JEFF HAWKINS | THE CHARLOTTE POST


Carolina Panthers rookie Cam Jackson was drafted to add size to a defensive line that allowed a league-worst 3,057 yards rushing in 2024.

Halfway through a slap-rush drill, Cam Jackson paused, frustrated over a misstep.

After completing the drill, the fifth-round draft pick stomped toward the starting line. He wanted to do it again.

“I actually took a wrong step,” Jackson said with a shrug and wide grin. “I wanted to fix it, so I came through and came back and went through it again and got it right. All part of being a rookie.”

Listed at 6-foot-6, 342 pounds, Jackson’s physical presence is matched by a larger-than-life personality.

“Massive, massive man,” Panthers coach Dave Canales said. “Cam’s up for the challenge and he wants to do something special.”

On to OTAs

The Panthers’ defensive front needs someone special.

Last season, the injury-plagued unit endured a historically bad campaign, surrendering 534 points. Once Derrick Brown went down with a season-ending knee injury in Week 1, the reserves struggled, surrendering a league-worst 3,057 rushing yards.

Jackson shoulders a big responsibility as a rookie with a potential rotational role behind presumed starter Bobby Brown III.

“They were talking to me about that,” Jackson said. “I’m here to stop the run. That’s why they brought me in. That’s what I’ve come here to do.”

That’s why Carolina pursued the 6-4, 332-pound Brown in free agency. Another free-agent signee, Turk Wharton (6-1, 280), played as an undersized nose tackle with the Kansas City Chiefs, but likely will serve as a 3-technique lineman.

With veterans scheduled to join Monday’s meetings, Jackson said he’s prepared to begin offseason training activities. In the Panthers’ 3-4 base defense, the nose tackles will line up alongside returning Pro Bowler Derrick Brown and A’Shawn Robinson. Other rotational ends include LaBryan Ray, Tershawn Wharton and Jaden Crumedy.

“I’m ready to get with the guys on Monday and learn from them,” Jackson said.

Big rookie has bigger personality

When asked Saturday about his first impressions of Jackson, Canales recalled a moment when he passed Jackson, a former Florida standout who was trash-talking Texas A&M alumnus Nic Scourton about their schools’ football and basketball programs.

“They were going back and forth, so he’s got a competitive spirit, which I love,” Canales said. “I like guys that just enjoy life. He’s one of those guys.”

Jackson grinned when he learned of Canales’ comments.

“I love coming out here and having fun with my guys,” Jackson said. “I come out here to work. But that’s part of it, having fun with it and not being so hard on yourself.”

Jackson may be having fun now, but Canales warned that when the veterans return to work, “it’s going to be hard. He’s got that rookie learning curve.”

Jackson’s not backing down. And he’s not concerned with doing drills a second time to get them right.

“When you see him in person and in his pads, that’s a big man,” Panthers general manager Dan Morgan said. “Big, long man that takes up a lot of room, occupies a lot of blocks. He’s going to keep our linebackers free.

“I don’t think many people realize just how mobile he is for a big guy. He’s not just a big man and space-eater. He can move a little bit now, too.”

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