Kansas State center Sam Hecht wasn't supposed to fall as far as he did in the 2026 NFL Draft. But the team that found him probably doesn't mind.
And that team was the Carolina Panthers, who selected Hecht in the draft's fifth round on Saturday afternoon. The first-team All-Big 12 member, soon after the announcement, was asked about his unexpected slide while talking with local reporters.
"Yeah, I was a little surprised," Hecht stated. "I was kinda hearing I would be third round or early Day 3. But everything happens for a reason. God has a plan. So I'm just excited, thrilled to get to work."
Hecht certainly got to work for the Wildcats in 2024 and 2025, as he was charged with zero sacks over 796 pass-blocking snaps. This past season, he earned an 80.3 offensive grade from Pro Football Focus—the fourth-highest amongst all centers in the nation.
The 23-year-old, who was originally a walk-on at Manhattan, may now be walking into a competition for the starting center job in Carolina. Hecht could end up battling veteran and free-agent signee Luke Fortner this summer to fill the void left by the departure of Cade Mays.
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This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: 2026 NFL Draft: Panthers pick Sam Hecht 'surprised' by his draft slide