn’t return. Jamison played 34 snaps, second-most among cornerbacks. Jamison’s development has been hastened with Jaycee Horn on injured reserve.

Evero said he is growing more confident the more he witnesses Jamison’s skillset. And his attitude.

"He's very, very competitive, first of all," Evero said. "So from the day he got here, in his scout team reps, on special teams, he's been competing. You always want to look for that trait in a corner. If guys are not shy of the moment, if they embrace the moment, they embrace competition.

“He definitely does that.”

Proving to be playmaker

At Texas, Jamison started 40 games over five seasons (2018-22) and scored four non-offensive touchdowns. His final collegiate TD came via a 69-yard interception return against Louisiana-Monroe last season. A kickoff and punt returner, he also compiled three special-teams TDs, highlighted by a 71-yard punt return during a 2019 Alamo Bowl win over Utah.  

If Jackson remains sidelined for Sunday’s game at the 3-1 Detroit Lions, Evero could again look to Jamison to fill the void.

“He’s got really good speed,” Evero said. “He's learning the game. He's going to continue to get better in terms of just understanding NFL football, but he's just really competed.  
“And that's what I really appreciate about him."

After going undrafted last April, Jamison appreciates a second chance with the Panthers. He appeared in all three preseason games with the 49ers and collected seven tackles (five solo) and one pass defended. The Panthers noticed what he put on film.

“It feels great just to be here,” Jamison said.

When asked about the Panthers’ 0-4 start and reminded that no NFL team has rallied to make the playoffs after dropping their opening five games, Jamison said, “The urgency is always there. It never leaves. That’s what we emphasize.”

Jamison understands the opportunity before him.  

He doesn’t plan to give it back.

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