QB Bryce Young reacts to Panthers' selection of OT Monroe Freeling

Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young is happy about his new 6-foot-7, 315-pound bodyguard. On Thursday night, Young's Panthers selected University of Georgia offensive lineman Monroe Freeling with the 19th overall pick of the 2026 NFL Draft. And the soon-to-be fourth-year passer, according to president of football operations and general manager Dan Morgan, is hyped about his new teammate.

"He actually texted me, and sounded pretty excited about it," Morgan stated of Young during his post-Round 1 presser. "That was a good text. " Morgan was then asked what the text said.

"I think, just like, 'Let's go,' with exclamation points," he replied with a smile. "So, think Bryce is pretty happy. " And why wouldn't he be?

Freeling enters the NFL as a second-team All-SEC selection from 2025, where he made 13 starts at left tackle for the Bulldogs. He also comes in with a wealth of agility for his size—as he registered a 9. 99 Relative Athletic Score , the second-highest amongst all 1,645 tackles documented since 1987.