Former Rebel Jonathan Mingo Signs Rookie Contract Deal with Carolina Panthers
Former Ole Miss Rebels wide receiver Jonathan Mingo signed his rookie contract with the Carolina Panthers this week with the news coming on Tuesday from the franchise.
Mingo was selected with the 39th overall pick this spring by the Panthers, and he joins fellow former Rebel quarterback Matt Corral on the roster, although new draftee Bryce Young (Alabama Crimson Tide) will likely be the team's signal caller.
The wideout suffered an injury in 2021 that slowed his quick momentum in the receiving room, but he came back stronger than ever.
“[It taught me] patience," Mingo said. "You know God does everything for a reason. Sometimes we want something to happen on our terms, but that’s not the case. I broke my foot when I was starting off really hot. Me and Matt [Corral] had a real good connection going, had a setback, came back the last few games and I wasn’t all the way healthy.
"So I went most of the spring, and my foot still didn’t heal all the way, so I had surgery on my birthday, April 20th. Last year I was on crutches at this time, so it’s just a blessing to see how things can change over the course of a year.”
Mingo broke out as the Rebels' leading receiver in 2022. In 12 games, the 6-2 220-pound playmaker totaled 51 passes for 861 yards and five touchdowns, averaging 16.9 yards per play.
Predominantly a slot receiver, Mingo uses his size and footwork to win at the point of attack. Against Alabama's Brian Branch and Texas A&M's Antonio Johnson, Mingo recorded 11 catches for 148 yards and two TDs. Johnson and Branch were projected to be top 50 selections after stellar campaigns in hybrid safeties.
Mingo also set a new school record for receiving yards in a single game (247) in a 2022 win over the Vanderbilt Commodores. That mark also was the highest single-game performance in the country last season by a wideout.
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