Offense
The quarterback room returns Cameran Brown, performed well when healthy last season. The offense needs his dual threat ability and strong arm. Merrimack transfer Aydan Pereira is a great compliment to Brown, as they do a lot of the same things. The scheme does not need to change much with either guy.
The running back room has been high on potential and low on production. The additions of Jylen Poe (Northern Illinois), Savion Hart (Georgetown), Lanear McCrary Jr. (D2 Shorter), and freshmen Ladainnian Martin and Xavier Butler are big. McCrary rushed for 1,100 yards last season.
The wide receiver room lost NFL 3rd Round Draft pick Ted Hurst. The return of DJ Riles, Grant Hollier, Kyle Washington, and Derrick Avery Jr. provide some weapons. The additions of Isaiah Stone (LSU), Chase Allen-Jackman (D2 Washburn), Owen Dupree (West Georgia), Rodshawn Dorsey (D2 Erskine), and TE Matt Buron (Fordham) should contribute.
The offensive line room returns three starters in Tyhler Williams, DeAndre Duffus, and Donovan Funsch. The additions of Jordan Brown (Arizona), Kelton Smith Jr. (Georgia), Deylin Hasert (Iowa State), Marcus Mascoll (Florida), Gage Stanaland (Oklahoma State), Connor Jones (Michigan), and Peter Diaz (D2 Shippensburg) are huge.
Defense
The defensive line room returns experience in Jabriel Rhodes-Nelson and Richard Kramer. The additions of AJ Vaughns (JUCO), Kelze Howard (Oregon State), Mandjou Berte (D2 Wingate), and Xavier Esquillen (D2 Savannah State) are massive for this unit.
The linebacker room returns experience in Kelan Butler, Coby Owens, and Chandler Covington. The additions of Jaydan Hood (Michigan), Brad Menhorn (D3 Mount St Joseph), Ryan Green (D2 Wingate), Jaden Kelly (Kennesaw State), and Eric Butler (JUCO) are substantial.
The secondary returns Deuce Walker, Derrick Maxey III, and Kyle Veasley. The additions of Tre Mittman (North Carolina A&T), Deuce Lee (Monmouth), Toby Bolton (Tennessee Tech), Andre Jocelyn (D2 Benedict), Darius Johnson Jr. (Gardner-Webb), and Braylon Alexander (D2 Washburn), among others, are meaningful.
Specialists
Punting duties will belong to Christian Teeter, a transfer from D2 Wingate. Kicking duties will belong to either Marist transfer Samer Layours or true freshman Balint Vorosmarty.
2026 Schedule
- 9/4 North Carolina A&T
- 9/12 at Kennesaw State
- 9/19 at UCF
- 9/26 Northern Illinois
- 10/3 Old Dominion
- 10/17 at James Madison
- 10/24 at Arkansas State
- 10/31 Coastal Carolina
- 11/7 at App State
- 11/14 Georgia Southern
- 11/21 at Marshall
- 11/28 Louisiana
Final Analysis
The Panthers have struggled in recent years. Dell McGee has recruited extremely well but is has not translated to wins on the field. The schedule is significantly better, with no more SEC programs. Can new faces and coaches, lead to more victories and consistency is the question.
