We’re counting down the days until the Panthers open up the 2025 season!
In this series, we’ll be counting down until opening kickoff by running through the Carolina Panthers roster by jersey number. Today’s piece looks at the player wearing No. 75, defensive end Jared Harrison-Hunte.
An impressive – and lengthy – college career
The 6-foot-4, 294-pounder joined the Panthers this year as part of the team’s 2025 crop of undrafted free agents. He enters the NFL with six seasons of college football already under his belt. He spent five seasons with the Miami Hurricanes appearing in 42 games with 78 tackles, 21 tackles for loss, and nine sacks.
Harrison-Hunte entered the transfer portal after the 2023 season and spent last year with the SMU Mustangs. In his only season at SMU he appeared in 14 games and registered career highs with 42 tackles, nine tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, and his first (and only) college interception. He was a stalwart on an SMU defense that went 11-3 last year and finished the season ranked No. 12 in the country.
The physical tools to succeed as a UDFA
While UDFAs are longshots to make the roster, Harrison-Hunte has the right physical tools. According to his Relative Athletic Score, his speed grade is considered “elite”, his explosion grade is “great”, and his agility grade is “okay”. Put it all together and his RAS score of 9.2 means he’s in the 92nd percentile for athleticism among NFL defensive ends.
The NFL’s prospect grade puts him in the range as an average backup or special teamer, which is just fine for a UDFA.
Jaren Harrison-Hunte helped SMU achieve great things last year.
Let’s see if he can take that magic with him to the NFL.