We’re counting down the days until the Panthers open up the 2025 season!
There are 43 days until the first game of the 2025 season for the Carolina Panthers. Today, we’re taking a closer look at the the player currently wearing the No. 43 jersey — cornerback JaTravis Broughton.
An undrafted free agent rookie
As a 24-year old undrafted free agent, Broughton falls on the older side of the Panthers rookie class. He began college as a freshman in 2019 at the University of Utah, where he played for five seasons, including two COVID and injury abbreviated sophomore campaigns in 2020 and 2021. He transferred to TCU for his second senior season in 2024. With only one sack, one interception, and a handful of deflected passes to his credit across all six college seasons, per Sports Reference, Broughton doesn’t present with an obvious niche role as a defensive back
Broughton, as an older rookie with average to below average athleticism, will likely be looking to make a big impact on special teams this offseason. The Panthers are thin in the secondary, opening up room for more surprise players to make the roster there than at almost any other position.
The brief history of 43
The number 43 jersey is not a particularly storied jersey in Panthers history. Only Chris Harris and Fozzy Whitaker have made much of an impact while wearing it.
Harris obviously had a long career as a safety in the league. His three seasons (2007-2009) with the Panthers were early in his eight year NFL career. He also spent three-and-a-half seasons with the Chicago Bears, as well as some time with the Detroit Lions and Jacksonville Jaguars.
Whitaker spent some time with the San Diego Chargers and the Cleveland Browns before finding a four season home with the Panthers from 2014-2017. Rarely a starter, Whitaker mostly stuck around in the hearts of fans due to his enjoyable name and the never-ending nature of running back debates that came through and after the Jonathan Stewart and DeAngelo Willaims Era. Whitaker only totalled 536 yards and two touchdowns on 121 carries in his time with the Panthers.