As the NFL draft approaches, the last group of college football “super seniors” is preparing to make the transition to professional football. These players benefited from an extra year of eligibility granted due to disruptions caused by COVID-19 in 2020, resulting in some athletes spending up to seven years in college programs.
Joe Fagnano, a 26-year-old quarterback who played at Maine and Connecticut, is among this group. Reflecting on his journey, Fagnano said: “I don’t know how many people know my story, but I don’t think there’s a lot of people that would kind of be in my shoes if they didn’t, or to go through the journey that I’ve gone through to be here. I think it just speaks volumes.” He added: “In 2019, I started college, and it was like a 75 percent scholarship to go to University of Maine. Wasn’t highly recruited, and then COVID happened, injury, transfer, get the starting job at an FBS school, injury right away, so just a bunch of adversity to go through, and then the year after that, put into a backup role after being a starter for a couple of years. And then able to put it all together this final year.
“But it’s just the bumps in the road, and it’s kind of made me who I am. I definitely wouldn’t change it one bit at all. I’m thankful for the journey. It’s got me where I am. It’s made me who I am, and I’m proud of it.”
Joey Aguilar is another experienced quarterback entering the draft after playing at four different schools before finishing his career at Tennessee. Aguilar explained his decision-making process about staying another year: “The short time I was at Tennessee, being in that offense for one more season and get a full offseason to work with those coaches, I thought would put me in a really good situation for next year.” Discussing his choice to play through a shoulder injury rather than undergo surgery during his final season he said: “If you got one time to play at Tennessee, there’s no backing down,” adding later: “So you know, I just played through it, put the team first, and carried on through the season.
“Some games were better than others but definitely my arm was weaker going into a lot of games last year due to the amount of throwing in games and practice…but definitely was hurting a lot.”
Aguilar also told reporters he recently had surgery on his shoulder which will prevent him from participating as a thrower at this year’s NFL combine.
These veteran quarterbacks offer teams like the Carolina Panthers potential value as backup options behind younger starters such as Bryce Young. General manager Dan Morgan has indicated interest in developing young quarterbacks behind established starters—a strategy supported by both experience and adaptability found among these super seniors.
Fagnano described what makes an effective backup quarterback: “I think somebody that can still be a leader in that role even though there might be a guy ahead of you…Preparation doesn’t change whether you’re first string second string or third string…A lot of it’s just mental preparation whether that’s in the film room or if you’re standing back behind the play…”
Aguilar pointed out how learning new systems helped him prepare for changing roles: “It just shows how well I can learn and how well I take that preparation seriously…the dedication to go in there and work like you are the starter because…next man mentality is always true…”
Statistically both players performed well when called upon—Aguilar ranked 12th nationally with over 3,500 passing yards while Fagnano posted one interception against 28 touchdowns last season.
Fagnano reflected on handling adversity: “Something that I’ve definitely learned throughout my career is adversity is going to hit failure is part of it…It’s not about maybe wins and losses although that’s what we’re graded on
“It’s how do you come back from those losses and how do you become better from that? Are you going let adversity just kind of be end your story or you’re going come out on other side…”
Linebacker Sonny Styles from Ohio State also drew attention during combine workouts with impressive athletic performances including top vertical jump marks since 2003 for players his size according to NFL.com.
Draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah commented: “I would say if somehow league was dumb enough for Sonny Styles fall (to No.19) Dan Morgan would lose his linebacker card if he didn’t run pick up there…” However Jeremiah noted Styles may not be available when Carolina selects unless they trade up.
The topic of Name Image Likeness (NIL) compensation was discussed by Panthers general manager Dan Morgan regarding its impact on player readiness for financial responsibilities:
“I don’t really look at NIL as bad thing,” Morgan said. “I think NIL is actually somewhat good thing because gives us little bit snapshot guy what he’s like with money…So tells you lot about somebody so if anything think it’s really valuable for us.”
TCU safety Bud Clark agreed NIL has prepared athletes financially before entering pro ranks stating: “Because fact you’re getting lot money at one point time depending on how much what you’re doing for your team so feel like helps more…
“You need do your taxes,” Clark added humorously. “And I got CPA for that so feel like it’s pretty good.”
The Carolina Panthers have secured multiple division titles along with playoff appearances throughout their history while maintaining strong community outreach efforts across North Carolina and South Carolina regions.
Home games are held in downtown Charlotte where fans can purchase tickets ranging from single-game seats up through premium experiences via their official website. The organization continues emphasizing championship culture alongside philanthropy within local communities across both states.
