Jonathon Brooks doesn't see resemblance between himself and Panthers great Steve Smith

Carolina's rookie running back has heard people saying he looks like Steve Smith, but he doesn't see it.

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - AUGUST 16: Former Carolina Panther Steve Smith looks on during warm ups against the Buffalo Bills before their preseason game at Bank of America Stadium on August 16, 2019 in Charlotte, North Carolina. / (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

Fans of the Carolina Panthers don't have a whole lot to be excited about for the rest of this season. At 1-5 their chances of making the playoffs are slim to none, and seeing who gets traded and who stays at the NFL trade deadline in a few weeks might be the high-point until next year's draft.

One big exception to that rule is the rookie class of 2024, which at least offers a glimmer of hope that the Panthers might have some ballers in the future. In recent weeks Xavier Legette, Trevin Wallace and Jalen Coker have all flashed on the field, and the biggest star in the bunch has still yet to make his NFL debut.

That's rookie running back Jonathon Brooks, who's still recovering from an ACL tear in November at Texas. Brooks just began his 21-day practice window, so we should see him in a Panthers uniform for the first time in the coming weeks. Brooks was ranked the top running back prospect in his class, and he has some Panthers fans giddy about the future of the run game. Some folks are even seeing shades of the teams' greatest competitor of all time, wide receiver Steve Smith - at least as far as physical resemblance goes.

Brooks has heard the comparisons to Smith, but he's not seeing it. Here's what he said yesteday when asked about it in the locker room.

Jonathon Brooks on Steve Smith comparisons

Jonathon Brooks says he doesn’t see the resemblances between himself and Steve Smith Sr. but admits it’s a “pretty cool comparison.”
•#Panthers pic.twitter.com/w6gkZOFgLq

— Sheena Quick (@Sheena_Marie3) October 17, 2024

Once he's ready to join the lineup head coach Dave Canales will have a difficult decision to make. Starter Chuba Hubbard is playing too well to bench right now, even in favor of a number one running back prospect. Heading into Week 7, Hubbard is among the league leaders in yards before contact and success rate.

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