Ikem Ekwonu Named Carolina Panthers Starter at Left Tackle

Former NC State Left Tackle Ikem Ekwonu was selected by the Carolina Panthers with 6th overall pick in the NFL Draft this summer, and they are officially planning to start him at Left Tackle when the season begins.

In the Panthers first preseason game against the Commanders this past weekend, Ekwonu didn’t get the start, Brady Christensen did, who finished last season as the starter at Left Tackle. Carolina Head Coach Matt Rhule said after practice yesterday that he wanted Ekwonu to get in some game action and earn the starting spot.

“We wanted Ickey to play and put him on tape in a game before we put him with the 1’s, and then earn the spot with his play,” Rhule said. “He played well in the game, so these were valuable reps for him.”

Yesterday the Panthers had a joint practice with the Panthers, and Ickey was running with the 1st team offense. When Panther’s Head Coach Matt Rhule was asked if the plan was for Ekwonu to continue on as the starting Left Tackle, he responded with:

“That’s where we are moving forward.” (Link)

When asked about it, Ickey believed that he had earned the spot, and plans on working to keeping it.

“(It) feels like I’ve finally been able to earn my way into that spot,” Ekwonu said. “I look forward to continuing in that role and doing the best I can to keep that spot.”