NFL Draft Day: How Far Have the Panthers Come?

World-class talent and business will meet in one space to shock the world to it's core. From April 25th to 27th, Detroit will be home to the 2024 NFL draft. The draft will change lives by bringing commerce to the city and the surrounding areas and allowing many young men to fulfill their professional football dreams. The city of River Rouge has snuck its way into the conversation. In recent history, the Panthers have become a national football powerhouse. Many have pursued fine careers after their time at Rouge and have the potential to be affected on draft night. Let's explore what Reggie Pearson Jr, Kamal Hadden, Ruke Orhorhoro, and Coach Corey Parker have been doing on the field leading up to this moment.

Reggie Pearson Jr - Pearson Jr left Rouge to start his journey as a safety for the Wisconsin Badgers. In his first season, he played in one game. He made his debut in a high-energy game against Michigan. The next season Pearson played in all fourteen of the Badgers games. He started in all but one. He finished the year with sixty tackles and a career-high of ten. Texas Tech then became Pearson's stomping grounds. Where he played in twenty-three games and amassed ninety-four tackles. In 2023 Pearson Jr played for the University of Oklahoma and came out with thirty tackles. The numbers do not lie. Throughout his career, Pearson Jr has started 39 of his 53 career games and registered 197 tackles, 9 for loss, four interceptions, five forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, and 11 pass breakups. The Detroit Lions invited Reggie Pearson to participate in their camp specialized for local talent. The ball is in the air. He could land at home, or use his talents across the country.

Kamal Hadden - Hadden started his collegiate career at Independence Community College in Independence Kansas. He earned twenty-one tackles, eight pass breakups, and an interception before settling in at Tennessee. As a sophomore Hadden started in two of the games he played in. He totaled seventeen tackles and an interception that year. Hadden doubled his workload during his junior year as a Volunteer. Playing in nine games and starting in six. Finishing the year with fifty-one tackles and two interceptions. In Hadden's senior year, he was one of the best cornerbacks in the conference. He was top five in the nation and did not allow a pass the entire season. He started in the first seven games of the season before a shoulder injury sat him down early. The NFL ranks Hadden's production score a 71, making him number thirteen in the country. Athleticism a 68, ranking him number twenty among cornerbacks. His total score is set at 72, placing him as a 15th-placed cornerback overall. Hadden is projected to be drafted in round six.

Ruke Orhorhoro - Ruke had a consistent career as a defensive tackle for Clemson that started in 2019 where he earned five tackles his freshman year. In 2020 an injury held him back to only see thirty-three snaps. The next year Ruke earned forty-two tackles, two and a half sacks, and three pass breakups. Over fourteen games and nine starts in 2022. Orhorhoro recorded twenty-eight tackles, four sacks, five pass breakups, and a fumble recovery. Ruke started in every game his senior year and earned second-team All-ACC honors from the College Football Network. Ruke recorded twenty-two tackles, five sacks, and a pass breakup. Ruke has shocked the world with his size and athleticism, according to the NFL, he has a score of eighty-nine and is ranked one among defensive tackles in the combine. Ruke is projected to be drafted in round three. Which will be the highest of any River Rouge draft prospect.

Coach Corey Parker - Since his departure from River Rouge Coach Parker has coached two seasons for the University of Toledo. Parker currently serves as cornerbacks coach for the Rockets. In his 2022 rookie season as a Rockets coach, the team went 9-5. Finishing the season as Mac Champions, and bringing the Boca Raton Bowl up North. Toledo finished the 2023 season with an 11-3 record. Falling short to Miami of Ohio in the Mac Championship game and Wyoming in the Barstool Sports Arizona Bowl.

In his first season at Toledo, Parker mentored sophomore Quinyon Mitchell to multiple All-America honors and a first-team All-MAC selection. Mitchell's twenty-five passes defended led the country. He also came down with five interceptions and a school-record 20 pass breakups in 2022. He set Toledo single-game records with four interceptions and two pick-sixes against Northern Illinois, as well as five pass breakups at Buffalo. Quinyon Mitchell is projected to go within the first few picks of the first round.

The Telegram Newspaper wishes the best of luck to all participants of the NFL Draft. May the city use this opportunity to mix, mingle, have fun, and cherish how far River Rouge has come.