Carolina Panthers DT Cam Jackson changing with times   

CAROLINA PANTHERS

LaBryan Ray, Jaelan Phillips, Derrick Brown, Cam Jackson (99), Devin Lloyd, Nic Scourton and Tre'von Moehrig gather during a workout May 12, 2026 at Atrium Health Training Facility in Charlotte. Jackson, a second-year defensive tackle, has impressed teammates and coaches with improved attention to details.

Cam Jackson looked different. 

The Carolina Panthers second-year defensive tackle remains massive, but the 6-foot-6, 328-pounder appears to be going about his NFL training camp business differently, with his new No. 99 jersey. 

The 2025 fifth-round draft choice attacked assignments differently throughout spring and summer offseason training activities and early stages of camp. 
More confidently. 

Some of his returning teammates noticed a difference. 

"Jaycee [Horn] was talking to me the other day and he just said I was way more focused," Jackson said following last week’s third training camp practice. “I’m really just coming in, locked in, coming out here and doing my job, competing.”

But differently, Dave Canales said. The coach noticed changes. 

“Just being comfortable in the system, understanding how we want certain plays to be executed,” he said. “He's a big, powerful man and pair that up with the knowledge of where (he’s) going to be. The more he starts to anticipate what's happening before the snap, the better he'll perform. So that's what I'm expecting from here for Cam is to just keep dialing into the concepts.”

More fluid in second season

With injuries to Tershawn "Turk" Wharton (neck) and Bobby Brown III (hamstring), Jackson lined up fourth on the depth chart early in camp, behind Derrick Brown, LaBryan Ray and Jared Harrison-Hunte. 

When comparing himself this summer to his rookie self, Jackson acknowledged that he no longer practices with such hesitancy. His actions appeared more fluid. 

“I think coming in my rookie year, I'm learning, just trying to get things down.  I was the same way when I was at Memphis, my first year (in 2020), just a freshman, hesitant.  But coming into this year, I’m more confident in what I’m doing. I for sure see how I'm moving different. I go home and watch film. I’m moving way quicker than what I was last year.”

A win away from clinching the NFL South championship last December, the Panthers needed a lift. Trailing the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 16-7, kicker Chase McLaughlin lined up to put the Panthers down by three scores with 5:18 left in Week 18.  

Jackson worked his way through the line and blocked the 38-yard attempt. The Panthers scored on their next possession but lost. 

"I feel like that was a big play,” Jackson said. “It wasn’t no sack or nothing, but it still helped the team. Yeah, that felt good.”

In nine appearances last season, Jackson recorded nine tackles (two solo), one pass defended, and a blocked kick. Despite the Bucs' loss, the 8-9 Panthers earned the division crown via a tiebreaker.

Anticipates first sack

Jackson said he anticipates producing his first NFL sack in the No. 99 jersey Wharton generously traded with him. Wharton recalled his teammate's old look at Florida and the veteran wanted the number he had while playing – and winning two Super Bowls – with the Kansas City Chiefs. 

“He asked me in the offseason, ‘Do you want 99?’ I was like, ‘Yeah. That was my college number,’” said Jackson, adding Wharton didn't ask for anything in return “When I came (to Florida) in 2023, I wore that and I just wanted to go ball out in it. He gave it to me like a big brother-little brother thing.  

"Yeah, that’s cool, man." 

Change can be good. 

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