Conner Lew, a center prospect at this year’s NFL combine, shared how his journey began with an unexpected request from his high school coach to try snapping the football. “My head coach was like, ‘Hey, like can you snap a football?’ And I was like, ‘Well, I’ve never tried, but you know it’s good timing. We’re on bye. I’ll go down to the beach,” Lew said during Saturday’s offensive line media session.
Lew recounted practicing on thick Gulf sand with family members. “You’re trying to snap; there’s no friction. I mean, snapping on sand obviously is a lot more—I don’t know if it’s harder, but it’s a lot different than snapping on turf or grass,” he recalled. His brother acted as quarterback while his uncle played defense in their impromptu drills. “It made it a lot more difficult on the sand, but I mean that’s one of my favorite stories to tell because that’s where it all started.”
Now considered one of the top centers in this year’s draft by Pro Football Focus, Lew focuses on details and leadership. “I emphasize the small details when it comes to the mental side of the game,” he explained. He added that being able to manage calls and protections helps ease pressure on teammates: “Being able to take the load off the quarterback, the guard, just allows them to handle the other part and control the calls, protection, alert calls in the run game, stuff like that, that’s what I take pride in.”
Despite suffering a torn ACL in October 2025, Lew expressed confidence about returning for training camp after discussions with doctors. He said chemistry with new quarterbacks comes through practice: “As simple as it sounds, it’s just preparation and repetition, practicing, just finding the small things that get you guys on the same page faster.”
He described himself as ready for NFL responsibilities: “As soon as we break the huddle, they know Connor Lew is their center. He’s got the box under control. He’s got the calls down,” he promised.
Markel Bell spoke about leaving Cleveland, Mississippi for Miami and his drive to succeed: “I always tell myself I can’t go back to my hometown to Mississippi without no receipts,” Bell stated at Saturday’s combine session.
Bell referenced others from his town who reached the NFL and emphasized his goal of supporting family: “I want to take care of my family. I want to build an empire as well too.” Meeting Carolina Panthers general manager Dan Morgan—also from Miami—helped him feel comfortable during interviews: “I feel even more confident going to the interview and just knowing I have a Miami Hurricane that comes from where I just came from… so it’s cool.”
Offensive lineman Trey Zuhn commented on Nic Scourton’s potential after Scourton transferred from Purdue to Texas A&M: “I knew the sky was the limit for him,” Zuhn said. He praised Scourton’s abilities shown during practice sessions together: “He was just an awesome motor… I just loved battling against him every single day.” Scourton went on to become a significant contributor for Carolina after being drafted last year.
The transition from college rivalries into professional locker rooms also drew discussion among prospects such as Auburn lineman Dillon Wade and Georgia tackle Micah Morris regarding working alongside former rivals like Alabama quarterback Bryce Young. Wade reflected: “I think we can set aside our differences? I don’t know.” Morris responded: “It’s a professionalism. So he’s my quarterback. I’m protecting with my life just like he was (Georgia QB) Gunner (Stockton).” Jeremiah Wright added that rivalry takes second place once playing professionally: “Just kind of being out there… building that bond and relationship with those guys.”
For player development methods off-field preparation is key among Georgia players like Morris—who detailed weightlifting milestones—and Monroe Freeling—who practices yoga introduced by his mother during COVID lockdowns for flexibility and injury prevention.
“Honestly, yoga just really helps with injury prevention… getting comfortable in compromising positions and just being flexible,” Freeling explained.
The Carolina Panthers have had multiple division titles and playoff appearances according to their official website. The team plays home games in downtown Charlotte according to its official site and supports community outreach throughout North and South Carolina as highlighted online. The franchise provides season tickets along with premium fan experiences according to its official information while emphasizing championship culture alongside philanthropic efforts across both states.
