A trio of undrafted Carolina Panthers rookies are (technically) undrafted no more.
The UFL held its college draft on Wednesday, giving some fresh faces a second chance at hearing their names called this offseason. Three of Carolina’s undrafted free-agent signees from the spring got that experience this morning, and they are as follows:
Round | Pick (Overall) | Team | College | |
WR Jalen Coker | 4th | No. 25 | Memphis Showboats | Holy Cross |
DT Popo Aumavae | 4th | No. 27 | Arlington Renegades | Oregon |
C Andrew Raym | 6th | No. 41 | Memphis Showboats | Oklahoma |
Coker, who many experts pegged as a solid Day 3 prospect in the 2024 NFL draft, is a name that should jump out to many. He certainly jumped out to Panthers head coach Dave Canales, who provided quite the breakdown of the intriguing 6-foot-1, 208-pound receiver during rookie minicamp in early May.
“Size, instincts, top-of-route ability to separate,” Canales said of Coker’s strengths. “He’s really crafty in zones. He knows how to find the open spaces. Has a little cool run-after-catch, too. He can break some tackles because of the size that he brings. Attacks the ball at the high point. I mean, the guy really does have a cool skill set that he brings to us. So I’m excited to see him kinda get introduced as we start to develop out football, especially in Phase Three OTAs. Let’s see what he looks like against NFL talent. But I’m really excited about him.”
Players taken in the UFL’s draft can opt to join the league if they do not make an NFL roster for this upcoming season.