The Carolina Panthers haven’t made significant strides in upgrading the offensive weapons surrounding quarterback Bryce Young this offseason. Instead, Dan Morgan has understandably prioritized addressing a defense that was a persistent issue last season, delivering historically poor results.
There’s still a possibility Morgan will look to improve the offense during the 2025 NFL Draft. Before that happens, however, the Panthers made an unexpected and unconventional move that caught the attention of many around the league.
Carolina announced the signing of Colin Granger, a former Division I basketball player, who is now attempting a transition to football as a tight end. The catch? Granger has no actual football experience prior to this opportunity.
Granger is familiar with the region, having played college basketball at both Western Carolina and Coastal Carolina as a center. Standing at 6-foot-9 with a notable wingspan, he certainly has intriguing physical traits—but that alone won’t be enough to succeed in the NFL.
Panthers Take a Gamble on Colin Granger
Despite his inexperience, Granger has reportedly drawn interest from multiple teams after dedicating himself to learning the game in recent months. Carolina evidently saw potential worth exploring. Following the announcement, Granger took to social media to share an inspirational message with those who have followed his journey.
“Anything, and I mean anything, in life that you want to do, you can do. And do not let a single (expletive) tell you anything else. A month ago, I was playing college basketball. My last game was on March 4th. Now, I’m a Carolina Panther. Anything is possible.”
— Colin Granger
This move is undoubtedly a long shot. The Panthers likely aren’t expecting Granger to break into the rotation right away. However, with a current opening at the third-string tight end spot behind Ja’Tavion Sanders and Tommy Tremble, the door is slightly ajar.
That situation could shift depending on what the Panthers do in the draft, where more polished tight end prospects with higher ceilings are available. Granger will need to prove himself quickly when the competition intensifies over the summer.
He’s starting from square one. Impressing in drills is one thing—competing against seasoned NFL players and hungry rookies is something else entirely.
This is going to be a steep learning curve for Granger. While he’s shown enough raw potential to earn a shot, what lies ahead will determine whether he can truly stick in the NFL.
History has seen basketball players successfully transition to football—Antonio Gates being one of the most notable examples among tight ends. Panthers icon Julius Peppers also starred in both sports at UNC before building a Hall of Fame football career.
Expecting Granger to follow in those footsteps would be both unfair and unrealistic. For now, he’ll have the chance to develop at his own pace, with the hope of eventually climbing the depth chart. It’s going to be a tough road, but he’s officially in the mix.
His progress will be one of the more intriguing subplots as the Panthers gear up for the upcoming season.