CHARLOTTE – Linebacker Ben Boulware was in the middle of everything for Clemson’s national championship defense. Fred Ross was one of the most productive wide receivers in the SEC.
Neither heard their name called in the 2017 NFL Draft, and both signed with the Panthers as undrafted free agents.
“It’s a very humbling experience going to the very top to now being at the very bottom,” Boulware said after the first rookie minicamp session.
Boulware and Ross have impressive resumes as productive players who played against top-notch competition. But scouts and evaluators questioned if they had the athletic ability needed to succeed at the next level.