Texas A&M's 2025 roster should be considered one of the best in program history after a record-tying 10 players were selected in the 2026 NFL Draft, including star cornerback Will Lee III, who was picked in the fourth round by the Carolina Panthers and has already made a significant impact with the franchise during the early part of his rookie campaign.
In three games, Lee has 13 tackles and leads the Panthers and NFL rookies with four pass deflections, an area where he excelled in college at Kansas State and Texas A&M because of his elite length and impact as a boundary corner.
Carolina's secondary is now dealing with injury issues, including starting cornerbacks Jaycee Horn and Mike Jackson Jr., who were placed on the injured reserve list and will
miss at least the next four games, meaning Will Lee is fully expected to enter the starting lineup vs. Detroit in Charlotte for Sunday's afternoon matchup.
Will Lee's first NFL game against Chicago shouldn't factor into this conversation, as the former Texas A&M star earned an impressive Pro Football Focus 78.6 coverage grade vs. Atlanta, allowed zero touchdowns, and allowed just a combined 57 yards against the Falcons and Cleveland last Sunday.
Length is everything for cornerbacks' future success in the NFL, and given Lee's willingness to learn from his mistakes and improve, I have zero doubt he'll take full advantage of his starting opportunity on Sunday.
The Panthers are placing CBs Jaycee Horn (quad) and Mike Jackson Jr. (groin) on IR.
— SleeperNFL (@SleeperNFL) September 30, 2026
Brutal. pic.twitter.com/K6uQ8C0kbG
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This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: Former Texas A&M CB in line to start for the Carolina Panthers
