This ‘film junkie’ grew up studying Luke Kuechly. Then he was drafted by the Panthers
Jackson Kuwatch is a self-proclaimed “film junkie.”
The Carolina Panthers’ seventh-round pick is a linebacker by trade, so there’s little surprise about who he grew up studying on film. Like upcoming Hall-of-Fame inductee and Panthers legend, Luke Kuechly, Kuwatch is from the Cincinnati area, so he is well-versed on the hometown’s hero.
“I grew up watching him a lot,” Kuwatch said of Kuechly Saturday during Day 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft. “He was actually — he was my favorite player — probably still is my favorite player ever.”
Now, like Kuechly before him, Kuwatch, 22, will look to make an impact in Carolina. While the little-known prospect went under the radar during draft weekend, he could immediately contribute on special teams with Devin Lloyd, Trevin Wallace and Claudin Cherelus likely positioned in the top three spots at the inside linebacker.
“Good player,” general manager Dan Morgan said following Kuwatch’s selection. “Good instincts. He can run, can play fast. He sees (the field) really well. A guy that we’re obviously excited about. I think he’s definitely going to be able to contribute on special teams, and again, like every area, he’s going to have a chance to compete and show us what he can do.”
Riding the wave of the draft process
Kuwatch was originally recruited to college football powerhouse, Ohio State, out of high school. While he was able to make it onto the field for three games with the Buckeyes in 2022, he ended up transferring to Miami University (Ohio) in 2023.
During his first two seasons with the RedHawks, he had just 14 combined tackles and a sack. But last season, the light turned on, and he went on to produce 109 tackles (10 for loss), five sacks and a pass breakup.
“I think a big part of that was the opportunity and my mindset,” Kuwatch said about his breakout season. “I feel like I had a switch in mindset and I kind of just went out there and played. I think I did a good job learning from mistakes. I’m a film junkie. I think it was a mindset and kind of just letting loose and playing ball really.”
As a one-year wonder, Kuwatch was initially avoided by the major college all-star games. He was eventually invited to the Hula Bowl and caught the attention of Shrine Bowl boss Eric Galko, who invited him to the Frisco, Texas-based event. The Panthers’ scouting department was in full force during the week of the all-star game as Kuwatch made the most of his opportunity.
“That was great exposure for me being a (Mid-American Conference) player, going to Miami of Ohio,” Kuwatch said. “That week of the Shrine Bowl was super important for me throughout this pre-draft process to kind of prove to people that I belonged and that I could compete with some of the best talent out there. So, I think it was a very important week for me.”
The ‘why’ of it all for Jackson Kuwatch
The Panthers selected Kuwatch with their final pick of draft weekend. While he waited until the 227th overall pick to receive a phone call, the ringing of his cell phone was a life-changing moment.
Carolina’s front office and coaching staff are heavily invested in a culture of players who love the game. They want tough, athletic players who have a keen understanding of why they want to play football at the highest level.
“My ‘why’ for football is (it’s) everything I’ve known,” Kuwatch said. “I started playing in second grade. It’s the first true love of my life, and it hasn’t stopped being. I have so much fun playing the game and my real answer for that would be that feeling of that first hit in the game. That adrenaline rush, there’s nothing like it. You get a little bit of nerves and a little anxious before games, and you just go out there and are able to hit somebody.”
The 6-foot-4, 232-pound defender will most likely get the chance to hit someone early in games on kickoff and punt coverage teams. He’s played a lot of special teams snaps at the college level, and he will likely be asked to play quite a bit in that phase as a rookie in the NFL.
Kuwatch is looking forward to that responsibility.
“Extremely important,” Kuwatch said. “I’ve played — I don’t know what the exact number is — but I think it’s close to 450 career snaps on special teams. I’ve always been a big contributor in my college career, and I look to do the same at the next level for the Panthers.”
But like with any linebacker, Kuwatch wants to get on the field and compete on defense.
Kuwatch received limited defensive snaps during his first three college seasons, but he showed glimpses of brilliance during his final campaign. There’s upside there, and he just needs to show the Panthers that potential in training camp.
“I would describe my style of play as twitchy and quick,” Kuwatch said. “I feel like I’m a sideline-to-sideline linebacker. I am a bigger, taller person, but I feel like I play the game low, tackle low and have some flexibility in my legs.”
The Panthers want the entire roster to compete in camp. While Kuwatch is likely seen internally as a developmental defender, a strong summer performance could help him make a push for a solidified role on Sundays.
With Kuechly hanging around Bank of America Stadium quite often, perhaps the rookie can find a mentor to help elevate his game.
