Ositadinma Ekwonu feels the Panthers' brotherly boost

JEFF HAWKINS | THE CHARLOTTE POST

Linebacker Ositadenma Ekwonu, who played a season with the Charlotte 49ers after transferring from Notre Dame, is trying to make the Carolina Panthers as an undrafted free agent. His twin brother Ickey, is the Panthers' starting left tackle.

Standing along the sidelines following his first NFL practice, Carolina Panthers undrafted free agent Ositadinma Ekwonu refused to look too far ahead.  

A former Charlotte 49ers standout, Ekwonu, the younger twin brother of Carolina left tackle Ikem, entered the start of Friday's rookie minicamp with something to prove.  

"My mindset is if you put in the work, you'll reap the benefits," he said.

The Panthers hosted their recent draft picks, along with 19 undrafted free agents and 14 tryout players. The two-day prospect showcase wraps up Saturday. Some will be invited back for offseason training activities and perhaps training camp. Most will not. 

Hopeful of an opportunity to practice with his brother in the summer, Ekwonu was focused only on Saturday's film study and workout.  

"I'm not looking to the end of camp," he said. "I'm focusing on where my feet are now. Do the best I can for this practice."

Family-friendly practices

Carolina is turning the rookie camp into a series of family affairs. Along with Ekwonu's twin connection, Graham Walker, half-brother of Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and receiver Moose Muhammad III, the son of former Panther Muhsin Muhammad, participated Friday.

Coach Dave Canales said the younger Ekwonu displayed some confidence during his first professional practice. A 2018 NCISAA second-team all-state pick at Providence Day, the junior Ekwonu spent four seasons with Notre Dame before transferring to Charlotte.

"For this opportunity, he kinda knows this environment, this city (and) he certainly feels comfortable," Canales said. "I saw him being confident, making calls out there, so great opportunity for him."

The Panthers' linebacker rotation likely begins with Josey Jewell, Trevin Wallace, Christian Rozeboom and Claudin Cherelus. For Ekwonu to earn an OTA invitation, he may have to prove himself on special teams.

On the eve of rookie camp, the Panthers announced the signings of six of eight draft picks: receivers Tetairoa McMillan and Jimmy Horn Jr., edge Princely Umanmielen, safety Lathan Ransom, defensive lineman Cam Jackson and tight end Mitchell Evans.

Edge Nic Scourton and running back Trevor Etienne remain unsigned, but they participated Friday.

A brotherly boost

The younger Ekwonu knows the grind of major college football. His professional future? He's not looking too far ahead.

"I'm very blessed to be in this situation," he said. "As an undrafted free agent, I have a chip, but I've put in the work, prepared the best I could."

Ekwonu didn’t have to venture too far out of his close personal circle to find a training partner to get him NFL-ready. Of course, there's generally little question which twin leads the way.

"[Ickey's] four minutes older," Ositadinma said with a laugh. "He never lets me forget it. Every time he tries to get me, he tells me, 'I'm the older brother.'"

Ikem Ekwonu, who also played at Providence Day, told reporters May 1 he was rooting for his younger brother.  

"It's been a long time since we’ve been on the same team, same field,” he said. “He doesn't need too much advice. I know he's going to go out there and kill it."

Ositadinma appreciated the boost. 

"We were very close," he said. "We shared a room for a little bit growing up. I'm sure we gave our parents a lot of issues, breaking things all over the house." 

The younger Ekwonu tried to cause havoc on the practice field Friday and catch Canales' eye.

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