Panthers’ Undrafted Standout Jalen Coker Keeps Turning Heads with Bryce Young Connection and Relentless Work Ethic
If you’ve been paying any attention to Panthers training camp this summer, one name has consistently popped up—and not because of draft buzz or hype, but because of playmaking. Jalen Coker, an undrafted free agent out of Holy Cross, has been one of the quiet stars of Carolina’s offseason and now looks poised to make a legitimate push for a roster spot. While most undrafted rookies fight an uphill battle just to stay in the building, Coker has been doing much more than that—he’s been stacking plays with QB1 Bryce Young, including a highlight-reel deep touchdown in Tuesday’s practice that had fans and coaches buzzing.
Coker’s emergence has been one of the more refreshing surprises in Panthers camp. Every year, there’s a player or two who beats the odds, but Coker isn’t just hanging on—he’s pushing for a spot in a wide receiver room that’s already crowded with veteran talent and recent draft picks. And what’s making the coaching staff take serious notice isn’t just his big-play potential. It’s the mindset, the maturity, and the work he’s putting in across every phase of the game.
When asked about his standout performances, Coker didn’t linger on praise or past highlights. “I try not to think about what I did last year,” he said. “It’s a new year every year. If I don’t get better, I’m getting worse.” That’s the kind of mentality that sticks with coaches. It’s not just about surviving—it’s about evolving. Coker knows that last season’s accolades or training camp buzz don’t matter if he doesn’t bring it every single day. That self-awareness and drive are what’s kept him locked in all camp long.
Coming out of college, Coker was the kind of player scouts had differing opinions on. A dominant small-school receiver with size, hands, and body control, he didn’t always get the national spotlight. But the tape showed someone who could compete at the next level, and the Panthers saw enough to bring him into camp as a UDFA. Now, he’s repaying that chance by showing up day in and day out—and by building real chemistry with the franchise quarterback.
His growing connection with Bryce Young has been especially noticeable. Whether it’s in 7-on-7 drills, red zone work, or full team scrimmages, Coker has developed into one of Young’s more reliable targets this camp. The two hooked up for a number of key completions throughout August, capped off with that deep touchdown on Tuesday that left both sideline and social media impressed. Young’s trust in Coker is becoming more evident by the day, and in a league where timing and chemistry matter, that can be the difference between a roster spot and a practice squad assignment.
But Coker’s not just standing out on offense. He’s embraced the less glamorous—but equally important—world of special teams. It’s there that many undrafted rookies make their real case, and Coker knows it. “Coming out of college, you want to just be a receiver,” he said. “But now I know I have to impact in different ways. Special teams, blocking, everything. That’s how I’m trying to become great.” It’s a mindset shift that’s crucial for young players. Coker isn’t just trying to make the team—he’s trying to become indispensable. The more he can do, the harder it is to leave him off the final 53.
And he’s not just saying the right things—he’s backing it up. Coaches have praised his willingness to put in the extra work, his attention to detail on kick coverage, and his willingness to block downfield. In joint practices, he’s shown physicality and effort on every rep, whether he’s the featured target or not. It’s the kind of all-in effort that makes special teams coordinators advocate for you in roster meetings. It’s the kind of effort that turns a fringe camp body into a Week 1 contributor.
The Panthers’ wide receiver room is far from shallow. With veterans like Adam Thielen, DJ Chark, and newcomers like rookie Xavier Legette in the mix, Coker’s path to a top spot on the depth chart won’t be easy. But he’s carving out a lane, and doing it the hard way—through consistency, versatility, and focus. His work this summer has put him firmly on the radar, and the preseason finale against the Steelers could be his final audition to lock down a roster spot or at least guarantee a strong place on the practice squad with eyes on an elevation.
The Steelers game isn’t just another exhibition. For players like Coker, it’s a career-defining opportunity. One more touchdown, one more big special teams tackle, one more wow moment in live reps—that could be enough to tip the scales. He’s been delivering all camp long, and now the lights are on. If he can replicate the kind of effort he’s shown in practice, there’s every reason to believe Coker can earn his way onto the Panthers’ 53-man roster.
Fans have started to take notice too. As the preseason has unfolded, more and more attention has been directed at the former Holy Cross standout. Social media clips of his catches with Young have gone viral among Panthers circles, and his effort level has made him an early fan favorite. In a season where the Panthers are looking for new playmakers to step up and help lift the offense around their young quarterback, Coker’s emergence feels timely—and potentially game-changing.
And it’s not just about talent. It’s about hunger. It’s about how much a player wants it when they come from a background that doesn’t guarantee a second chance. Coker carries himself like someone who’s been overlooked and underestimated, but he doesn’t wear it like a chip on his shoulder—he uses it as fuel. Every rep is a chance to prove he belongs, and every snap is a shot to be more than just another camp story. He’s competing with that kind of urgency, and it shows.
Coaches love that kind of guy. Teammates respect him too. In interviews, several players have commented on Coker’s approach, calling him one of the hardest-working guys in camp. That’s no small thing. In the NFL, where roster spots are decided by inches and effort, being the guy that shows up early, stays late, and gives 100 percent no matter what—it matters.
Coker knows nothing is guaranteed, and that’s why he’s leaving everything on the field. Whether it’s in special teams drills, red zone one-on-ones, or full-team sessions, he’s grinding like every play could be his last. That’s how you make it in the NFL when the odds are stacked against you. And in Carolina, it looks like Coker is turning those odds into opportunity.
With the preseason finale just around the corner, all eyes will be on the final battles for roster spots. For Jalen Coker, it’s one more chance to show that his rise through camp hasn’t been a fluke. It’s a chance to prove he’s not just another undrafted rookie hoping for a shot, but a playmaker who belongs in Carolina’s offense and special teams units. And if he brings the same fire he’s shown all summer, don’t be surprised if he earns himself a locker in that Panthers locker room for Week 1.
Coker has already turned heads. Now he’s got one last chance to turn them into believers.
