4 standouts from Week 1 of Panthers 2025 training camp

USA Today

2 days ago

The Carolina Panthers are a bit more out of sight for this year's edition of training camp. With the organization in the middle of their construction on a new practice facility, fans have not been allowed to attend the team's workout sessions.
But that doesn't mean a few players haven't shined through to start the summer.
Here are four standouts from the Panthers' opening week of camp . . .
WR Hunter Renfrow
Renfrow has yet to drop the pen on his comeback story.
After missing the entire 2024 campaign due to a challenging bout with ulcerative colitis, the former Pro Bowler signed with Carolina in the spring. He impressed head coach Dave Canales during mandatory minicamp and has kept on stacking days into training camp.
"It's just the Hunter Renfrow I remember," Canales told reporters on Saturday. "He looks healthy. I think everyone who's watched football over the last four or five years remembers what he looks like, and he's really playing in top form right now. I'm really excited to have him here and to have his family, which is right down the road here after this practice, just to be able to connect with him. And it's a great story that's unfolding right before our eyes."
The Panthers' wideout room is a bit crowded, at least compared to years past. But the 29-year-old Myrtle Beach, S.C. continues to make an intriguing case for a spot.
WR Jimmy Horn Jr.
Horn is also trying to make a space for himself at the end of the room. The 2024 sixth-round pick, as he did during the spring, has opened quite a few eyes with his speed.
Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Observer noted that Horn looked especially fast in one-on-one coverage drills on Saturday, beating fellow rookie defenders by "four or five yards." And by the looks of his footwork here, that shouldn't be too surprising . . .
Horn made a few nice catches in seven-on-seven action and gave a preview of his prowess as a returner, too.
And like Renfrow, he got some props from up top. Canales described what he admires about Horn on Thursday.
"Yeah, I just love the way that he plays football. It's full speed all the time," Canales stated. "Some guys, we have to really teach them how to get in a walk-through mode. He's one of those guys. Everything he does is fast.
"I think about Deven Thompkins—who I love, who was here last year. They just bring out the best in everybody because you know, when they're out there, they're going 100 miles per hour, full speed and they're looking to take the top off. So, I love that style about Jimmy. And what he's shown us—whether it's in drills or in the team periods, he's just all gas."
OLB Princely Umanmielen
Umanmielen caught the attention of many on Wednesday, when his close call on a strip-sack of quarterback Bryce Young caused an abrupt end to practice. That decision came from Canales, who initially thought Umanmielen was a bit too physical on the play.
Upon further review, however, the rookie pass rusher actually tried to avoid making contact with Young.
"We watched the film—he was actually trying to avoid . . . Bryce didn't have anywhere to go in the pocket," Canales said following Thursday's session. "So as he pulls his arm back, he kinda hits him and you can see Princely running kinda by.
"Still made a point of it. Still great to teach the guys in those moments. But just another great teachable moment for the whole group. Hey, let's not pass judgement on what happened. I saw the play kinda, but I didn't see specifically. We'll be able to rewind it ten times and figure out what happened.
"But had a couple 'nother good rushes today by Princely. Every day, shows up and does something good. I'm really encouraged with the effort, first and foremost, that he's giving and the strain to finish all the way through practice."
One of those good rushes by Umanmielen saw the rookie beat starting left tackle Ikem Ekwonu on an inside move for another would-be sack.
S Demani Richardson
Richardson made what Panthers.com deemed as the "play of the day" from the first outing . . .
Richardson is one of a few contenders vying for the starting spot next to free-agent signee Tre'von Moehrig. If he continues his ball-hawking ways, the undrafted rookie from 2024 could make himself a real factor in the backend of the defense.
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