The Carolina Panthers are swinging big in their search for talent, and not necessarily from the football field.
On Monday, the team announced the signing of Colin Granger, a 6-foot-9 former college basketball player with no prior football experience. The move, while eye-opening, isn’t without precedent, but it certainly raised some eyebrows.
Granger spent five years playing college basketball at Ohio, Western Carolina, and Coastal Carolina. He now plans to trade the hardwood for the gridiron. At Coastal, he averaged 7.2 points and 4.4 rebounds in under 18 minutes per game. The Panthers announced this as Granger’s “first foray into football.”
His signing appears to be a long-shot developmental move, not an immediate roster upgrade.
The #Panthers are signing Coastal Carolina power forward Colin Granger — a 6’9”, 225-pound basketball player — to a contract to play tight end. He’s making the jump from the hardwood to the gridiron. pic.twitter.com/rapZHsvZSJ
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) April 7, 2025
Fans React To The Surprise Panthers’ Signing
While the Panthers clearly see untapped potential in Granger’s size and athleticism, fans were quick to weigh in on what some see as a curious gamble. Reactions flooded social media after the announcement, ranging from amusement to skepticism.
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One fan bluntly summed up the surprise move, saying, “My boy really got signed to the Panthers after not playing football since 7th grade.”
My boy really got signed to the panthers after not playing football since 7th grade😭
— Jordan Winston (@Jordan_Winston5) April 7, 2025
Another chimed in, “Such a Carolina thing to do,” hinting at what some perceive as the team’s pattern of unconventional decisions. The criticism didn’t stop there.
such a Carolina thing to do.
— Nosferatu_on_Acid (@nosferatu_616) April 7, 2025
A commenter wrote, “Another example of NBA rejects getting signed to the NFL with little experience lol,” echoing widespread fan criticism.
Another example of NBA rejects getting signed to the NFL with little experience lol
— Mr Positivity (@Caleb_M2034) April 7, 2025
Despite the backlash, there is historical context behind the experiment. Basketball-to-tight-end transitions have worked before, with legends like Antonio Gates and Tony Gonzalez finding great success in the NFL. However, both of those stars had at least some football background—unlike Granger, who enters the NFL as a complete newcomer to the sport.
Granger joins a crowded tight end room that includes Tommy Tremble, Ja’Tavion Sanders, and Jordan Matthews. Fans will closely watch to see if the Panthers’ bet on raw athleticism pays off.
Also Read: Carolina Panthers Sign 3-Time Pro Bowl QB In Surprise Move
