Undrafted rookie Josh Vann is competing for more than just himself with the Panthers
Josh Vann is competing for more than just himself. Every time he runs a route, or catches a pass, or blocks a defensive back, Vann is putting forth that effort with much higher stakes in mind.
Vann, 23, constantly reiterates to himself that his mission to make the Panthers’ roster is just as much about his family — namely his 1-year-old daughter, Jennah — as it is about him securing his dream job. So, even though he was fatigued throughout the team’s rookie minicamp weekend, Vann — who went undrafted in April — kept pushing forward with Jennah on his mind.
“It was really a shock these past two days, especially (Friday) — I found myself being tired, bending over a lot, gasping for air,” Vann said Saturday. “But today was a lot better for me and I mentally have to tell myself, l gotta do this for my family. I can’t be showing that tiredness very easily to the coaches, just knowing that it’s not just about me. Just taking a step back just knowing, like, of course I’m doing it for myself but me having a family, I gotta give it all I got and, I just gotta pick it up and go.”
Jennah was born to Vann and his girlfriend, Amina Sabria, in December 2021. During that time, Vann was finishing up his senior season at South Carolina. That campaign was the highlight of Vann’s college career, as he caught 43 passes for 679 yards and five touchdowns.
As he was embracing his role with the Gamecocks under head coach Shane Beamer, he was also accepting the job of being a first-time father.
“Just seeing her grow up, it’s been one heck of a ride,” Vann said. “I’m very honored to be her father and now like it all comes back (to) I’m fighting for a roster spot. Just this is my job and whatever I gotta do to provide for her and I’m willing to do it.”
Vann’s quest to make the Panthers’ roster will largely be through special teams. Vann was an excellent punt returner at the collegiate level, and he boosted his return average from 11.8 yard per attempt in 2021 to 15.1 yards per attempt in 2022 as a “super” senior.
But Vann — who is joined on the roster by fellow former South Carolina wideouts Damiere Byrd and Shi Smith — is willing to go beyond the return game to earn his keep on special teams.
“Whatever I need to do to make a roster spot,” Vann said. “Fighting for a roster spot, fighting to make the 53-man roster, fighting to make the 47 cut for travel days for game days — really whatever I can do to make that happen: receiver, returning punts, running down on kickoff, running down as a gunner.”
With no specialists in sight during rookie minicamp, Vann had to show off his skills at receiver throughout the weekend.
Vann ended the camp on a positive note. First overall pick, quarterback Bryce Young, found him streaking toward the sideline on a crossing route after the signal-caller escaped the pocket. Young threw across his body to connect with Vann, who snatched the ball out of the air before he ran out of room.
“I just tell myself before practice, when I wake up, my goal is to catch every ball today,” Vann said. “I don’t know how many I’m gonna get, but whenever any ball comes from Bryce or whoever is going to be throwing to me, just make sure I catch it. And, I’m lucky he saw me and he threw it to me and I gotta make him look good and go catch the ball.”
Vann describes himself as an elusive, smooth route runner, who can track the ball with great vision. With Adam Thielen, DJ Chark, Terrace Marshall and second-round pick Jonathan Mingo already claiming four spots on the depth chart, Vann needs to use every attribute he has to impress the coaching staff and earn a job.
With one or two receiver spots up for grabs, Vann is hoping to push past his undrafted pedigree and contribute right away — for his team, himself and his family.
“It’s all equal now,” Vann said. “Now I just got to come out here and compete and work my tail off for a spot. And whatever way I can help this team, I’m going to do it.”
▪ Following the Panthers’ rookie minicamp weekend, the team signed undrafted offensive tackle BJ Wilson to a contract on Monday. Wilson, a rookie from Quincy University in Illinois, was not part of the group that took part in the minicamp. Listed as 6-foot-5 and 337 pounds, Wilson will compete for a roster spot behind the top three tackles, Ikem Ekwonu, Taylor Moton and Cam Erving, during training camp.
This story was originally published May 16, 2023 at 6:30 AM.
