By the end of the 2025 NFL Draft, the Carolina Panthers did not waste any time in building their roster with the addition of a group of skilled undrafted free agents. With an eye for underappreciated talent and future upside, the Panthers targeted players with solid collegiate production, NFL bloodlines and positional versatility to identify contributors who can impact training camp and beyond.

Ethan Garbers, QB, UCLA

The Carolina Panthers signed former UCLA quarterback Ethan Garbers as an undrafted free agent following the 2025 NFL Draft. Garbers, who began his college career at the University of Washington before moving to UCLA, built a career with the Bruins over four seasons. In his final two years, he accumulated 3,863 passing yards, 27 touchdowns and 14 interceptions, and contributed 263 rushing yards and a touchdown in 22 games.

Garbers, 6’3″ and 209 lbs., will be seeking to compete for the Panthers’ No. 3 quarterback job behind veteran Andy Dalton and starter Bryce Young. He will have to contend with Jack Plummer, an undrafted quarterback who signed with the team in 2024 and had a strong end-of-preseason finish. With the depth chart, a 53-man roster will be difficult to make, but Garbers’ collegiate experience and potential put him on the training camp watch list.

Jacolby George, WR, Miami

Jacolby George played his entire college career with the Miami Hurricanes from 2021 to 2024. He had limited playing time in his first two years, but in 2023, he emerged as a key contributor with 57 receptions for 864 yards and eight touchdowns, earning third-team All-ACC honors. He maintained solid play in 2024 with 53 receptions for 752 yards and eight touchdowns, showing consistency and playmaking ability.

George is slightly under-average size for an NFL wide receiver at 5’11” and 172 lbs. His 40-yard dash time of 4.60 seconds was a concern for his acceleration at the next level. However, his route-running skills and competitiveness have been praised as strengths. The Panthers have invested in their receivers, drafting University of Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan in the first round of the 2025 draft. Despite this, George’s proven production against top-tier college competition gives him a rightful opportunity to contribute as an undrafted rookie.

Muhsin Muhammad III, WR, Texas A&M

The Carolina Panthers signed wide receiver Muhsin ‘Moose’ Muhammad III as an undrafted free agent following the 2025 NFL Draft, adding a familiar name to Charlotte.

Muhammad III is the son of Panthers All-Pro wide receiver Muhsin Muhammad, who played 11 years with the team and is second in Panthers history in receptions (696), receiving yards (9,255) and receiving touchdowns (50). The elder Muhammad was a fan favorite and one of the Panthers’ most significant contributors to their Super Bowl XXXVIII journey.

Muhammad III was a Texas A&M college football player from 2020 to 2024. He played in 43 games with 81 catches for 1,163 yards and 12 touchdowns throughout his five-year career. He began to find his footing as a starter in 2022, and that year finished with 38 receptions for 610 yards and four touchdowns.

The signing of Muhammad III not only adds depth to the Panthers’ roster but also continuity and nostalgia to the franchise as the younger Muhammad looks to emulate his father and make a name for himself in Carolina.

Mike Reid, CB, South Dakota

The Carolina Panthers signed University of South Dakota cornerback Mike Reid as an undrafted free agent following the 2025 NFL Draft. The 6’2″, 200 lb Reid is large in stature and physical presence to bring to the Panthers’ secondary.

During his time at college in South Dakota, Reid exhibited great ball skills and physicality, contributing immensely to the Coyotes’ defense. He was recognized for his performance by the Missouri Valley Football Conference, which reflected his potential to play professionally.

Reid is placed on a Panthers cornerback unit with established starters Jaycee Horn and Mike Jackson Sr. While making the 53-man roster will be tough, Reid’s size and college work provide him with the opportunity to compete for a special teams spot or as depth in the secondary.

Looking ahead

The Panthers’ undrafted free agent class, headed by quarterback Ethan Garbers, cornerback Mike Reid, wide receiver Muhsin Muhammad III and wide receiver Jacolby George, brings a combination of pedigree, production and potential to the roster. Each player brings a unique set of skills to the table, whether it is Garbers’ pocket poise, Reid’s size and physicality in the secondary, Muhammad’s NFL bloodlines and route-running chops or George’s proven playmaking ability in a Power Five conference. 

While the road to making the final roster will be fought, this group gives the Panthers a compelling mixture of depth and ceiling that can manifest in impact contributors both right away and further down the road.