Panthers sign second member of 2023 NFL Draft class; former assistant’s son to try out
The Panthers have reached an agreement with another member of their rookie class.
On Monday, the team announced that it agreed to terms on a four-year contract with rookie guard Chandler Zavala. The terms of the contract weren’t immediately made available.
Carolina selected the former N.C. State offensive lineman in the fourth round (114th overall) of last month’s draft. His selection followed the picks of quarterback Bryce Young (first round), wide receiver Jonathan Mingo (second round) and pass rusher DJ Johnson (third round).
Defensive back Jammie Robinson, the team’s fifth-round pick, agreed to terms with the Panthers last week. Zavala and Robinson were the Panthers’ final picks during draft weekend.
Young, Mingo, Johnson, Zavala and Robinson will all take part in the team’s annual rookie minicamp starting on Friday.
According to the XFL, former UNC wide receiver Austin Proehl — son of former Panthers wide receiver and assistant coach Ricky Proehl — is expected to take a part in a tryout at Carolina rookie camp at Bank of America Stadium. Proehl, who went to Providence High School in Charlotte, was a seventh-round pick of the Buffalo Bills in 2018. He has yet to play in an NFL regular-season game.
Proehl spent the spring in the XFL. He collected 25 catches for 223 yards and a touchdown for the St. Louis Battlehawks.
The XFL also announced that center Dohnovan West of the Vegas Vipers and offensive tackle Derrick Kelly of the San Antonio Brahmas are expected to receive tryouts with the Panthers as well.
West was a 2022 undrafted free-agent signing of the San Francisco 49ers, but he was cut before his regular season began and he spent last season out of the league. Kelly’s previous NFL experience includes a three-year stint with the New Orleans Saints, along with a stops with the New York Jets and New York Giants. He has appeared in seven regular-season games, but has not taken a regular-season snap since 2021.
This story was originally published May 8, 2023 at 6:37 PM.
