CHARLOTTE, N.C. – On April 9, 2016, the spring before his senior season at Ocean Township High School in Oakhurst, New Jersey, quarterback Kenny Pickett tweeted, “Honored to say that I have COMMITTED TO Temple University!!’’
The tweet was accompanied by a few images, including one showing the three-star quarterback wearing No. Standing next to Matt Rhule (then-Owls coach), the 2 Temple jersey. Carolina Panthers.
“I got to see practice. It was a little cold today — it was snowing — but the intensity was still there like it was 75 degrees and sunny,” Pickett told NJ.com that day. “So you can tell why they are successful. Most schools would have been in the indoors. And they were out in the snow, and they had more energy than I’ve ever seen on a 30 degrees snowy day for spring practice.’’
Honored to say that I have COMMITTED to Temple University‼️ pic.twitter.com/WQaGVnluCe
— Kenny Pickett (@kennypickett10) April 9, 2016
Pickett did not make it to Temple. After a great senior season, Pickett’s profile increased and he received offers by more established programs. He was accepted by the University of Pittsburgh and he became a top NFL prospect in his five years there.
Pickett is at Senior Bowl as the undisputed top quarterback prospect in NFL Draft. Rhule is giving Pickett a second chance as head coach of Carolina.
The Panthers met with Pickett in Mobile, Alabama, the site of Saturday’s Senior Bowl (2:30 p.m. ET, NFL Network. They plan to meet again with Pickett before Day 1 of draft on April 28. 6 pick. While they also have a big need at left tackle, Pickett can’t be ruled out because Carolina needs a franchise quarterback, even if that means reaching.
Mel Kiper Jr., ESPN draft analyst has Pickett ranked No. 16 on his latest big board. Todd McShay is also a coworker and has Pickett 16th, just behind Ole Miss. Matt Corral.
Kiper has two left tackles — Alabama’s Evan Neal (3) and North Carolina State’s Ikem Ekwonu(5) — ranked in his Top Five
When it comes to which way the Panthers will lean in the draft, Rhule’s past relationship with Pickett could be the trump card. That the coach’s future at Carolina, where he is 10-21 in two seasons, could hinge on getting a franchise quarterback.
Pickett said he and Rhule still have a “great relationship.’’
“I trust him,’’ Pickett told reporters in Mobile. “Talking to all the players he coached prior to when I was thinking about committing, that’s what they all talked about, what a great guy he is and how hard they played for him.’’
Two quarterbacks are currently under contract with the Panthers, starting Sam DarnoldBackup P.J. Walker. Both are not long-term solutions.
Carolina could be open to trades for veteran quarterbacks, such as the Seattle Seahawks‘ Russell Wilson, San Francisco 49ers‘ Jimmy GaroppoloAnd maybe Houston Texans‘ Deshaun Watson. The free-agency class is weak, so if a trade doesn’t happen, Carolina will be left with the draft to improve its quarterback situation.
Even though this quarterback class isn’t considered as strong as last year’s, when the top three picks were quarterbacks, Pickett is a Heisman Trophy finalist with potential after passing for 4,319 yard and 42 touchdowns to seven interceptions this past season.
Jim Nagy, Senior Bowl executive director, stated that Pickett, a 6-foot-3, 217-pound quarterback, reminded him a bit of Joe BurrowThe 2020 draft’s top pick, who has led the Cincinnati BengalsNext week’s Super Bowl.
Nagy recommended Pickett’s return to Pittsburgh for his final year as a player. He was coming off a junior season where he had thrown 13 touchdowns and nine interceptions.
“That’s a heck of an intro,’’ Pickett said with smile when asked of the Burrow comparison.
While Carolina general manager Scott Fitterer said last month rebuilding the offensive line was his top priority, he didn’t rule out taking a quarterback in the first round, in an interview with the team website this week.
“If you have a quarterback you think you can win with long term; obviously, you’d probably lean that direction,’’ Fitterer said. “It’s not the safest way to go, but you have to take your shots. Any time you’re in the top 10, you’ve got to think about taking a shot on a quarterback if you’re able to.’’
And Fitterer likes Pickett. He got an up-close look at him in December when Pittsburgh beat Wake Forest 45-21 in the ACC Championship at Carolina’s Bank of America Stadium.
Pickett threw 253 yards and two touchdowns. He also added a highlight reel, a 58-yard run. This was extended by a fake slip to freeze the defenders. It shows Pickett’s moxie.
.@Realrclark25Kenny Pickett’s false slide may lead to future targeting penalties by defenders. pic.twitter.com/sx02atGQHF
— ESPN (@espn) December 6, 2021
“I was really impressed with the competitor, just watching him play,’’ Fitterer said last month. “Watched his arm strength in the pregame and all that checked the box. Everything we’re hearing, the reports from our scouts, the visits they’ve had with him, people that have been around him, everything is kind of checking the box.
“This guy sounds like the makeup you want to have at the position.’’
Pickett, 23-years-old, was liked enough by Rhule in 2016 to grant him a scholarship to a Temple team that had just finished a 10-4 year.
“Yeah, it was a great time for Temple football,’’ Pickett said. “I’m close to Philly, like an hour and 15 [minutes]So I was happy to be near my house. They were trending upward.’’
Pickett decided to return his commitment after Pickett reached his senior season. Rhule was soon appointed Baylor’s head coach.
“So each party kind of knew what was going to happen at the end of the day, and I’m glad I had the chance to have those interactions with coach Rhule,’’ Pickett said. “He’s a great person.’’