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What they're saying about Ikem Ekwonu to the Carolina Panthers

MattCarterby:Matt Carter•04/28/22•

TheWolfpacker

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(Photo by David Becker/Getty Images)

NC State All-American left tackle Ikem Ekwonu was taken with the sixth overall pick of the NFL Draft by the Carolina Panthers, the hometown team of the Charlotte native.

Here is a sample of what said in the immediate aftermath of Ekwonu’s selection.

Ikem Ekwonu To Carolina Panthers

“This was the best-case scenario for us. I can’t say that we ever thought this would happen. We were pleasantly surprised with how it went. The Giants, we didn’t know what they were going to do in that situation with all three [offensive tackles] on the board. We thought they could go pass rusher at that point and not tackle and still get one of the three at seven. Overall we were very excited. Can’t wait for Ickey to get here.” — Carolina Panthers GM Scott Fitterer

“He’s a tone-setter. He’s a smart guy. He’s physical, he’s tough. He’s got every trait that you want in an offensive lineman.” — Fitterer

“He’s a person that’s going to step into this locker room and players are going to respect the way that he plays but also who he is. I think that visit was one of the best things I’ve ever been a part of. We walked away and was like, ‘Wow, that’s a grown man.’” — Carolina Panthers coach Matt Rhule

“This was about getting an impact player. We felt like Ickey was an impact player. I think Scott and I probably sat there and went through like 50 scenarios and not very many of them had him still being available.” — Rhule

“I had [Ekwonu] at two on the big board behind Aidan Hutchinson. You talk about entertaining offensive tackles to watch, in the history of me doing this which is about 45 years, this kid is right up there to me at near the top of the list. He just destroys people. He plays an aggressive brand of football. He plays up to the whistle. This kid really came ready to play every week. The improvement came as a pass blocker. We knew he could drive defenders off the ball, take them out of the stadium. We knew he could do that.

“Could he protect the quarterback? Could he mirror in pass protection? He was a great technician this year. … He showed tremendous ability keeping defensive ends from the quarterback. That improvement signaled to me he could be a great pro right away. He’s got long arms. He’s 6-4, 310, ran 4.9 40. The technician he is this year, I have to credit the coaching staff. They really turned him this year into a more complete player.” — ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr.

“I love this pick. [Ekwonu] was my third best player in this entire draft. Thought he was the best tackle and that was a screaming need for the Carolina Panthers.” — NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah

“He’s got the hands of a heavyweight and the feet of a lightweight. Was around Jason Peters of the Philadelphia Eagles, [Ekwonu] has that type of athleticism, that type of movement. … Once he gets his hands on you, it’s over. … Get him up to the second level and watch bodies go flying with Ickey Ekwonu.” — Jeremiah

“What I like about [Ekwonu] here, we know he is a road grader in the running game, so Christian McCaffrey is going to love that. He is going to continue to get better in the passing game and help them overall.” — NFL Network’s Charles Davis

“You got a violent, athletic, physical run blocker and a great pass setter. This guy is a special talent. When you watch him, a big guy should not move that quick and easy.” — Stanford coach David Shaw on NFL Network

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