NFL
Sights, Sounds: Carolina Panthers Kick Off 2-Day NFL Rookie Minicamp
Jeff Hawkins is an award-winning sportswriter with more than four decades in the industry, in both print and digital media. He ed the Sportscasting team in 2021 following a decade of freelancing. He spent his early career as a reporter for various newspapers in Illinois, New York, Florida, North Carolina, and Michigan, with a particular emphasis as a beat reporter for the Chicago Blackhawks. Jeff earned his bachelor's degree in journalism from Oakland University. Over the course of his career he earned several sports writing awards, including two national awards from the Associated Press Sports Editors for column writing and news reporting. One of the five prized columns included a commentary on Get to know Jeff Hawkins better
Published10 May 2025
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The Carolina Panthers opened the 2025 practice schedule Friday by staging their NFL rookie minicamp.
Under the direction of second-year coach Dave Canales, the franchise hosted April’s eight draft picks and a reported 19 undrafted free agents and 14 tryout players. The two-day introduction to professional football wraps up with Saturday’s practice.
Here are X (Twitter) posts highlighting the camp’s sights and sounds Friday …
@Panthers coach Dave Canales directed the #NFL rookies Friday… pic.twitter.com/SYbPPCucY2
— Jeff Hawkins (@WriterHawkins) May 10, 2025
No. 8 overall draft pick Tetairoa McMillan, among the six draftees to sign Thursday, strolled up to his first professional practice. Can the 6-foot-4 receiver develop into Bryce Young’s “X” receiver option? …
T-Mac walking to 1st #NFL practice …. #panthers pic.twitter.com/vPJg8aT3bZ
— Jeff Hawkins (@WriterHawkins) May 9, 2025
Rookie warm-up …
#panthers prospects stretching out Friday at start of #NFL rookie minicamp … pic.twitter.com/aM5DMwJyeS
— Jeff Hawkins (@WriterHawkins) May 9, 2025
The players received the signal to start their next stretching drill …
@Panthers rookies waited for the whistle … pic.twitter.com/A2auPWZhKn
— Jeff Hawkins (@WriterHawkins) May 10, 2025
The players absorbed Canales’s final words before they separated into position groups. The offense was guided by UDFA quarterback Ethan Garbers, who appeared sharp, at times. At other times, however, his throws looked high and wide, testing the receivers’ catch radius …
@Panthers prospects huddle before the start of #NFL rookie minicamp on Friday … pic.twitter.com/BPUAUzvsOd
— Jeff Hawkins (@WriterHawkins) May 10, 2025
Panthers offensive line coach Joe Gilbert seeks young OL prospects to groom this season and started molding Michael Tarquin (71) and Luke Kandra (67) Friday …
Is @Panthers OL coach Joe Gilbert looking at future #NFL depth? … pic.twitter.com/87h5LWJ4h1
— Jeff Hawkins (@WriterHawkins) May 10, 2025
With second-year RB Jonathon Brooks (knee) out for the season, Etienne has an opportunity to fill a key role in Canales’ run-oriented offense. Once he signs, that is …
Can unsigned rookie Trevor Etienne (23) fill the No. 3 RB role in ‘25 … pic.twitter.com/wTzNbFEjF9
— Jeff Hawkins (@WriterHawkins) May 10, 2025
During his two seasons at Colorado, Jimmy Horn Jr. became a favorite of coach Deion Sanders. Will his speed and elusiveness soon make the sixth-round draft pick a favorite of Canales’? …
Coach Prime would be proud of Jimmy Horn Jr.’s (15) #NFL rookie minicamp moves Friday … pic.twitter.com/zwrTVmQd3b
— Jeff Hawkins (@WriterHawkins) May 10, 2025
After displaying his elite catch radius on a few high and wide receptions Friday, T-Mac spoke of his opportunity with the Panthers. Canales gushes over his first impressions. “He looks smooth, easy to throw to, just like we thought,” Canales said …
T-Mac, the #NFL first-round draft pick, speaks after his @Panthers professional initiation … pic.twitter.com/0C9m6matBj
— Jeff Hawkins (@WriterHawkins) May 9, 2025
The Charlotte (N.C) Post reported on a twin brotherly boost …
Ositadinma Ekwonu feels the #NFL @Panthers ' brotherly boost https://t.co/bgXYA9Cjxh
— Jeff Hawkins (@WriterHawkins) May 10, 2025
To close Friday’s opening act, second-round draft pick Nic Scourton (11) and fifth-round defensive tackle Cam Jackson (76) paused after g autographs for a post-practice pose …
2 @Panthers draft picks took time to pose after Friday’s #NFL rookie minicamp … pic.twitter.com/mUvXSCfkRY
— Jeff Hawkins (@WriterHawkins) May 9, 2025
