Panthers pick Charlotte native Ikem Ekwonu from NC State in NFL draft
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The Carolina Panthers addressed one of their biggest needs in the 2022 NFL draft Thursday night, selecting N.C. State offensive tackle Ikem “Ickey” Ekwonu, a Charlotte native and one of the top players in this draft class.
Ekwonu, who some thought could go as high as No. 1, fell to the Panthers after a string of defensive players went within the first five picks.
It was the best-case scenario for the Panthers, who were looking for a franchise-caliber player and hoping they could address one of their most pressing needs.
Ekwonu is 6-foot-4, 320 pounds and has long been considered one of the top two tackles in this class, along with former Alabama offensive tackle Evan Neal. He also has experience playing guard.
Ekwonu, nicknamed “Ickey,” has long been considered one of the top two tackles in this class, along with former Alabama offensive tackle Evan Neal. He also has experience playing guard.
Panthers general manager Scott Fitterer said he was shocked that all three of the top tackles were still on the board. The Panthers staff went through nearly 50 scenarios of what could happen within the first five picks, and only a few of those scenarios had Ekwonu still on the board.
The Panthers had Neal and Ekwonu neck-and-neck on their draft board, but what set Ekwonu apart from Neal was his top-30 prospect visit with the team earlier this month.
Panthers coach Matt Rhule said during the visit with Ekwonu, they talked about everything from their favorite restaurants to blocking the three-technique.
Rhule said Ekwonu commanded the room when he visited.
“Players are going to respect the way he plays but also who he is,” Rhule said Thursday night.” I think that 30-visit was one of the best I’ve ever been a part of. We walked away like ‘wow. That’s a grown man.”
“This was about getting an impact player and we felt Ickey was an impact player.”
When asked earlier this month what he looks for in offensive linemen, new offensive line coach James Campen said that he likes his offensive linemen to be well-rounded, but he loves players with attitude.
“I think really the makeup of a lineman has to have tremendous balance of all of those things, but if you’ve got a gritty mother-,” Campen said, before stopping himself from saying a curse word. “A gritty guy. If someone has that grit, that can bring that nastiness, that attitude, those guys are valuable.”
Ekwonu has that.
He played three years at N.C. State, was a consensus All-American, an Outland Trophy finalist and was nicknamed “The Pancake King” for his propensity to plow through defenders.
Ekwonu grew up in Charlotte, where he went to Providence Day High School. He played football and competed in track and field and wrestling, where he was a state champion. He also went to Panthers games as a child and became a fan of the team. He said he was in the crowd when the Panthers won their NFC Championship game against Arizona Cardinals in 2016. He said he had a Thomas Davis jersey.
Ekwonu, who wore a white suit to the draft, said he woke up Thursday morning anxious and nervous.
“I put on my suit at noon today, and the fact that I’m finally here, it’s crazy,” he said with a big smile on his face.
Ekwonu’s addition fills a major hole. Aside from the fact that Carolina allowed 52 sacks in 2021, the Panthers haven’t had a consistent left tackle since Jordan Gross retired after the 2013 season.
“I just want to do everything I can to help win,” Ekwonu said Thursday night. “I’m going to do everything I can to make sure I’m the best player I can, on and off the field.”
The offensive line likely will have four new starters from last year’s Week 1 lineup, including Brady Christensen, who will start at left guard if Ekwonu starts at left tackle.
Many draft experts consider Ekwonu to be a starter on Day 1.
“He’s the real deal,” ESPN draft analyst Jordan Reid told The Charlotte Observer in March. “He’s everything you want in an offensive tackle.”
This story was originally published April 28, 2022 at 8:46 PM with the headline "Panthers pick Charlotte native Ikem Ekwonu from NC State in NFL draft."
