With the NFL OTA period fully underway, the Carolina Panthers and head coach Dave Canales have begun their quest to defend their NFC South title for the 2026 NFL season.

This offseason, the Panthers did an outstanding job of adding multiple new faces to the franchise, including 2026 first-round pick Monroe Freeling and second-round pick Lee Hunter. And while the newest rookies may help the team for the upcoming season, there’s one rookie who has made a name for himself this offseason.

When asked about which rookies have stood out to him during OTAs, Panthers’ defensive tackle Cam Jackson told The Charlotte Observer’s Mike Kaye that 2026 UDFA defensive end Aaron Hall has been a surprising addition thus far throughout the offseason.

Hall, despite going undrafted in the 2026 NFL Draft, was a difference-maker for the Duke Blue Devils throughout his five years with the program. After having a minimal role on defense in his first two years with the Blue Devils, the Durham, NC native became a key rotational piece in the front four during the 2023 season, finishing with 27 tackles, one and a half sacks, and one forced fumble.

His strong efforts as a redshirt sophomore led to an increase in his playing time at Duke heading into the 2024 college football season, as he nearly doubled his production in the following season. And with one year left of eligibility, Hall made the most out of his time in 2025 by recording a career-high 44 tackles, along with two and a half sacks.

Now, with Hall catching the attention of his fellow teammates this offseason, it’s clear that the former Duke standout could be the next undrafted free agent to shine for the Panthers ahead of the 2026 season. Carolina has done an excellent job of landing impactful UDFAs over the past couple of years, with the most notable name being wide receiver Jalen Coker.

Fortunately for Hall, the Panthers’ pass rush during the 2025 NFL season was one of the worst in the league, as the team finished with 30 sacks. But with the recent addition of former Philadelphia Eagles’ EDGE Jaelon Phillips and the emergance of 2025 second-round pick Nic Scourton, it’s safe to say that Hall would not be in line for a significant role if he makes the roster, but will play a key role as a depth piece for Carolina’s defense in 2026.

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