CHARLOTTE — Princely Umanmielen has run out of the tunnel at EverBank Stadium plenty of times. He played there every year of his college career, the first three years as part of the annual Florida-Georgia rivalry game, and last season with Ole Miss for a bowl game.

But Sunday definitely felt different.

"It's crazy because when I was running out the tunnel, I'm like this is a stadium I played in every season of my career in college, but it just, I'm just like, wow, this is not a college game anymore," recalled Umanmielen on Wednesday, a bit of awe still in his voice. "I have an NFL logo on my jersey."

The differences didn't stop there. The outside linebacker had six snaps on special teams, the most he's ever played in a game.

"It was my first time actually playing special teams in a game. I think I did an acceptable job. I think I have a lot of room to improve and get better in the special teams," said Umanmielen.

He also had eight snaps on defense, and with each one, realized reports of the speed of the game changing from college to the NFL were true, even if he couldn't feel it up close.

"I don't think I got one-on-one once. I think I got chipped every single play I was in there, so I didn't really get to completely feel the speed," laughed Umanmielen. "I know, the ball was getting out really fast, like the quarterback was making reads faster than I'm used to in college, but as a whole, I think I did an OK job, but I still have room to improve."

The speed at the NFL level can often be felt, to some degree, at every position. His is where it's usually most noticeable, though, given their proximity to the ball and that the majority of the job is to get to the quarterback before the ball comes out, which often happens in three seconds or less.

His fellow rookie outside linebacker, Nic Scourton, was on the field for 18 defensive snaps. With each one, Dave Canales saw glimpses of who the Panthers drafted in the second round back in April. But he's still waiting to see the full impact, which can come with time for young pass-rushers.

"High-energy, but definitely feeling his way through it," Canales said. "I have a picture of him when he's at his confident and fast as best, and for me, when he was out there, he was kind of like a little bit measured and then (he goes).

"So the challenge for Nic is just to go make the play full speed, the mistakes full speed, and we'll correct it from there. And that's been his calling card, that's the style that he plays with, going back to his college film and what I've seen throughout camp. Now, play with that kind of tenacity."

Scourton, for his part, feels confident that it will come as he better learns how to marry his preparation with game day at the NFL level.

"I feel like that's just something you get in the rhythm of the game, but I think my approach to the pass was the same," Scourton explained Wednesday. "I mean, obviously, the speed's different, you don't know what's coming. It's not practice. You don't know how it looks, but I feel like out there, I didn't necessarily feel lost, and I think I'm just trying to build on the corrections from last week and just put a good week to practice together to be ready for that."

This week of practice and Sunday's Week 2 matchup at Arizona will present even more challenges, thanks to Kyler Murray. The Cardinals quarterback is known for holding on to the ball a little bit longer, but making his own magic during that time. He doesn't hesitate to leave the pocket, and will keep looking downfield to make a throw until the last second, at which point he'll take off and juke defenders in the open field to pick up yardage.

"Yeah, he's definitely a challenge, especially with the agility and speed that he has," Umanmielen admitted. "So this week we're just honing in on keeping our rush lanes and making sure that we have contain on him and try to stay disciplined in our rushes."

Added Scourton, "I mean that's Kyler Murray, but I think, you know, like anybody else, we got to keep him in the pocket, you know, and try to limit him from killing us with his legs. That's easier said than done."

Safety Lathan Ransom, despite growing up in Tucson, Arizona, an hour and a half from the Arizona Cardinals' stadium, had never been to an NFL game until playing in one during the preseason, and then Sunday for the regular season. So every moment was new and different.

"I got two older safeties playing ahead of me that I can learn from every day, and that's what I'm trying to do, man, super excited," said Ransom. "I like to do what my coaches want me to do, and that's go out there and play hard when I get the opportunity to."

Those opportunities could come at any time. The Panthers had more rookies on the active 53-man roster (12) for opening day than they ever have in franchise history. If injuries happen and a backup player is asked to step up, or rotations are sent in for specific packages, there's a good chance a rookie will be involved.

"Our staff knows, we all know here, we are developmentally minded, that's our philosophy," said Canales this week. "You get (48) guys on game day, three of them are special teamers. So, you got (45). These guys all have to play at some point…these are the guys, they're all going to have to play at some point, and just continuing to pour into them."

Whether that comes Sunday against the Cardinals, weeks from now, later in the season, or a year from now, those who are a part of this rookie class are ready.

"Hopefully, in the next game, I get a little bit more reps, but I'm just prepared for any way that the coaching staff needs me," said Umanmielen.

Echoed Scourton, "I'm just told to be ready to go when it's time. So I think I'll play a little more snaps once I earn that trust."