4 players who came out of nowhere for the Carolina Panthers in 2021
By Dean Jones
Frankie Luvu – Carolina Panthers OLB
There was more hope than expectation when it came to Frankie Luvu before the season. The outside linebacker was signed to a short-term deal by the Carolina Panthers in free agency following an indifferent spell with the New York Jets that wasn’t enough to earn a bigger commitment, so the jury was out as to whether this signing would pan out.
This was an area of little depth for the Panthers, so opportunity knocked for Luvu in that sense.
It’s fair to say he’s made the most of it.
Luvu has been a breath of fresh air from the moment he stepped into the organization. Keeping the advice gained from former Panthers’ edge rusher and Pro Football Hall of Famer Kevin Greene in mind, the Washington State product earned a spot on the rotation and has made some splash plays both on defense and special teams throughout the campaign.
It’s hard not to love the way Luvu goes about his business on the field. He is fast, aggressive, and plays the game with boundless enthusiasm. Something that’s made him an instant fan favorite in the process.
Should things continue in this fashion over the next five games, then the Panthers could end up giving Luvu some long-term security with a new deal. If this scenario comes to fruition, nobody will have earned it more.