We’re down to single digits in our countdown towards the Carolina Panthers season opener. It’s now under a week away. With just days left, our countdown piece is focused on the player wearing the number 3 jersey: outside linebacker Princely Umanmielen
The 77th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft changed jersey numbers yesterday and is now set to wear the number 3 jersey this season. The Ole Miss product is more of a pass rushing specialist than a complete, edge setting defender just yet, but the Panthers
have high hopes about the 23-year old rookie’s ability to develop alongside fellow rookie linebacker Nic Scourton.
We’re expecting to see Umanmielen feature early on in obvious passing situations, so don’t be shocked if you see D.J. Johnson rotating in ahead of him in short yardage situations. That won’t be an indictment of Umanmielen’s potential. Let’s remember he’s a rookie who is still getting his feet wet.
The number 3 jersey has a long history of being worn by backups for the Panthers, including Matt Moore, Derek Anderson, Will Grier, and, most recently, Raheem Blackshear. Here’s to hoping Umanmielen breaks from that legacy and makes the number his own.
