A unanimous All-American at NC State, Ikem Ekwonu has anchored the Panthers' offensive line since arriving as a top-ten pick in 2022.
Ikem Ekwonu has been a fixture up front for Carolina since the Panthers made him a top-ten selection out of NC State. Known for his power and versatility across the offensive line, he has logged heavy playing time in every season of his career. A torn patellar tendon suffered in the 2025 playoffs now clouds his path back onto the field.
Path to the league
Ekwonu starred at NC State, where he earned unanimous All-American honors and won the Jacobs Blocking Trophy as the best blocker in the ACC in 2021. The Panthers drafted him sixth overall in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft, betting on his rare combination of size and athleticism to hold down a tackle spot for years.
Career highlights
Ekwonu has been a workhorse for Carolina's offensive line, appearing in 64 games across his first four seasons and handling snaps at both left and right tackle. His draft pedigree and college accolades made him one of the most decorated linemen in his class, and he has remained a steady starter through multiple coaching and scheme changes in Carolina.
2025 season recap
Ekwonu played 15 games in 2025, posting a 70.6 overall PFF grade that ranked him in the middle of the pack among qualified tackles. His season ended painfully when he suffered a torn patellar tendon during the Panthers' wild-card playoff loss, an injury that will affect his availability going forward.
Sources
- Wikipedia: Ikem Ekwonu
- Pro Football Reference: Ikem Ekwonu
Player Profile
Background
- Position
- Offensive Tackle
- Group
- offense
- College
- NC State
- Hometown
- Charlotte, NC, USA
- Age
- 25
- Status
- active
