Nic Scourton’s performance in the Carolina Panthers’ preseason game against Cleveland on Friday drew attention for his effort and speed on a key defensive play. During a third-and-13 situation, Cleveland quarterback Shedeur Sanders evaded pressure from Scourton and two other defenders, scrambling 15 yards backward before attempting to reset on the left side of the field.
Scourton described his reaction as the play unfolded: “He broke me off a little bit, so I was kind of pissed off,” Scourton said after the game. “So I kind of want to go get him a little bit.”
As Sanders moved across the field away from another defender, Scourton chased him down, running past an offensive lineman and forcing Sanders out of bounds for what was recorded as a 1-yard sack.
“I love to run to the ball, I like to call myself a high effort guy, so I mean, as I should, I mean the play is still continuing and I got to chase and have that motive,” Scourton said.
According to Next Gen Stats, Scourton covered more ground than any other player during that snap—74.84 yards total—with 65.58 yards coming after the snap and reaching a top speed of 17.43 miles per hour. This was noted as the fastest by any Panthers front-seven player during that play.
Panthers head coach Dave Canales highlighted this moment when reviewing Scourton’s performance: “Probably my favorite Nick Scourton play of the night,” Canales said about the rookie’s sack among his 16 defensive snaps against Cleveland.
“Nic pivoted, ran another 40 yards, chased him, and knocked him out of bounds on a play that could have been a huge run. That’s what we saw on film, that effort, that relentless pursuit.
“I was so excited to just see that show up today because that’s just great football, and so I’m really proud of him for just playing with the kind of effort that we were expecting from him.”
The Panthers selected Scourton in April’s draft based largely on his work ethic shown at Purdue and Texas A&M. However, he acknowledged there are adjustments ahead at this level: “I mean, just how they mess with us in the NFL is ridiculous,” admitted Scourton. “Like lining guys up in our splits, you know, messing with our eyes; especially in this defense, we’re asked to do a lot. It’s just different honestly but I mean it’s good.”
After his first preseason appearance as an NFL rookie, Scourton said he plans to focus even more on studying tape: “I think just formations for me… calling out formations and actually knowing what’s happening…that was one of the biggest things where I was like—I did the same thing in college—and it’s going to work in the NFL.”
The team also drafted Princely Umanmielen in the third round; both rookies are working behind veterans D.J. Wonnum and Patrick Jones II but showed promise during their debut together.
“They take a lot of pride in how they come to work every day. I think (linebackers coach) AC Carter’s doing a great job of giving them a foundational base with technique and what we’re expecting in our schemes,” Canales said.
“I was really fired up to see both guys set great edges for us in the run game…they showed us some pass rush and kept energy up…Princeley and Nic coming in together…they’ve built a good rapport with each other of just pushing each other every day.”
For now, Scourton remains focused on improving alongside teammates: “I mean, I love to get better,” said Scourton. “I love football and I’m just excited for this challenge and this journey that I have ahead of me.”
