Cat Scratch Reader
The man who holds BYU’s all-time touchdowns record for a tight end could help Bryce Young find paydirt.
Like many of you, in addition to being a Panthers fan I’m also passionate about college football. I’m a lifelong fanatic and graduate of BYU so I have an admitted bias in wanting the Panthers to draft guys coming out of beautiful Provo, Utah.
Because I watch BYU football I’ve amassed a solid track record of predicting which Cougars will succeed in the NFL. In previous years I’ve advocated for the Panthers to draft running back Jamaal Williams (2017), All-Pro linebacker Fred Warner (2018), starting linebacker Sione Takitaki (2019), and the Panthers very own guard Brady Christensen (2021).
Last year I was torn between tackle Blake Freeland and wide receiver Puka Nacua. I went with Freeland as the safe pick because of BYU’s solid track record of producing quality offensive lineman, and he did play in 16 games with nine starts for the Indianapolis Colts last year. But like every other NFL scout, I whiffed on how special Nacua would be in the pros and he set the league on fire last year.
Despite last year’s Puka oversight, here’s my unsolicited advice to GM Dan Morgan and the Panthers front office in the 2024 draft:
TE Isaac Rex - Projected seventh round or UDFA
The Carolina Panthers desperately need tight ends who can produce in the passing game.
Enter Isaac Rex.
Rex is projected to be a seventh round pick or to go undrafted. Despite this low profile I think he can make an NFL roster and even contribute. The Panthers would be wise to take a Day 3 flier on him or immediately sign him as a UDFA if he isn’t drafted.
The 6-foot-5, 250-pound Rex has a particular knack for finding the end zone, something the Panthers need after Bryce Young threw just 11 touchdowns last year. Rex set BYU’s career touchdowns record for a tight end with 24, so the man knows how to find paydirt. He’s a smart route runner who finds open spaces.
During his BYU career he recorded 112 receptions for 1,385 yards despite being noticeably hampered by a surgically-repaired ankle throughout the entire 2022 season. BYU joined the Big 12 in 2023 and Rex responded with 34 receptions for 422 yards and three touchdowns, making him one of the more productive tight ends in the conference.
Rex has incredible hands. If he can touch it, he’s going to catch it.
If you’ve never seen Isaac in action, take two minutes to watch the highlight video below. His 28-yard touchdown against Oregon, one-handed catch against Arkansas, and red zone score against Oklahoma demonstrate his versatility.
In the highlights against Kansas the commentator refers to Isaac Rex as “Mister Reliable” then later as a “security blanket.” Those are apt descriptions. From the Carolina context, the Panthers tight end room is completely lacking a player who can act as a reliable security blanket for Bryce Young. Isaac Rex...
