Panthers' NFL rookie camp invitee Patrick Payton embraces opportunity
The former LSU/Florida State undrafted free agent seeks a chance to join Carolina's 91-man offseason roster.
Panthers' NFL rookie camp invitee Patrick Payton embraces opportunity originally appeared on The Sporting News . Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here . CHARLOTTE, N.
C. -- Patrick Payton, moments after wrapping up his first NFL practice, flashed a sly grin. Reminded of his five-sack performance against 2025 first-overall draft pick Fernando Mendoza during a 2020 high-school rivalry game in Miami, the Carolina Panthers ' undrafted free agent shrugged, smiled and said: "It felt good.
"Now that you look at it, he's the Heisman Trophy winner. It's better. " After spending his redshirt senior season at LSU, Payton earned an invitation to participate in the Carolina Panthers' rookie minicamp , which opened Friday at the practice fields near Bank of America Stadium.
Despite the long odds, Payton appreciated the opportunity . "Everybody wants to be a drafted guy, but God sometimes puts you in a situation to test you to see if you really want it," Payton said . "I want to showcase my skills and show I really want it.