-
David Newton
CHARLOTTE, N. C. — Carolina Panthers defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero just lately confirmed his gamers {a photograph} of finish Tershawn “Turk” Wharton carrying a inexperienced No. 1 jersey returning a fumble 53 yards for a landing on the Missouri College of Science and Expertise.
“Everyone was, ‘Who’s that?’ ” Wharton recalled with a chuckle. “Just a few walked as much as me and mentioned, ‘What faculty was that?’ ”
Evero used the image as a result of he’s attempting to show a protection that ranked final within the NFL final season into one thing particular — and Wharton is a superb instance. He went undrafted in 2020 after taking part in at an obscure Division II faculty then went on to win a number of Tremendous Bowls as a key contributor with the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs.
His rags-to-riches story is vital not just for undrafted gamers attempting to make the roster, it is vital for the message Evero desires to share along with his whole group.
“Simply letting them know that something is feasible, however it takes time and it takes exhausting work,” Wharton instructed ESPN.
In an ideal world, Wharton would have remained in Kansas Metropolis, the place he received two Tremendous Bowls and went to 4. However the Chiefs reportedly could not match Carolina’s provide of a three-year, $45.05 million contract that included $30.25 million assured with the opportunity of one other $9 million in incentives.
So after placing up a career-high 8.5 sacks for the NFL’s fourth-ranked protection in 2024, Wharton went to the league’s worst protection, which tallied an NFL-low 36 sacks.
Evero could not be happier.
“If you first meet him, he is bought a presence about him,” Evero mentioned. “He is bought an aura about him. You watch him within the classroom, he is a notetaker. He is into it on a regular basis within the weight room, on the sphere.
“And we all know that he is coming from a spot that has a extremely nice tradition, and that performed a extremely good protection, particularly on the D-line.”
It is that profitable tradition Evero is attempting to construct. It is a tradition coach Dave Canales is attempting to ascertain all through a company that has endured seven straight shedding seasons.
Wharton already sees indicators that may occur. He even sees some issues in Carolina quarterback Bryce Younger (regardless of a 6-22 profession report) that he noticed in Kansas Metropolis’s Patrick Mahomes, the three-time Tremendous Bowl champion and two-time NFL MVP.
“They each have a little bit vibe,” Wharton mentioned. “It isn’t too uppity. They’re cool guys. They’re relaxed. Some folks stroll into the locker room and do not feel they will discuss to the quarterbacks. When Bryce is round, he talks to all people. Patrick did the identical factor. He wasn’t standoffish. Everyone may discuss to him.”
Panthers coach Dave Canales loves the keenness of the protection after the interception to finish apply. pic.twitter.com/c9P8H8ssit
— David Newton (@DNewtonespn) June 3, 2025
Wharton is right here as a result of the Panthers had been outbid in free company by the New England Patriots for former Philadelphia Eagles defensive lineman Milton Williams. Carolina introduced him in due to the affect he can have on youthful gamers and for a run protection that final 12 months was the third worst in NFL historical past, permitting 3,057 yards.
“It is only a mentality, man,” mentioned Wharton, who performed for a protection final season that ranked eighth in opposition to the run. “Do not let a person dominate you along with his recreation. That is what we’re coming to do. Everyone in that room and on that protection is aware of it’ll cease.”
Like the skin linebackers, the place place coach AC Carter paired a veteran with a younger participant in assembly rooms, the defensive position is doing the identical factor. Wharton has taken fifth-round defensive deal with Cam Jackson beneath his wing.
He reveals him the whole lot from easy methods to “are available in every morning” to the work ethic it took him to persevere as an undrafted rookie and once more after struggling a torn ACL in his third season.
“I perceive,” Wharton mentioned. “Simply displaying these younger guys easy methods to transition. With the ability to present them the best way, on and off the sphere, on easy methods to do issues and set up that tradition of profitable.”
Wharton’s previous consistently drives him. He was one among 46 Division II gamers who had been on an NFL roster final season. He’s the third one on the Panthers’ roster now, becoming a member of large receiver Adam Thielen (Minnesota State) and David Moore (East Central).
Wharton had an excellent more durable highway than them, since he needed to make the Chiefs’ roster throughout COVID-19 when there weren’t preseason video games and offseason exercises as a proving floor. After the ACL harm in 2022, Wharton needed to show himself once more.
“My story is a little bit completely different,” mentioned Wharton, nicknamed “Turk” early in his soccer profession as a result of folks mentioned it appeared like he had turkey legs.
In response to the college web site, Wharton is the one participant from Missouri College of Science and Expertise (previously often called the Missouri Faculty of Mines and Missouri Tech) to make an NFL roster within the fashionable period (since 1970).
He wears that badge with honor.
“After all, all of us dream of getting our title known as within the draft,” Wharton mentioned. “It isn’t such as you failed or something, however yeah, you undoubtedly need to go show your self.”
Wharton has already proved to be a participant Evero is relying on to assist Professional Bowl finish Derrick Brown, who’s coming off a season-ending knee harm, and A’Shawn Robinson anchor the rebuilt defensive entrance.
Having Brown again will make the protection higher. However having extra items round him — reminiscent of free agent acquisitions Wharton, nostril deal with Bobby Brown III, edge rusher Pat Jones II and security Tre’Von Moehrig — will make Evero’s job simpler.
“This man has a function in the whole lot that he does,” Evero mentioned of Wharton. “And it is actually, actually spectacular to look at. … So it is nice so as to add guys like that who can carry that have, that mentality and that work ethic.”
