Marquan McCall - From Undrafted Free Agent to NFL Starter

The big guy in the middle of the Panthers' defense has come a long way.

When Marquan McCall first arrived in Carolina, no one really knew who he was. 

He signed with the team as an undrafted free agent following the 2022 NFL Draft and didn't necessarily put up big numbers during his time at Kentucky. But now that we know more about McCall's game, that's not what he's about.

"I don't look for the tackles and everything like that. I just want to fill my gap and make sure Shaq [Thompson] or Uce [Frankie Luvu] or whoever is behind me make the tackle -- just be a team player."

McCall's production goes well beyond what the stat sheet suggests. He fits the run game extremely well, takes on double teams, clogs up running lanes, and creates opportunities for the linebackers to make plays at or behind the line of scrimmage. 

In this 3-4 defense that Evero runs, he gets to put that skillset on full display.

"I get to show how talented I am as a run stopper and also as a pass rusher because you get a lot more one on ones and just showing them that I can be that one that they need and a guy that they trust on and off the field."

Since McCall signed with the Panthers in April of 2022, he's made a ton of progress both on the field and in the weight room. He weighed 379 during his senior season at Kentucky and now checks in at 345. He played his way into game shape last year and into the rotation up front. Now, he's lining up with the ones and is in line to start Week 1 in Atlanta.

"It's definitely a blessing," McCall said when asked about how far he's come. "I try to tell myself to stay humble and just keep my head down and work like I was an undrafted rookie this year."

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