CHARLOTTE — The first few days a rookie class is in their new building can feel a lot like summer camp. Everyone is playing a round of ice breaker questions at the lunch table, card games popping up in the hallway, and leaning on each other because there is no one else to depend on. Then the rest of the team returns, and guys get pulled in different directions.
They move out of the rookie hotel into their own places, get sucked into meetings, and are wrapped up with their own units. It's a normal and expected process.
No one told the Carolina Panthers rookie class that's what they were supposed to do.
"They've really kind of bonded, which is a fun group to work with," noted offensive coordinator Brad Idzik.
As veterans returned for OTAs and mandatory minicamp, the eight-man draft class got to know their new teammates, forming relationships and mentorships with those who have already walked this path. But they've also found pockets of time to stay connected, such as having lunch together, planning video game nights at Nic Scourton's house, or even offering a couch to a fellow rookie who might not have found a place to stay yet.
"We all want to do whatever we can to help each other succeed at the end of the day, and I feel like that's what keeps us close and why we're so tight knit is that we all have the same end goal in mind and we'll help each other reach those goals," said running back Trevor Etienne.
"You just spend time with them. You get to know more about people's personal lives and why they are the way they are and what got them here."
General manager Dan Morgan and coach Dave Canales discussed extensively this offseason the importance of drafting not only fierce competition, but also a specific type of mindset they wanted in the locker room, by bringing in a rookie class that fit that mold—melding with the veterans Morgan meticulously chose, a huge foundational piece was set.
"We bring the guys in the building that fit the mold of their approach to the game," echoed Idzik of the message. "Obviously, you want to be a skilled football player, but like these guys, their approach has been professional since day one."
Added Scourton: "I mean, I think they drafted a really good group of guys, and I think we all just get along and we're all very competitive. I feel like I could be around focused, competitive people, so I think like our draft class is that, we got a lot of good people who love football and are very competitive, so it's easy to get along with them."
As Chuba Hubbard and Tommy Tremble—drafted together in the 2021 class—have shown, it's a bond that can help carry a rookie class off the field through the trials and tribulations of that first year in the league, but also pay dividends on the field. Idzik is already seeing it happen.
"All those guys really are helping each other out, too, which is really cool to see out of a rookie class. Whether it's the running backs, jumping in their room and then helping each other out, the tight ends and receivers working together," said Idzik. "As we incorporate them with the full team... how do they mesh with the full group? They've done a great job so far."
And as they return next week for training camp, with the rookie class coming in a day early, they will continue to have each other as they navigate yet another new time.
"You keep feeding them a little bit more, every day, and you see, OK, is there going to be a rookie wall here," continued Idzik.
"These guys are preparing to avoid that rookie wall altogether, and I think they're doing that together, which is a lot of fun to see, a little bit of camaraderie between the rookie class."
Check out photos of each draft pick the Carolina Panthers selected in the 2025 NFL Draft from their college years.
Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan, left, scores a touchdown as New Mexico cornerback Bobby Arnold III (0) pursues during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb)
Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan (4) catches a touchdown pass in front of UCLA defensive back John Humphrey during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love (4) breaks a tackle attempt behind the line of scrimmage by Texas A&M defensive lineman Nic Scourton (11) during the fourth quarter of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024, in College Station, Texas. (AP Photo/Sam Craft)
Texas A&M defensive lineman Nic Scourton gestures during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Arkansas, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Mississippi defensive end Princely Umanmielen (1) waits for the snap against Duke, during the second half of the Gator Bowl NCAA college football game in Jacksonville, Fla., Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Gary McCullough)
Mississippi defensive end Princely Umanmielen (1) tackles Kentucky quarterback Brock Vandagriff (12) during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Kentucky on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, in Oxford, Miss. Kentucky won 20-17. (AP Photo/Randy J. Williams)
Georgia running back Trevor Etienne (1) runs the ball during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Mississippi on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, in Oxford, Miss. (AP Photo/Randy J. Williams)
Georgia running back Trevor Etienne (1) is forced out of bounds by Auburn's Keyron Crawford (24) short of the end zone after making a catch in the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Ohio State defensive back Lathan Ransom plays against Indiana during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
Oregon wide receiver Traeshon Holden (1) catches a pass over Ohio State safety Lathan Ransom (8) during the second half in the quarterfinals of the Rose Bowl College Football Playoff, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Florida defensive lineman Cam Jackson (99) grabs the facemask of Georgia running back Daijun Edwards (30) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023, in Jacksonville, Fla. No penalty was called. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Samford quarterback Quincy Crittendon (2) is sacked by Florida edge George Gumbs Jr., bottom and defensive lineman Cam Jackson (99) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Notre Dame tight end Mitchell Evans (88) collides with Pittsburgh defensive back Marquis Williams (14) as he leaps in the air during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023, in South Bend, Ind. (AP Photo/Michael Caterina)
Notre Dame tight end Mitchell Evans (88) makes a catch that was called back as Florida State linebacker Blake Nichelson (20) defends during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, in South Bend, Ind. (AP Photo/Michael Caterina)
Colorado Buffaloes wide receiver Jimmy Horn Jr. (5) runs for a touchdown against North Dakota State Bison during an NCAA college football game Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024, in Boulder, Colorado. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Colorado wide receiver Jimmy Horn Jr. (5) in the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in Boulder, Colo. AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
