5 reserve/future Panthers players who can contribute in 2021

Clay Johnston – Carolina Panthers LB

Clay Johnston was one of the stars of the popular show Hard Knocks during his time with the Los Angeles Rams last year. His high energy and unrivaled enthusiasm for the game of football was more than evident throughout the series, even if it didn’t see the linebacker make their 53-man roster.

This was the opportunity that the Carolina Panthers were waiting for. Matt Rhule had worked with Johnston previously during their time together at Baylor and made him an offer that changed his mind about remaining in Los Angeles on their practice squad.

The 2020 seventh-round pick was used sparingly by the Panthers this season, which allowed Johnston to develop at his own pace. He did manage to record his first-ever competitive NFL tackle in Carolina’s loss to the New Orleans Saints in Week 17, which is another milestone chalked off and something that the player will be aiming to build on over time.

Johnston has been working his way back from a serious knee injury in college, so not putting too much on his shoulders early on was a wise call to make. It’s clear that Carolina’s coaching staff thinks the world of the player and the experience he’s gained being around an NFL set-up this year should stand him in good stead next time around.