What Luke Kuechly said about Panthers rookie Trevin Wallace after the 2024 NFL draft

Carolina's greatest linebacker was excited to see what the former Kentucky Wildcat could do at next level.

Tim Weaver | Oct 3, 2024

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - SEPTEMBER 22: Linebacker Trevin Wallace #56 of the Carolina Panthers stands on the sidelines during the national anthem prior to an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders, at Allegiant Stadium on September 22, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. / (Photo by Brooke Sutton/Getty Images)

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Carolina Panthers

It's a shame that it happened this way, but the Carolina Panthers are about to get a good look at one of their key picks from the 2024 NFL draft. In last week's home loss to the Cincinnati Bengals veteran linebacker Shaq Thompson went down with a season-ending Achilles injury. It's a heart-breaking development for a player who also missed all but two games last year due to injury, as well.

However, there is a significant silver lining that comes with Thompson's injury: now we'll get to see promising rookie linebacker Trevin Wallace in the starting lineup. Here's what Carolina's future Hall of Famer Luke Kuechly had to say about Wallace coming out of the draft.

When Luke Kuechly talks about linebackers, I listen

On #Panthers rookie LB Trevin Wallace:

"He's athletic, he can run, he's explosive, I'm curious to see how they play him. Can he rush? Can he come off the edge? Can you put him on a RB? I'm excited about him." pic.twitter.com/GtjPC6xqHJ
— Edgar Salmingo, Jr. ✌🏽 (@PanthersAnalyst) May 3, 2024

By now Panthers fans should know not to take what happens during August too seriously. However, for what it's worth Wallace was a training camp and preseason standout. Wallace particularly shined in the ball skills department, nabbing several interceptions at camp. He even picked off four-time league MVP Aaron Rodgers during their one joint practice with the New York Jets.

Wallace did a bit of everything well during his time at Kentucky, but in the modern NFL game linebackers are often exposed in coverage by clever playcallers. How well Wallace adapts to that reality will be his greatest challenge. It would certainly help if he can translate those soft preseason hands into live game picks.