South Charlotte Today

CHARLOTTE—The Carolina Panthers' seven-man rookie draft class has experienced a whirlwind over the past month. Since NFL draft weekend, rookies have moved to Charlotte, gone through rookie minicamp and OTAs, mandatory minicamp, and have now returned to the Queen City for training camp.

As the rookie draft class works through their first offseason, each will take time to reflect on their journey to this point and their time in the league thus far. Three rookies took us along through OTAs and mandatory minicamp, and now the rest of the class will take us along through training camp.

Next up is defensive back Chau Smith-Wade. The Washington State alum was drafted by the Panthers in the fifth round (No. 157 overall).

"My family, we booked an AirB&B, a nice AirB&B house in Colorado. I had a whole lot of family come out, a whole lot of coaches from my youth, times when I played for my youth team. Friends came out, everybody cooked. It was kind of like a barbecue type setting, like a family reunion type setting and we came out, we had fun and day one I obviously wasn't drafted. So everyone came out and it kind of was just a celebration.

"Then day three, I got that call, and it was one of those days where everybody was locked in on the TV because we knew that was the day I was going to get drafted.

"And we were sitting on the couch, sitting next to my mom, sitting next to all of my siblings, sitting next to my dad and grandma. We were kind of just waiting on that call. And as soon as I got that call from coach—I mean Mr. Dave—I got the call from Mr. Tepper and as soon as I got the call, I noticed the area code. So I saw the number; the number wasn't saved in my phone. So I knew right off that that was the team that was going to draft me.

"I was talking to (Coach Canales) and he asked me if I was ready to be a Panther. And I said yeah; let's do it."

In the pre-draft process, potential draftees typically talk to at least half of the teams multiple times. That was also true for Smith-Wade with regard to his interactions with Panthers personnel.

"I was talking to a Panthers scout during Senior Bowl during the NFL Combine and we talked a lot," Smith-Wade said."We talked about my personal background and things of that nature: would I be able to play nickel? Just my plays on the field and what was I thinking during certain plays."

"I actually believe that when I did my interview with them at Senior Bowl it might have been my worst interview," he added."Because when talking with them...I don't know why but I felt so nervous compared [to] speaking with other teams."

Following being drafted players receive their playbooks relatively early on allowing each player an opportunity towards understanding team strategy differently based upon individual learning preferences: big picture versus detailed approaches

Smith-Wade emphasized how initially grasping fundamental concepts such as formations/mantras helped facilitate his learning process across both corner/nickel positions

"The first thing [was] getting down basics—the mindset/defensive unit mantra/fundamentals/formations/play calls," explained Smith-Wade."I didn't know if I'd end up playing nickel/corner here which is ironic since now I'm doing both."

"I'm closer/more active around ball at nickel position either within run fits or guarding receivers," continued Smith-Wade while expressing comfort playing either role after transitioning from college-level cornerback experience

Upon arriving May into Charlotte acclimating not only NFL environment but city/climate proved challenging due significant difference between previous high-elevation regions Colorado/Washington State against humid conditions impacting physical readiness initially causing hamstring strain

"For me adjustment wasn't necessarily NFL mindset rather technique translating onto field alongside dealing climatic changes ensuring proper hydration preventing further injuries"

"Every player has 'Welcome-to-NFL' moment whether tackle/catch/paycheck mine occurred during OTA's guarding Adam Thielen running intricate route marking realization level competition ahead"

"It's fun actually—that’s how describe experience watching teammates fly around absorbing tips/superstars’ routines navigating training camps together,” concluded Smith-Wade enjoying camaraderie/team spirit shared amongst fellow rookies/veterans alike