5 young Panthers players who have turned it on at camp
By Dean Jones
Carolina Panthers Player No. 1: Troy Pride Jr. – CB
One player who has really come to the fore at training camp is Troy Pride Jr. The Carolina Panthers used their fourth-round selection in the 2020 NFL Draft to select the cornerback and it is clear the former Notre Dame standout is eager to repay the faith shown in him by the organization.
Pride Jr. has all the tools needed to make a real go of things at the next level. His elite speed is something that is going to be of significant use, and he is fluid enough in his motions to cope with more prolific wide receivers in the NFL.
There are some kinks to his game that need working out, most notably his tackling in open space. But Pride Jr. has made a smooth adjustment to the pro ranks if his performances during team drills are any indication.
Getting out on the field in a competitive setting is a completely different ball game. And rookie cornerbacks do tend to go through their fair share of struggles as they acclimatize to life in the big leagues.
It might be prudent to keep that in mind when looking at Pride Jr.’s performances in 2020. But if he can continue to show this sort of commitment to developing his outstanding skill set, then the Panthers are going to have a tremendous player on their hands.