The Carolina Panthers got themselves a look at a local product on Thursday.
Per the league transaction wire, the Panthers worked out former University of North Carolina defensive lineman Kevin Hester. The 6-foot-4, 310-pound defender has also worked out for the Houston Texans, who hosted Carolina for a joint practice this morning.
A Kennesaw, Ga. native, Hester attended North Cobb High School—where he started playing football again after switching his focus to basketball in eighth grade. Eight days after joining North Cobb’s football team, Hester received a scholarship offer from the University of Southern Mississippi.
He ended up at Chapel Hill, where he played from 2019 to 2024. Over his six seasons for the Tar Heels, he amassed 150 combined tackles (nine for a loss), 5.0 sacks, two forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and a pass defensed.
Hester went undrafted this past spring.
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