Cat Scratch Reader
There are 20 days left until the start of the Carolina Panthers 2025 schedule, so today’s countdown piece is about number 20 in your program, safety Jack Henderson.
Before the Panthers
If you aren’t familiar with the name Jack Henderson it’s because he was among the undrafted rookie free agents the Panthers signed after this year’s NFL Draft.
Henderson began his college career at Southeastern Louisiana and spent three seasons there. Between 2020 and 2022 he appeared in 33 games with 163 tackles, 13 pass breakups, and six interceptions. He was named First Team All-Southland Conference in 2022 after registering 90 tackles and two interceptions.
In 2023 he transferred to Minnesota and in 13 games that year had 59 tackles, five tackles for loss, and two interceptions. In his 2024 senior season he once again played in 13 games with 44 tackles, an impressive nine tackles for loss, and tied for the team lead with six sacks. That’s a remarkable feat for a safety.
He was named Academic All-Big Ten last year, so he’s got some brains to go with the brawn.
His role in Carolina
As a UDFA, the 6-foot-2, 215-pounder has an uphill battle to land on the 53-man roster this year. He’s currently listed as a third-string safety in the Panthers unofficial depth chart. He’s slotted behind projected starter Nick Scott, who started four of 10 games in which he appeared last year for the Panthers, and fellow rookie Lathan Ransom, whom the team drafted in the fourth round this year.
While life as a UDFA is always hard, Henderson finds himself in an opportune situation in Carolina. Nick Scott has been a part-time starter throughout his six-year NFL career, starting 31 of 91 games, so he’s not an entrenched Pro Bowl-caliber player. Lathan Ransom is also a rookie and as a fourth round pick doesn’t get the “halo effect” traditionally enjoyed by players selected on Round 1-3.
While it’s unlikely Jack Henderson makes the 53-man roster in 2025, he could stick on the practice squad given the current makeup of the Panthers safeties room.
