The Carolina Panthers went right back to the trenches on Day 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft.

With the 144th overall pick, the Panthers grabbed Kansas State center Sam Hecht. The selection was acquired in an earlier trade with the Chicago Bears—which also sent Pick No. 129 (Texas A&M cornerback Will Lee III) to Carolina in exchange for Picks No. 124 and 166.

Hecht, one of the highest-ranked centers of this year's class, played all five of his collegiate campaigns for the Wildcats. He ended his tenure in Manhattan as a first-team All-Big 12 member in 2025, where he made 12 starts in the middle.

The 6-foot-4, 303-pounder could compete for the Panthers' starting center job against free-agent signee Luke Fortner.

After their selection of Hecht, the Panthers now have two picks remaining—No. 158 (fifth round) and No. 200 (sixth round).

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This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: 2026 NFL Draft: Panthers select Kansas State C Sam Hecht at 144