The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1506671
38 ■ THE WOLFPACKER BY MATT CARTER hen you are the No. 6 overall pick in the NFL Draft and fol- low that up with a largely successful first season, start- ing every game at the crucial position of left tackle, expectations tend to in- crease. Such is the case for Carolina Panthers second-year offensive lineman Ikem "Ickey" Ekwonu, a former NC State con- sensus All-American. In May, NFL.com analyst Bucky Brooks placed Ekwonu on his NFL All- Breakout Team, noting that Ekwonu "showed flashes of brilliance as a 17-game starter in Year 1. From his ability to maul defenders as a run blocker to his anchor and mirror skills in pass protection, Ekwonu displayed the raw tools that made him the No. 6 overall pick in last year's draft. Now it's about providing consistent dominance. W 2023 NFL PREVIEW THE HE NEXT NEXT STEP EP Ikem Ekwonu Hopes To Emerge As Breakout Player In Second Pro Season Ekwonu started all 17 games for the Carolina Panthers last season after his selection with the No. 6 overall pick the previous April. Going into Year 2 of Ekwonu's NFL career, coach Frank Reich has said the former consensus All-American has a chance to be 'one of the true anchors to our offensive line.' PHOTO COURTESY CAROLINA PANTHERS