The Carolina Panthers are adding some serious pass-rushing depth to their roster, and they didn’t have to wait for the draft to do it. According to a report from Justin Melo of Sports Illustrated, the team is signing undrafted free agent Isaiah Smith out of SMU—and it’s a move that could pay off big time.

Smith, a 6-foot-2, 213-pound edge rusher from Washington, D.C., officially passed his physical on Thursday, clearing the way for a three-year, $3.1 million deal. That’s a solid commitment for an undrafted player, and it shows the Panthers believe in his potential to make an immediate impact.

Over four seasons at SMU, Smith was a consistent force off the edge. In 53 games, he racked up 121 total tackles, 23 sacks, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery. But his 2025 season was something special: Smith led the entire ACC with 18 tackles for loss, adding 8.5 sacks to his name. Despite that production, he surprisingly went unselected in the 2026 NFL Draft—a snub that Carolina is now looking to capitalize on.

As rookie minicamp gets underway, the Panthers are rounding out their undrafted free-agent class with a few more names reportedly agreeing to terms. Smith’s signing adds a hungry, productive pass rusher to a defense that’s always looking for ways to get after the quarterback.

Whether you’re suiting up for game day or just hitting the gym, channel that undrafted grit with gear that performs as hard as you do. Stay tuned for more Panthers updates as the roster continues to take shape.