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Carolina Panthers vet Patrick Jones II unbothered by rookie gunning for his job

Nic Scourton has his eyes set on taking his mentor's job.
Schuyler Callihan|
Aug 8, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Panthers linebacker Patrick Jones II (91) on the sidelines in the second quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
Aug 8, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Panthers linebacker Patrick Jones II (91) on the sidelines in the second quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images | Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

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Carolina Panthers

Following Friday's preseason game against the Cleveland Browns, Carolina Panthers rookie pass rusher Nic Scourton was asked about the mentors he and fellow rookie Princely Umanmielen have in place, such as Pat Jones II and DJ Wonnum.

"“We got lucky. To have two guys who understand we’re trying to go take their job, but want us to be better for the team, and want us to get better. We’re just blessed to have those two guys.”

Scourton certainly impressed in his debut, especially on the play where he chased Shedeur Sanders down from one side of the field to the other and knocked him out of bounds, preventing an explosive play.

Following Monday's practice, Pat Jones II was asked about Scourton's comments about gunning for his job and gave the perfect response, providing a little laugh.

“That’s part of the game. That’s how he should think. That’s how his mindset should be. Of course, I’m not going to let that happen, but for sure, you want that competitive edge in the room, and when everyone’s competing like that, it just makes the whole room better. I sit beside both of them in meetings, and any chance I can get, I help them out when I can and answer all the questions that they got.”

Panthers GM Dan Morgan felt comfortable with Jones and Wonnum in addition to the pickup of Tershawn Wharton, but you can never have enough pass rushers. Wonnum is entering a contract year, Jones is here through 2026, and Wharton through 2027, so the thinking is that by double-dipping on pass rushers in the draft, they'll find a long-term answer (or two) there.

After a breakout year with Purdue in 2023, Scourton, formerly known as Nic Caraway, transferred to Texas A&M, where he proved he could do it in the best conference in football, logging 37 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, and five sacks.

As for Umanmielen, he increased his numbers across the board every year he was at Florida and then in his one and only season with Ole Miss, where he totaled 37 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, and 10.5 sacks.

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Schuyler Callihan
SCHUYLER CALLIHAN

Schuyler Callihan is the publisher of West Virginia On SI and has been a trusted source covering the Mountaineers since 2016. He is the host of Between The Eers, The Walk Thru Game Day Show, and In the Gun Podcast. The Wheeling, WV native moved to Charlotte, North Carolina in 2020 to cover the Charlotte Hornets and Carolina Panthers.